My family has always had a big front porch (nearly a non-negotiable expectation if you’re somewhere around the 12th generation of a family from Georgia). And sure enough my current home has one of the only front porches on our street. As a kid, “porch...
There are some instructive differences between lakes and rivers that are not lost on me. Metaphorically speaking, we all need both lakes and rivers, a place to be still, as well as a place to be on the move. What is problematic for many congregations,...
It's Beverly Hills, 1978, and Cheesecake Factory’s menu is one page long and features salads, sandwiches, and ten varieties of cheesecake. It’s simple, straightforward, highlighting what they’re really about, what they do best. These days, they advertise “more than 250” items prepared daily. Maybe it’s...
As far as local politics are concerned, I’ve become a single-issue voter. About three times a day in my car, I utter to myself, “I hate this city.” Ok, I don’t hate Atlanta (usually). But I absolutely do hate the traffic. I grew up with it,...
Guest Writer: The Rev. Rebekah McLeod Hutto Associate Minister for Christian Education and Discipleship, The Brick Presbyterian Church in the City of New York & MM Cohort Member, New York, New York A developmental milestone for many toddlers is the ability to creatively play with objects beyond their...
“Most messes can get cleaned up where trust is present.” The closing of last week’s piece gave us that ultimate sticking point. Trust is one of the chief casualties of the erosion we are experiencing in our common life. This week, David Lose noted the sermon...
Back in the olden days of paper maps, it could be disconcerting to get lost. Having a map didn't help unless you knew your location on that map. GPS presents a different problem. The “my location” button can tell you where you are. But then GPS...
“God is actively dis-establishing the church in America.” That line in last week’s article garnered some significant reaction, ranging from relief to gratitude to annoyance to rejection. “Numbers still matter – Jesus grew the church.” “Saying God is doing this takes away our need to do anything –...
Rev. Dr. Laurie Ferguson Senior Research Fellow for Coaching and Director of the Residential Coaching Program at Auburn Seminary It is no surprise that most clergy occupy various types leadership roles on a daily basis. Some of these might include therapist, consultant, mentor, spiritual director, pastoral caregiver,...