Category: Published in Christian Century
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What Language Can I Borrow?
A very personal essay about mothers and mortality. How can we celebrate Eastertide during a time of COVID-19? In the May 5, 2020 print edition of Christian Century, online here.
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A Conversation with Strangers at the Hair Salon
“We fed her well right up to the end,” one said. The other nodded with satisfaction. “And we surrounded her with love.”
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The Body of Christ is Both Tough & Fragile
When I was in seminary I was taught: Small churches are tough. You can’t beat them to death with a stick!? I believed that truism, and repeated it to others. Now . . .
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A Peculiar Energy, Even as the Congregation Dies
For the last few Sundays I’ve filled the pulpit for a small church that has lost its critical mass. Attendance has dwindled to a faithful few, all of whom are running out of energy. Not a happy situation. Still, when I enter the church building, I feel a sense of welcome and warmth from the…
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Signs vs. Sidewalk: Which Speaks Louder?
I was walking through an unfamiliar residential neighborhood to get some exercise, going at a good clip when I was brought to a sudden halt because the sidewalk disappeared. A certain establishment had not installed sidewalks along its considerable property line. The name of the establishment? “Health Network.” I could not continue my healthy walk…
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Two Kinds of Ministers
I submit that there are two kinds of ministers: ministers who’ve been hurt by the church, and ministers who haven’t been hurt by the church, yet. I suppose you could apply this bifurcation to any group of persons. There are two kinds of spouses: those who have disappointed their mate, and those who haven’t, yet.…
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Superhost!
The Jesus we meet in scripture liked to sit at a table where the bowls clinked as they passed, and the wineglasses were refilled. Done right, the practice of ministry instills in us simple habits of hospitality:
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Praise or Blame, All the Same: Handling Criticism
A recent article in the NYT, Learning to Love Criticism, discusses a Fortune.com study of performance reviews, which shows that women are criticized more severely, and in more personal ways, than are men. In other words: It’s not our imagination! I am familiar with the dynamic described. As a clergywoman, my work requires me to…
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Hospitality: What the Church Can Learn from Air Bnb
I’m a Presbyterian pastor who often talks about hospitality. Last spring my husband and I took the practice of hospitality to a new level when we became Air Bnb hosts. Many people are curious about the experience of hosting. Why would we want to open up our home to complete strangers? I’ll readily say that…
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9 Things Pastors Can Do Besides Pray for Gaza
We feel forced to choose a side. Are you pro-Israeli or pro-Palestinian?
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Momma Don’t Want No Stinkin’ Card
I wrote this post about the inequities facing women in 2014. Unfortunately, it’s all still true! You’ll have to forgive me if I’m cranky about Mothers Day. Once again marketers will drape the world in pink, but I’m not feeling it. One Reason I’m Cranky Mothers Day is another working Sunday — plus a whole…
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Bodypump & the Body of Christ
Suddenly I understood. The old folk don’t resist because they hate Jesus or the church, but quite the opposite. What they have is so precious to them that they don?t want anybody messing with it. Yep, I bet you?ve thought of this before. So have I. But it took some feel-good endorphins for me to…