September 03, 2010
Are you interested in strong leadership for the church? Do you want the church to thrive and be relevant in the world? If so, what are the keys to renewal and vitality?
According to a recent United Methodist Church study, the four key factors are: “small groups and programs; worship services that mix traditional and contemporary styles with an emphasis on relevant sermons; pastors who work hard on mentorship and cultivation of the laity; and an emphasis on effective lay leadership.” These four factors depend on the church giving more attention to the continuous work of cultivating quality leaders who attend to them. And because the average age of both clergy and parishioners are rising-- and because church is becoming less relevant to young people (according to the study), cultivating quality leaders should be a church mandate!
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Posted in Alumnotes
Undergraduate Fellow ('99)
Associate Pastor, First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
Portland, ME
August 31, 2010
We had an overwhelming number of visitors in church this past Sunday.
There were a number of folks looking for a church home. Each of them
felt the welcome of our church family in our worship and in the way that
we gather to sip lemonade together on the porch after worship.
I'm trying to hold onto that this morning. I'm trying to remember that
loving welcome that our church does so well when I'm met with an angry
phone call. This call didn't come from a church member. This person
wasn't in worship with us. She was here to be served by the members of our
congregation that offer a ministry of gently used clothing and toys
-- and she wasn't happy with the service she got.
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August 27, 2010
Ghana redefined my definition of Ministry. Now, I understand ministry
not only as an opportunity to teach, but more so as an opportunity to
learn. Ministry is no longer about “fixing” the problem or finding a new
solution, but it is instead about helping to manage by making a sincere
contribution. Ministry is now understood to me to be a time to be
silent and to listen. Ministry to me is investing myself in my neighbor
to the point of vulnerability-to know intimately the reality of their
challenges and know deeply the source of their hope.
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August 24, 2010
We are entering the season of job searches, interviews, and
(hopefully) offers. Here are a few
interview tips for the newly and nearly minted academics on the market.
First, be as clear as possible about your own career goals:
do you want to teach at a seminary? a university or college? aiming for
research and writing or administration? So you are invited for an
interview. If you accept, think
about the school and the fit first. For instance, is the school in your own
religious tradition? Is the school too liberal or too conservative? After you accept the invitation,
realize that an interview is an opportunity for the hiring unit and the
candidate (you) to discover whether they can work well together. So, your preparation for the interview
is very important.
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August 20, 2010
Driving through downtown Decatur, GA last week, I passed the sign in front of First Baptist Church at least a dozen times. It announced the title of the coming Sunday’s sermon: "What If I Can’t Forgive?" That’s a pretty gutsy sermon title.
Just asking the question lays certain claims, namely that (a) forgiving is a good, something I should do; (b) forgiving is hard and sometimes I can’t do it; and (c) something happens if I can’t forgive. If we could get CNN to conduct a poll, I doubt a majority of Americans would agree with these as blanket claims, true no matter what it is that needs forgiveness or whether the offender apologizes. This question goes against the grain; it calls us to how we should live. "What If I Can’t Forgive?" is a prophetic question.
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August 17, 2010
Dancing. The whole world seems crazy about dancing. All over the place people are talking about “Dancing with the Stars” or “So You Think You Can Dance”. It makes me quite uncomfortable.
I was never much for dancing. As an adolescent, I remember the feelings of betrayal, when my closest friends, those who at one time hung with me at the side of the room at the school dances and would run out of the room when there would be a “lady’s choice” announced, reached the point when they gave up their spot on the wall and started dancing!
Some of those feelings changed on Pentecost Day this past May.
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Posted in Alumnotes
Director, Leading Generations Initiative
August 13, 2010
As the demographics of American cities change, the work of leaders in congregations is becoming more complex. The American Community Survey released results that reveal demographics with implications for congregations and their leaders.
An emphasis on diversity and effective leadership is desperately needed in a time when leaders in the church, academy, and society are called to be bridge-builders and advocates of cross-racial and intergenerational coalitions.
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