In my lifetime as a minister we’ve moved from talking about “pastors” to focusing almost exclusively on “leadership.”
I read passages like 1 Peter 5:1-5 and read articles like this one from Dennis Edwards, and my heart is stirred once again for a call to pastor. We need the shepherds once again.
A head scratching parable for me is found in Luke 16. It is the parable of the “shrewd manager”. It’s such an odd passage that most commentaries will simply state it’s an odd passage and difficult to interpret.
Continue reading “Being validated in our lostness”I was honored to preach at my home church (Church of the Apostles) this past Sunday.
I love Apostles Eastern Shore Sermons | Community Voices | Dan Thompson | 6.30.19, let’s play it!
https://www.podbean.com/ea/pb-tn49z-b68d34
You can also try this link.
“The point of being an apostle, in any case, is not that one should be showy and spectacular; not even that one should be successful. ‘Stewards of God’s mysteries’, say some translations in verse 1; that’s fine, but the word ‘steward’ has been so overused that we may need to find other ways of bringing out the point. Apostles are like household managers, whose job is to look after the silverware and administer the domestic accounts. God’s ‘mysteries’ (see 1 Cor. 2:7) are like a rich storehouse of treasures, to be used appropriately. Apostles and teachers don’t own the treasure, they merely have to do what they’re told with it. What is required is simply that they be faithful with what’s been entrusted to them.”
Wright, T. (2004). Paul for Everyone: 1 Corinthians (p. 46). London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.
When we began this journey away from Heights Church and ministry in the Twin Cities, I thought about Paul’s journey to Troas in Acts 16. Initially, I thought the journey to Troas would include the move to Alabama. A few weeks ago the Lord let me know the journey to Troas was the four months of preparation for this move. The move to Alabama is the next step. Continue reading “Day One”
I have held to what I call a “theology of place.” I minister in a physical place. I don’t minister in theory. I try to minister in reality. That has to do with where I am. Continue reading “The theology of place”
I don’t mind living a little bit “out there” so people can examine what is going on in my life spiritually and theologically. I don’t mind engaging in hard issues, like racism, immigration, etc.
It does get a bit tougher when it comes to very personal matters, but I also know there are people who have the same struggles I have and for whatever reason don’t voice them. If I share just a little bit more of my life, there is an opportunity for people to identify and think, “Maybe it’s time for me to try this.” Continue reading “Saving my life and my ministry”
This weekend we were part of our church district’s Equip Conference and I came away with some incredible thoughts to evaluate where I am in leading others. I love pastoring and I am constantly evaluating how I am doing in leading others as a pastor. Continue reading “Thoughts on leadership”
I am working my way through In God’s Hands: The Spiritual Diaries of Pope Saint John Paul II. These are excerpts from his personal journals written during and after spiritual retreats through his life. One passage I’ve come across early on deals with ministry and issues he faced as a bishop in the Catholic Church at that time. They ring true for ministers in general it seems. Continue reading “The problem of ministry”
Over my years of ministry we have longed ceased in my circles to call it “pastoring.” We have called it “leadership.” Pastors do indeed lead, but the way we have come to train ministers isn’t in the style of pastoring that has a leadership component. Continue reading “Pastoring”
