Recently, many PCUSA seminarians sat for an exegesis ordination exam unlike any other I’ve ever heard about. For many, this exam was one of the last ecclesiastical hurdles to jump. For those of you who don’t know, PC(USA) ordination is a multi-year, multi-leg endurance race of classes, internships, verbal and written examinations, psychological evaluation, and […]
Tag: Ministry
Open Wound
The damage was too great, the surgeon told me, to close the wound. No amount of skill, no number of stitches, could close the bloody ellipse, much less hold it indefinitely. It could be cared for and fretted over as much as I liked, but only time would heal this open wound. Healing, closure the […]
The Unmaking of Me | Part 1 Spiritual Abuse & My Complex PTSD
There are moments in our lives that begin ordinary and end extraordinary. Sometimes, they are moments of indescribable joy, and others of immense suffering. This post is about the latter, and takes place, like may of these life-altering moments do, under the most mundane circumstances: a food truck rally with friends. Food trucks will forever […]
Ten Warning Signs your Church Culture is Rotten
One of the common refrains we hear when a church implodes is “I just didn’t know.” Sometimes that ignorance is willed or a legal cover, but for most folks, I think it’s true. Even plugged-in participants, church-rats, and lay leaders are just unaware of what a church in trouble looks like. Here’s 10 warning signs […]
When the Pastor Wants to Die: My Story of Hurt and Healing this Mental Health Awareness Month
I have started and stopped this piece more times than I can count. The words have been hard to come by and I’ve asked myself so many times if the vulnerability is worth the risk. It is. I’m done with the silence. I’m done with the fear of judgment. I’m done with the shame. And […]
Calling or Culling? What’s Happening to Our Pastors?
Several months ago Thom Rainier reported that the majority of pastors his company works with were in the process of leaving their churches. Twenty twenty had proven a gauntlet too tricky to run for too many. As of today, I know of 4 pastors – just in my immediate orbit – currently in painful situations […]
Wounding Churches,“Wounded Resistors”
What I’ve Learned Since my Last Post Since my last post, we’ve had so many of you reach out and express your love and support for our family. Some of you have also reached out in vulnerability to share with us your own stories of “church hurt.” We are humbled and grateful for all the […]
Dear VOA – My Last Weekly Note
Friends, This is not how any of us hoped this would turn out. I am writing to you from home with emotions and memories swirling around me. I’ve heard from many of you experiencing the same. Though my employment status may indicate otherwise, this is my last weekly letter to you as your pastor. There […]
Collared and Marching
Since the death of George Floyd, I have been found myself in the streets of the KC Metro in my clerical collar peacefully protesting, demonstrating, and marching. Here’s why. Black Lives Matter* Above all other reasons, I march because Black Lives Matter. At least, they should matter, but in America, where their existence began as […]
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