What are your coping mechanisms in this time? Which ones serve you best? In all things, how can we reduce harm to our bodies, minds and spirits? What are you willing to do to strengthen your empathy? What sacrifices are you willing to make to be of better service to others?

In some quiet moments I’ve reflected on this journey from coveting, to claiming, to interpreting, integrating, and embodying. In my actions and choices, this is what I aim to do, what I feel my faith calling me to do: to Love Justice, to Seek Mercy, and to Go.

Mid-October is shifting seasons and losing light and hurtling toward the end of the year - only three more months to achieve those New Year’s resolutions, friends!

For those of you not embroiled in this particular time of year known as search season, now is when many of your sibling congregations have compiled their “records” to be shared with candidating ministers. It is a busy time of collating months of conversation and inward reflection about the...

Leadership in our dominant culture tends to evoke images of politicians inspiring crowds with fiery speeches, or breathless heroes leading the charge. But church leadership isn’t a political campaign or an action movie. Many of us engage in church life through meetings — of boards, committees,...

“I will not sink to your barbaric behavior.” I was ten; my sister was six. I knew more multisyllabic words than she did and she leapt at me with her little fists. I just sat there until mom arrived and punished her for hitting. Of course I loved my sister, but I’d already learned that words...

For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyard and gather their crops. But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest....

There are lots of things in congregational life that can cause big feelings. In a recent webinar, we asked participants to name some of these things, and they did!...

Opening words from Artist and Vibe Curator Eso Tolson: I don’t know who needs to hear this but rest is not a reward. You don’t have to earn rest. You need rest. You deserve rest. You are worthy of rest simply because you are a living being. And don’t ever feel guilty for taking time to rest.

I don’t doubt that many of us are maybe a little afraid to reflect so soon on something that is still quite close and tender. These fears may be part of the reason for Ken Burns’ five year standard! Yet, let us remember that company is one of the gifts of community, that we will have each other to..

Friends, if you are not already feeling so, please know this: you are going to get tired. Fatigue is real, especially when we are doing the work of dismantling white supremacy. If we don’t take the rest we need, the temptation to act out of white supremacy culture is that much stronger.

We have to assume that if we are engaged in dismantling white supremacy, then we will have to encounter it along the way.

Friends, move toward your purpose. Remember what is most essential. Let the rest go. We are here if you need help. 

I return to the Spiritual Leadership practice of doing my inner work. It may be the hardest practice of all. I want so many things to be different than they are — including myself. Yet the only path forward is to be right here in this real place, right now at this real time.