When Ed Young became pastor of Second Baptist Church in Houston, Jimmy Carter was president of the United States. Forty-six years later, at age 87, the high-profile pastor is stepping down and has named his 60-year-old son as his successor….
Denver Seminary announces retirement of Mark Young, begins search for new president
Mark Young will retire as the eighth president of Denver Seminary Dec. 31 and will then serve part time as chancellor and lead a “major capital campaign.” The school, the nation’s 10th largest seminary, has appointed a search committee to…
Does it matter, and when should it?
Does it matter if the electrician who comes to work at my house has a bumper sticker on the back of his truck that I find offensive? Does it matter if my hairstylist shares my political views? Does it matter…
Why some retired clergy lose faith and leave church
“Be merciful to those who doubt.” — Jude 22 I belong to a support group of seven retired Mainline clergypersons. Six of the seven no longer affirm historic, creedal, orthodox, traditional theology. The same six members of the group…
Of politicians and pastors who can’t quit
Politicians and pastors may share more things in common than you would imagine, but one common trait is ego. It takes a strong ego to subject yourself to a run for public office, and it takes a strong ego to…
The shift from positional power to relational power
You and I see it almost daily: A person doesn’t know when to let go of their position of power. A father or mother, high executive or low manager, a lay or professional leader, a bus driver or bus mechanic….
Tom Brady may be the NFL’s “GOAT,” but he’s a lousy theologian
Try imagining what it’s like to be Tom Brady, who announced his retirement — for the second time — last week. In the National Football League, the 45-year-old quarterback is the Greatest of All Time. Nobody else has played in…
Learning to tell time as a minister
Remember the 1960s song from the group Chicago, “Does Anyone Know What Time It Is?” This is an excellent question for a new year, especially as one does ministry. I retired as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Abilene,…
In praise of billiards: A tool for ministry
When I was in my early sixties, my mother moved into an adult retirement community not far from our home. There she took up the game of pool. Every afternoon, she and a group of women played doubles. She became…