Life balance is important and necessary for sustained ministry over time, but there are some things that life balance is not.
You don’t bring me flowers anymore
When it comes to observing Mother’s Day at church, traditions vary around the country. Factors influencing a congregation’s contextual practice include geographic location, denominational heritage, liturgical preference, and congregational precedent. In my first pastorate, I inherited that southern tradition I…
Jason Collins and Mother’s Day
By Roger Lovette The recent announcement by NBA star basketball player Jason Collins that he is gay reminded me of a story a friend told about going to a championship football game. As the game progressed, a man sitting in…
Remember infertility on Mother’s Day
This Sunday dads will wake up extra early to make their wives breakfast in bed, or at least a good cup of strong coffee. Children will work diligently during their Sunday school hour cutting out yellow-and-pink paper flowers or finger…
As One unknown
By Bill Leonard “He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lake side, He came to those … who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same word: ‘Follow thou me!’ and…
As One unknown
By Bill Leonard “He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lake side, He came to those … who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same word: ‘Follow thou me!’ and…
As One unknown
By Bill Leonard “He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lake side, He came to those … who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same word: ‘Follow thou me!’ and…
As One unknown
By Bill Leonard “He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lake side, He came to those … who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same word: ‘Follow thou me!’ and…
Water, water everywhere
By Miguel De La Torre Amid apparent abundance, millions of people on Earth do not have access to clean water. More than 1 billon lack basic sanitation allowing them to take a shower, turn on a tap or flush a…
Who decides if you are a Christian?
Recently I was a guest on HuffPost Live with Rev. Paul Raushenbush, HuffPost Senior Religion Editor and two other authors. (You can watch the segment here. I come in around 19:00) We discussed the coming out of NBA player Jason Collins and the conversation turned to…
How to ruin a sermon (or not)
By Bill Wilson Good preaching comes in a myriad of forms in a multitude of settings. Don’t let anyone fool you: there is no one way to preach a sermon, as the diversity of styles that have developed over the…
Running the race on the first saturday of May
Reflections from Saturday May 4th I’m pondering the significance of this day–the first Saturday of May in 2013. Traditionally in my place of residence, Columbia, S.C., it marks the beginning of the transition from spring to summer. Temperatures typically start…