by Jon Anderson One of my first clients, while doing my internship for my graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, was a guy whose wife had left him for another man. His response was to spend every free moment from work, night and day, stalking her. This went on for several weeks so […]
by Jay Jarboe “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” 1 Samuel 3:10 I am finishing the third sabbatical of my 44 years in ministry. I requested my first one in a previous ministry. I knew I was tired, doubted my purpose, and questioned my effectiveness in ministry. Those three months gave me time […]
Authors : Jay Jarboe
by Kaley Ihfe When my large family gathers at my parents’ house, we talk loudly, often interrupting one another. A few don’t insert themselves into the noise; instead, they wait until someone asks them about their lives. If we never ask, we never hear their perspectives or find out how they are doing. Within […]
Authors : Kaley Ihfe
by Shawna Um Worship leadership can easily become centered on what is visible: the songs we choose, the quality of the music, the transitions, the preparation, and the hope that everything will come together smoothly. While some level of excellence, quality, and preparation matters, they are not the heart of worship. Worship is an […]
Authors : Shawna Um
by George Welty I grew up in the Churches of Christ, with multiple generations of family on both sides planted firmly in that world. So, when I eventually found myself serving as a consultant in the Episcopal Church, it was not exactly the kind of plot twist anyone from my childhood could have predicted. […]
Authors : George Welty
by Chris Goldman There’s a common assumption in church culture: small churches are naturally better at participation. There’s some truth to it — smaller congregations often depend on everyone pitching in just to keep things running. But participation isn’t a small-church virtue. It’s a human one. Every congregation, regardless of size, needs to be […]
Authors : Chris Goldman
by George Welty As it turns out, the New Testament gives surprisingly little detail about the mechanics of Christian assemblies, and that silence is actually a gift. It means church leaders have room to shape worship gatherings in ways that genuinely help people draw near to God, grow together, and leave changed. That freedom […]
Authors : George Welty
by Shane J. Mushonga Conflict is like an unwelcome friend on life’s journey arriving uninvited; and it lingers if left unaddressed. How do we rid ourselves of this unwanted companion? Consider these three steps to choose healing as a better travel companion: 1. Be Intentional in the Process While conflict is common, healing requires an […]
Authors : Shane Mushonga
by Steven Carrizal Conversations are a cornerstone for social interaction and communication. In the context of a church family on a Sunday morning, conversations are how we learn about and share the events of our lives as we greet one another. We talk about the weather, the game, the weekend, and our children. We make […]
Authors : Steven Carrizal
by Jon Mullican Peter Steinke has equated leadership to the body’s immune system. According to Steinke, leadership establishes the boundaries of what is of self, what belongs in the body, and what is foreign – what is not of the body. Leadership is responsible for identifying behavior that is allowed and behavior that is prohibited. […]
Authors : Jon Mullican
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Recent Posts
- Listening as Leadership: How Empathy Builds Trust and Unity
- Listening to God: Recovering the Discipline of Spiritual Attention
- Hearing the Voices in the Room — and the Ones You Might Be Missing
- Leading Worship from a Posture of Presence, Not Performance
- How Consistent Liturgical Rhythms Strengthen Your Church
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