Blessing is one of those thing that clergy do. Sometimes it’s something only clergy do though I know well that even as clergy I often wonder what gives me the authority to offer blessing. Years ago, this beautiful video was created by some talented folks within the United Church of Christ. It was part ofContinue reading “Recipe for Blessing the Broken Hearted”
Category Archives: Recipes for Ministry
Recipe for Resurrection Awe Strolls
Here in Texas there has been a terrible freeze. There was snow and it left a good chunk of the state without power including most everyone in my sweet Texas church back in Central Texas. We did have snow over here in West Texas and it actually stuck around for a day or two butContinue reading “Recipe for Resurrection Awe Strolls”
Recipe for Zoom Prayer and Pretzel Making
I want there to be lots of fun options for connection and community in Lent. I have been brainstorming ideas and wondering what is possible while we are still online. I want there to be silliness in this season that is usually so somber. We can do that another year. We can revive that traditionContinue reading “Recipe for Zoom Prayer and Pretzel Making”
Recipe for a Pandemic Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt
Worship is not the only thing that adds flavor to congregational life. We are nourished by times of fellowship and times of service. As we approach the season of Lent again, I’ll be sharing more recipes for ministry. If you read my newsletter, you might have caught on to the fact that I have hadContinue reading “Recipe for a Pandemic Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt”
Pandemic Prayers for Proper 17
In the past week, my clergy groups have been full of posts and comments about how tired you are. Not just because you’re working so hard, dear clergy, or even because you need a vacation. Though, I imagine, those add fuel to this exhaustion but it is not this tiredness that you lament.
Stewardship in Coronatide
I shared a few days ago some worship brainstorming for the season ahead and it got me thinking about the other big thing that often happens in the fall season in our churches: the pledge drive. Most churches still tend to run this program in the harvest season while crops are being gathered from theContinue reading “Stewardship in Coronatide”
Recipe for Gratitude
Many congregations, including the one that I am working with right now as a consultant, care for their members by putting in the mail cards full of love and support when someone has fallen ill or is bereaved. Some congregations have a committee that keeps a stock of stationary for this very purpose. Once aContinue reading “Recipe for Gratitude”
Recipe for Discernment
I had the honor of meeting Elizabeth Liebert last month in San Anselmo where I began my studies in spiritual direction. I had read her book The Way of Discernment way back when I was discerning whether or to leave my first call. I was testing the spirits and her words were amazingly helpful asContinue reading “Recipe for Discernment”
Recipe for Learning to Pray
Last week, I finally finished Carol Howard Merritt’s Reframing Hope: Vital Ministry in a New Generation. It really shouldn’t have taken me that long and it is certainly no reflection on the book. It’s me. I had three chapters back in April and then felt this overwhelming need to never read a book about churchContinue reading “Recipe for Learning to Pray”
Recipe for the Worrying Church
Sometimes it is the Lectionary that sparks an idea or sometimes it is a story that you have held close over these many years. This recipe is a little bit of both. On Sunday, we will hear the story of Martha who is very worried and distracted. She’s rushing about and keeping busy. She’s doingContinue reading “Recipe for the Worrying Church”
Cooking with Elsa 