By Rev. Dr. Rick Jordan As we grow older, we sometimes look back on our experiences as superior to those of “kids these days.” However, there is at least one area of training that today’s divinity school students get that was nearly absent in my theological education: the spiritual life. I had courses in the Bible, of […]
What I Didn’t Learn Read More »
By: Rev. Dr. Paul Raybon For a number of years our church has observed what we call the “Season of Baptism” between Epiphany and Lent. It gives us time at the beginning of each year to revisit the particularly Baptist parts of our congregational identity. Our theme this year is Having Been Baptized: We Covenant Together. Those
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By Rev. Dr. Rick Jordan On most Monday mornings, you’ll find me at Moore Magnet Elementary School, volunteering in the first grade. I volunteered in the fourth-grade last year. I guess the word got around that this placement was too advanced for me, so they “promoted” me to first grade. Everybody wins. I was once
By: Rev. Dr. Paul Raybon Recently I have been reflecting on folks who were once at the very center of life at church. Many have gone on to their eternal home, where they wait for us to arrive one day. Others have moved away and created stories of love and ministry in new church homes.
Connecting with Your Legacy Read More »
By: Rev. Steve Zimmerman “If you take care of the small things, the big things take care of themselves.” Emily Dickenson In light of the recent tragic shootings of the last few weeks in our country, it seems hard for us as brothers and sisters in Christ to have a clear path going forward. The
By Rev. Dr. Rick Jordan “Could you lead the science unit for Vacation Bible School again this year?” our children’s minister asked me. “Sure,” I said, “I enjoyed doing that last year. I’d be happy to give it another go.” Leaders of science and faith have often conflicted, as we know from ancient and contemporary events.
Try Something New! Read More »
By: Rev. Dr. Paul Raybon Ministers have a particular if not unique exposure to trauma. (Trauma is our body’s emergency response to an experience that overwhelms our normal coping mechanisms). Not only do we carry the bodily memory of our own private traumas, but we can also be traumatized directly and indirectly through our ministry.
Your Trauma Narrative Read More »
By: Rev. Dr. Paul Raybon Folks in Western North Carolina are balancing deep empathy and compassion for the people in the hill country of Texas with a fair amount of anxiety and even PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). It is a tough balance to maintain. Nine months after Hurricane Helene, even before the recent news,
By: Rev. Jerry Chiles Every person faces risks and chooses how to respond. Some people run toward risk, while others run from risk. As a child and youth, I did not fear risk and found myself in some crazy situations. My conservative religious upbringing caused me to moderate risk taking. However, in my ministry I took
By: Rev. Steve Zimmerman While serving as an Associate Pastor years ago, it somehow became my lot in life in various churches to become the “Minister of Pictorial Directory” along with my other official church responsibilities. While the goal of the churches was knowing who everyone was, my personal challenge was to get this “masterpiece”
Is Your Mission Up to Date? Read More »
