Have you ever had one of those days where you just feel like giving up? Like your best will never be good enough and you’ll never be worth a place at the proverbial table? Like you can’t seem to breathe hope into the future, because everything around you seems so dark? Have you ever had one of those days only…
This post was originally featured on Call and Response, a blog sponsored by Duke Divinity’s Faith & Leadership program. Two years after I wrote this post, I find myself searching for ways to extend learning and mentoring relationships so that there is a place for the young, energetic minister and the wise, seasoned minister (maybe even from different churches!) to…
I’ve been in the mountains of Clayton, Ga. since Sunday leading a reflection and debriefing retreat for college and graduate school students called Selah Vie. The pastor carefully planned worship and vespers around developing a rhythm of life, including sabbath, community, and meaningful work. Throughout the week, I was reminded of a sermonette I preached at Park Avenue Baptist Church…
“Can I just put my toe in real quick?” the girls squeaked as we waited behind the baptistry for the service to begin. Nervous energy invaded the space between each of us and the girls wanted to do something… anything to feel prepared. With a twinkle in my eye and a knowing smile on my face, I replied, “Yes, but…
I’ve learned that some of the holiest moments in a young minister’s life are when mentors become friends. These moments are hard to mark, because the relationships shift gradually, in the same way that a mother and daughter shift from instructor to counselor to friend – you don’t always notice it happening, but when you do catch a glimpse of…
“Oh but you must take it off the shelf,” urged the voice behind me in the low, crisp voice I had only ever heard on NPR. “There’s someone waiting to read it.” She wasn’t talking directly to me, but I heard her. I, who was too scared to even open my mouth. Too scared to share my secret ambitions with…
Rev. on the Edge 