The Pastor in Transition
Discernment, New Calls & What Comes Next Transition is one of the most spiritually and emotionally complex seasons a pastor can enter. Whether you’re considering a new call, stepping into retirement, feeling restless in your current place, or wondering if God might be redirecting you entirely — discernment requires more than a prayer. It requires […]
BYOB
Every pastor’s letter of call could read BYOB: bring your own baggage. All of us lug into our calls the stuff of life we have collected along the way which informs our practiced theology and our self-talk and the expectations we place on ourselves, often unrealistic, unattainable and unsustainable. We imagine what a pastor SHOULD […]
The Pleaser Pastor: When Caring Turns into Chronic Over-Functioning
I remember when I was working for LSS, I approached a pastor and asked if I could get some time on his calendar to share the work LSS was doing. He angrily pulled out his little red calendar, rifled through its pages and said, “it’s full, my calendar is full, unless you want to come […]
Designing a Sustainable Week in Ministry: A Step-by-Step Exercise
If most weeks feel like a blur and you’re more reactive than intentional, you’re not alone. Ministry tends to expand to fill every available space – unless you design your week on purpose. This isn’t about squeezing more in, it’s about aligning your week with your calling so you can serve from a non-anxious, sustainable […]
Quieting the “Judge” in Your Head
You probably know the voice: ‘That sermon didn’t land.’ ‘You’re not visiting enough.’ ‘You’re letting your people down.’ There is a part of you that constantly evaluates yourself, your people, and your circumstances. And then, this voice masquerades as faithfulness as it says, “If you stop criticizing yourself and pushing yourself, you’ll get lazy”, or […]
Serving Leftovers
Remember the time some 5,000+ people came to Jesus hungry and his disciples wanted to send them away? Jesus said, “no, you give them something to eat.” Then Jesus blessed a few loaves and fish and everyone was fed plus there were ample leftovers. Our people come to us week after week, hungry for God’s […]
Healthy Boundaries in Ministry: Loving Your People Without Losing Yourself
You’ve had a long day, you’re about to go to bed and your phone pings, “Pastor, can you talk?” and thus begins your internal tug of war. “It is my “call” to be available.” “This is a small town, and I want to be seen as responsive and caring.” “I don’t want to come across […]
“People are Messy”
Most pastors I talk with can point to a specific moment when ministry started to feel heavier. That was how I was going to open this message but then my beloved uncle, Pastor John Ericksen, passed away and we had his memorial service in February. When I heard the funeral message, I realized you all […]
This or That
Work in the church long enough and you are sure to hear the phrase “but we’ve always done it this way.” While not heard exclusively in Lutheran circles it is certainly heard exhaustively when change is suggested. So often this phrase drowns potential creativity and innovation before it can even get its sea legs much […]
“Is it supposed to feel like this?”
“Is it supposed to feel like this?” Shrinking congregations, pandemic aftershocks, aging members and denominational anxieties have many in ministry feeling tired. There are fewer volunteers to do the ministry but with higher expectations of ministry happening. There are all the tech, hybrid worship, and the conflict and polarization in our society. Sometimes there is […]
