Rebuilding from the foundation up
Pastors find a place in my prayers every day, both those known to me and the many who are not. Pastoral ministry..
Cultivate
“A garden’s a prideful thing!” When he spoke those words, this parishioner and I were gazing upon his rows of vegetables. Leafy..
What’s right about Second Presbyterian Church?
Second Presbyterian Church — Waynesboro, Virginia We’re a small church with a membership of about 70 located in a low income, transient..
Thanksgiving 2020: Give thanks for those who have helped us weather this pandemic
Scarcity, rather than abundance, may strike many as the keynote of Thanksgiving 2020, given the absence of family and friends who are..
Spend the holidays with your household: Population one
You’ve seen the pleas from the CDC: “Spend Thanksgiving with just your immediate household this year.” My sister called me this week and..
There’s Trouble All Around (a free hymn for Thanksgiving 2020)
There’s Trouble All Around LEONI 6.6.8.4 ("The God of Abraham Praise") There’s trouble all around; it’s hard for us to bear!..
The gift of surprise grace
I am not sure if it is true for you, but for me, grace and gratitude are hard to find these days...
Advent and Christmas in a pandemic year: Ideas from Presbyterians
Pastors all over the country are sharing ideas – and a certain amount of anxiety – about how to celebrate Advent and..
“I can’t breathe!” — The racist assault upon the breath of God
America is being smothered by multiple traumas. The COVID-19 pandemic – which has taken over 200,000 lives in America and thrown..
Paths to resilience
As I wrote this article in my guest-room-turned-shared-office, the following distractions occurred: Screaming children refusing to do homework. Barking dogs. Lawn mowers..
Mission and ministry: Commencement during the pandemic at Stillman College
Guest commentary by Mark McCormick For 144 years, Stillman College, an HBCU (historically Black college or university) in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, started by..
Worship in the space of homelife
Guest commentary by Lynne A. Pabst Given all the current ideas of creating a worship space in the home right now, I..
College ministry: The mission of the whole community
I used to think I knew a lot about college ministry. My spouse is department chair for a doctoral program in clinical..
What’s right about Central Presbyterian Church?
Central Presbyterian Church — Downingtown, Pennsylvania At its May meeting, the church’s Mission Committee launched a “Masks for Neighbors” project. Emma..
An African choir, a South Carolina camp: Unexpected community during COVID-19
They were supposed to stay for two nights. Now, because of COVID-19, it’s been more than 200. Last spring, on March 17,..
Six month into the pandemic: Presbyterian congregations find new ways forward
Stress, uncertainty, creativity and hope. Some six months into the COVID-19 pandemic, Presbyterian congregations are facing economic uncertainty and questions about whether..
Grateful in a pandemic (not for a pandemic)
In seminary, I used a “character contract” one semester (I attended Denver Seminary and as a part of our individualized learning we..
Virtual college service day? Yes, please!
Service Day holds a special place in the hearts of Lyon College students. It’s a day when we do not hold..
Energy, intelligence, imagination and love: A first year of pastoral ministry in the time of corona
“Will you pray for and seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love?” It was one year ago (on..
Seeing the sacred: A beloved text, an outdoor vespers service
I heard on my favorite movie podcast that Brad Pitt does “three films for us and one for him.” I think about..
Combating COVID-19 in rural Haiti
As COVID-19 quickly spread from Asia to Europe and across the ocean to the United States, worldwide concern over the impact of..
A pastoral confession about fall programming
Hey, hey you! Yes YOU! Come a little closer (not closer than six feet though) — I need to keep my voice..
One body
We are one body, so the Bible says. “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice..
Yearning to sing, yearning to breathe
Selah. This mysterious little word is sprinkled throughout the psalms. My colleagues tell me that its origin and translation are uncertain and..
Creative ministry during pandemic grief
My study leave this year looked different than a conference, or even sermon series planning. I used my study leave to catch..
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