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Ruth Everhart

Author, Pastor, Speaker

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Leading the Small Church

February 8, 2017

How to Wear Your History: Suggestions for Churches

Some churches wear their history like a feathered cape -- with the past thrown lightly over the shoulders of the present. The past is color, context, and dramatic flair. Some churches wear their history like a shroud -- with the past draped heavily over the face of the present. The past is … [Read more...] about How to Wear Your History: Suggestions for Churches

Leading the Small Church church history

December 21, 2015

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 I have fresh experience that allows me to see the backside of that truism, which is also true: Small churches are fragile. So far in my … [Read more...] about The Body of Christ is Both Tough & Fragile

Leading the Small Church,  Published in Christian Century Leading a small church which is going to close,  when a church dies

October 18, 2015

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 folks … [Read more...] about A Peculiar Energy, Even as the Congregation Dies

Leading the Small Church,  Published in Christian Century closing a dying church,  Rich Young Ruler,  the peculiar energy of the small church

farewell on pentecost

June 13, 2011

Farewell to My Church on Pentecost

This is a detailed account of saying farewell to a church I served for nearly a decade -- on a very fitting day, Pentecost Sunday. Includes a farewell liturgy that might be helpful to others. When I arrived the parking lot was already lined with cars, which felt highly unusual. Inside the church … [Read more...] about Farewell to My Church on Pentecost

Ascension/Pentecost,  Leading the Small Church farewell liturgy,  Pentecost,  Poolesville Presbyterian Church,  saying goodbye to a church

June 10, 2011

What I’ll Miss: a pastor’s thoughts on leaving her church

After almost a decade at my church, I am leaving to pursue writing full time, at least for a season. This coming Sunday is my last day in the pulpit! Here are just a few of the things that I'm going to miss . . . I'll miss my place in the sanctuary, the red velvet throne that's lost its springs. … [Read more...] about What I’ll Miss: a pastor’s thoughts on leaving her church

Leading the Small Church quitting ministry to write full time,  what I'll miss about not being the pastor of a church anymore

September 4, 2009

Boundary Lines: Is Part-time Ministry Possible?

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. (Psalm 16:6) When people hear that I work two-thirds time as a solo pastor, they usually smile knowingly and say, church work is never part-time. Like most truisms, that one has a grain of truth but also perpetuates a myth. If part-time … [Read more...] about Boundary Lines: Is Part-time Ministry Possible?

Leading the Small Church is working as a part time pastor possible,  living on the other side of the river from church,  Poolesville Presbyterian Church

June 28, 2009

What Made Me Happy Today at Church

Driving up, the church property looked great after yesterday's Super Saturday, which accomplished major hedge trimming, gardening, and floor cleaning. The property looks like somebody loves it! Two families who are on vacation each left an older teen at home. ?Those kids came to church today. ?On … [Read more...] about What Made Me Happy Today at Church

Leading the Small Church a Roomba in a church,  Poolesville Presbyterian Church,  some reasons people go to church

March 19, 2009

Things to Not Do: One Pastor’s List

I'm thinking about what it means to cease working, in preparation for a sermon on Sabbath-keeping. Yesterday I had lunch with someone whose agenda was to discern whether I'm doing adequate "self-care" in ministry. (Ah, isn't that the topic of work and rest, or Sabbath?) We began with a little … [Read more...] about Things to Not Do: One Pastor’s List

Leading the Small Church how one pastor takes a Sabbath

August 25, 2008

I Like Church

I like my church. I like listening to the piano and singing the hymns. I especially love it when the pianist makes a little mistake and we sing right over it and it doesn't matter one bit. I like that people enjoy changing the hymn numbers in the wooden holder, and that people take turns doing … [Read more...] about I Like Church

Leading the Small Church the delights of leading a small church

April 28, 2008

Holy Laughter Has the Last Word in Ministry with Teens

Last night our Session (church governing body) examined a group of Confirmation students (7th-8th graders), who we call Seekers. ?There were 9 Seekers, 7 Elders, 1 Teacher, 1 Pastor, and 5 Pizzas. The Seekers have been meeting since October, nearly every Sunday morning. We started with the pizza … [Read more...] about Holy Laughter Has the Last Word in Ministry with Teens

Leading the Small Church confirmation class,  humor,  ministry with teenagers,  penguins,  pizza

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