When Words Change Someone and You Don’t Even Know It
listen to this John Townsend story about a throw away comment that changes the trajectory of someone’s life in a short elevator ride
Category: dialogue
4 More Things for Naïve Pastors to Know
Good Bible teaching and right theology alone will not get pastors prepared for a lifetime of fruitful ministry. That textbook knowledge has to be translated and developed into skillful practices, wise insights through healthily-processed life experiences, and gracious humility for all human...
Naive pastors and the unexpected pain of pastoring
The Bible talks on several occasions about suffering. And you don’t have to be a Christian, or even a spiritual person, to know that the world has too much suffering for inexplicable reasons. But, what do you do with that reality? Some...
When Christians Grasp for Power, We all Lose
I believe that we as Christians have had privilege in many ways that other religions do not have, here in America. I think that privilege and power are intricately linked—found these good thoughts on Twitter worth reading and considering. (twitter thread by...
Managing Your Anxiety and Others You Lead
Anxiety has been a part of the human condition for centuries. It’s not a new thing that’s increasing just because of social media, faster changes in our cultures, and uncertainty about the future. Jesus Christ spoke directly about anxiety in Matthew 6,...
4 Traits of Real White Advocates for People of Color
(twitter threads posted with permission from Helen Lee; unrolled via threadreaderapp.com) When a white person says he/she is an advocate for people of color, I need to know: Who are your closest friends, mentors, and advisors? Are they all or mostly white?...
Naive pastors don’t know psychology and sociology
Pastoring and leading is primarily about people. It’s not only about people. It is so much more. And as much as we study the Bible or go thru years of seminary training, to prepare for Gospel ministry, that’s not the half of...
Naive Pastors Don’t Understand Power
I’d like to believe that a majority of people go into pastoral ministry with sincerity to help people and good intentions. Many of them with a sense of calling from God as far as they understand. The reality with pastoring involves a...
