Category Archives: Mark’s Blog

Intentional Interim Workshop

I will teach/facilitate a 3-day workshop on Intentional Interim Ministry November 1-3, 2011. Here is just a glimpse at the brochure/registration form: Churches Change When a long-time pastor or minister leaves a church, the church is forced to change. Grief, … Continue reading

Posted in Mark's Blog, Pastoral Ministry | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Intentional Interim Workshop

Recognize and Encourage

Pastors need to be transformed from people who create and direct ministry into leaders who recognize and encourage ministers. This is the thrust of D.Min. thesis being written by a friend, William Carl Thomas. I have watched Bill for the … Continue reading

Posted in Mark's Blog, Pastoral Ministry | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Recognize and Encourage

Why Church is Tough

I just read a helpful blog on why the way we “do church” must shift. I echo with the author the sense of gratitude for a generation past, and compassion for a generation coming. “we’re in a time where things … Continue reading

Posted in Mark's Blog, Pastoral Ministry | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Why Church is Tough

Intentional Interim Prophets?

Is it possible to prophesy and not even know it? I my last post, I summarized Brueggemann’s The Prophetic Imagination. The rhythm of prophetic ministry is mourning the present oppression and depression, and then building hope for God’s role in … Continue reading

Posted in Mark's Blog, Pastoral Ministry | Comments Off on Intentional Interim Prophets?

Grief to Hope

The role of the prophet is to help society grieve the death of its own future and excite hope for God’s future. That is a quickie summary of The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann. In setting the context for the … Continue reading

Posted in Bible and Theology, Mark's Blog, Mark's Currently Reading | Tagged , | Comments Off on Grief to Hope

Announcing Intentional Interim Ministry Workshop

I will teach a 3-day workshop on Intentional Interim Ministry this fall. The course will be held at Jennings Lodge Retreat Center in Portland, Oregon November 1-3. Leaders from several denominations are sending pastors to this specialized training. If you … Continue reading

Posted in Mark's Blog, My Personal Journey, Pastoral Ministry | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Announcing Intentional Interim Ministry Workshop

A Jesus Church

I liked Scot McKnight’s recent summary of new book, I knew Jesus before he was a Christian . . . and I liked him better then. The author, Rubel Shelly is a Christian and is pro-church. But he notices differences … Continue reading

Posted in Bible and Theology, Mark's Blog | Tagged , , | Comments Off on A Jesus Church

A Preaching Performance?

LeadershipJournal.net just published a provocative piece entitled “Preaching as Performance Art.” Clayton Schmit, professor at Fuller, argues that preaching is always performance. Sometimes we perform so that people notice us; but we should perform so that focus is on God’s … Continue reading

Posted in Mark's Blog, My Personal Journey, Pastoral Ministry | Tagged , , | Comments Off on A Preaching Performance?

God uses suffering?

Excuse me for an extended quote, but Michael Card had much to say. “[Jesus] does not explain away the pain, nor does he say that he has come with the answer or that he will fix everything. Instead, he bows … Continue reading

Posted in Bible and Theology, Mark's Blog, Mark's Currently Reading, Pastoral Ministry | Comments Off on God uses suffering?

Pools of Tears

One of my favorite pastors often reminded us to treat each other gently, because each worshipper sat by a “pool of tears.” He was reminding us that each person has been wounded in the battles of life, and a community … Continue reading

Posted in Mark's Blog, Pastoral Ministry | Tagged , | Comments Off on Pools of Tears