By Amy Butler Dear Riverside Community, There are moments in life when we know that we are standing on holy ground, when we are overtaken with the knowledge that God is here, and when the call of God in our…
Remember, new ministers — you’re incidental
By Amy Butler What’s the most important piece of advice you would give yourself if you could go back in time to your seminary graduation and have a conversation with your newly credentialed self? I had the occasion last week…
Reframing reality
By Amy Butler Even though we’re already several weeks away, one of the passages read commonly during Holy Week is still ringing in my ears. You’ll recall the exchange between Pilate and Jesus in John, chapter 18, where Jesus mentions…
The pressure cooker
By Amy Butler There are seasons of intensity in any line of work, and in the world of ministry Holy Week and Christmas run neck and neck. I personally think Holy Week is harder, not in small part due to…
Thinking inside the box
By Amy Butler The leadership art of “thinking outside the box” sounds progressive and cutting-edge. Everybody is talking these days about thinking outside the box, but the reality of the practice is not all that glamorous. I prefer the leadership…
It’s a no-win for the voices of exclusion
By Amy Butler Controversy has died down a bit since what can only be called a public relations disaster at World Vision last week. After announcing a change of policy which would allow for the employment of married, gay employees,…
Finding grace in Lent
By Amy Butler Every year as Lent approaches I try to think about some kind of intentional Lenten practice that might allow me to focus a bit more thoughtfully on spiritual inquiry. Since I’m a Baptist and try to take…
Trendy? Maybe, but the church needs more of it
By Amy Butler I am, in general, a bigger fan of starting trends than following them. Which is why, when I read about Ashes on the Go last year in the Washington Post, I firmly told myself there was no…
Where’s that bishop on my speed dial?
By Amy Butler Just last week Episcopal laywoman and noted author Sara Miles stopped by for a conversation about life and faith and some other interesting things. Given the ecumenical nature of the evening it seemed only right that the…
Considering seminary? Get ready for the unexpected.
By Amy Butler I could write a column about all the things I didn’t learn in seminary. Oh, wait. I already did that. Several times, in fact. It’s a great topic, because I think there’s not a pastor on the…
Sometimes spiritual discipline requires a ‘thumbs up’
By Amy Butler I recently read an article about “running ministries” which opened with a story about a ministry called “Sweaty Sheep,” a Kentucky group that sees running as church. I try to be open to alternative perspectives, diversity in…
Finding a place to ask the tough questions
By Amy Butler Early in my pastoral work I found myself in the middle of an intense season of transformation and conflict at my church. I wasn’t prepared for the dynamics I faced then; really, nobody at church knew quite…