Oct 26, 2011 | Being a Minister
I hung up the phone and tears ran down my cheeks. Soon I was sobbing. The person on the other end of the phone had rejected my gift. For years I have thought of my ministry as a wrapped gift that I offer freely. She had torn aside the paper and declared my gift...
Oct 11, 2011 | Being a Minister, Being the Church
My first role in the church was teaching Sunday School for four- and five-year-olds. I was a high school student and taught with an experienced teacher. As a young adult, I attended seminary and became minister of education for a church. Recently, I have come full...
Sep 8, 2011 | Being a Minister, Motherhood and Ministry
I sit at my computer with copious notes, a cup of coffee and focused attention. The phone rings. Hoping that the caller is someone who can wait, I glance at the Caller ID and see the number for the preschool. Soon I am back at home with an eight-month-old baby who has...
Aug 23, 2011 | Being a Minister
One summer Sunday morning, I was sitting with a group of elderly ladies prior to worship. We were chatting about the heat, the taste of fresh peaches from the farmer’s market, and other summer topics, when I looked at my watch. It was time to get ready to lead in...
Aug 17, 2011 | Being a Minister, Community
I’m often amazed, amused, and at times even taken aback by what the internet does for us. It is remarkable to have such endless and uncensored access to news (and non-news) and opinions, and even more remarkable to be able to respond back to it all in the ever-present...
Aug 5, 2011 | Being a Minister
When a new acquaintance learns of my church gig, one of the first questions is usually, “How long have you been a minister?” Well, it depends. I think I’ve been a minister for a while now. My first unpaid role was team leader of a Young Life group in 1996, and I...
