It’s a hard time to be a pastor. Everybody says it. Newspapers run columns about it. Every survey reflects it. To be fair, this pandemic time with its heightened isolation and the accompanying vitriolic political scene has been a hard time for everybody–students, parents, teachers, medical staff, and sure, yes…pastors too. Navigating zoom meetings, adding…
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I had a four week vacation in July/August. Pastoring at a small church means that having people lined up to preach can be a bit challenging, but it went smoothly. Two local pastor friends, my one staff colleague, and then the fourth week was “elder preach” day. Three of our stellar elders each took on…
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Cacophony is defined as “a harsh discordant mixture of sounds.” I’m embarrassed to say that my initial introduction to the word was from early Monday Night Football personality Howard Cosell in describing the loud sound of a game-night crowd. Cacophony. It’s probably a good descriptor for our world today, don’t you think? Good Lord. Acrimony…
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At our Seattle church it was called the Wednesday Night Dinner. In Hollywood, it was The Lord’s Lighthouse. Here in Santa Rosa, it’s the Nomadic Shelter. All of these ministries have provided regular opportunities for me to be around friends who are homeless, challenged with mental illness, struggling with addictions or battling major physical issues.…
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