Ladies, don’t take your children to see the new Barbie movie. Take your mom. Take your girlfriends. Take a flask. Take the wife of your pastor. Because if there’s one woman who, more than any other, is still expected to…
Why church expectations for a youth minister may be unrealistic and how to change them
For several years, as an adjunct professor teaching youth ministry courses and giving leadership to the Center for Church and Community at Campbell University, I have received requests that sound like this: “We are looking for help finding a youth…
Pastors in a no-win situation
“How many people should I be visiting a month?” I asked them. They blinked at me, confused by the question. “What I’m asking is, what will satisfy you? Is it 10 people? Twenty?” “Well,” she asked, “how many are on…
How the expectation gap creates trauma for white evangelicals
While they no doubt have inflicted trauma on others, white evangelical Christians in America also experience trauma because of the gap between how they were told the world should work and the way it actually is working.
What does your congregation expect of people connected with it?
Jason slipped into a seat at the back of the worship center just after the choir entered. This was his first time at worship this month. He grew up in church as part of a family present practically every time…
How to welcome a new pastor to your church
When Beth McConnell was being introduced to our congregation as our new pastor, someone asked her what we could do to make her transition easier. Beth is too humble to give you this list. Over the decades, I have given…