Domestic lesson #2: When the cat stays outside
Our cat lives outside. Except for the winter when she sleeps in the garage.


Our cat lives outside. Except for the winter when she sleeps in the garage.

I was feeling guilty about my lack of exercise. So, I went for a 4km run. When I got back Elijah had donned a pair of mismatched socks and was ready to go running with me. I figured he’d last a few minutes before abandoning his dream of running with dad. I was wrong. We…
I’m on the hunt for some artists. Part of my teaching load this fall involves teaching a course called “Arts and Symbols in Christian Worship”. As part of my class prep, I have contacted a wide variety of people: everyone from a Greek Orthodox priest to a dramatically inclined, former college roommate who is currently…

Today marks the end of birthday week at our house. It’s a week of festivities and fun that begins with my daughter’s birthday and ends with my son’s. They were born seven days apart (in different years, of course). On Shawna’s birthday we spent the day hanging out, playing and reading. Today is very similar…

My annual staff review/evaluation is coming up on Tuesday. In past years, I’ve answered a questionnaire about how well I was doing according to my ministry (job) description. Things are different this year. Since we’re in a transition as a church, our interim lead pastor has asked us to answer questions like, “What’s your primary…

I got a phone call at the church on Wednesday. An unfamiliar woman was looking for our congregational care pastor and was accidently redirected to my extension. She had an urgent prayer request for her daughter who was on her way to the hospital. She needed a miracle. The woman called me back at home…

Here’s what I’m learning as a lead pastor of a multi-staff church: 1. Don’t let things fester. If there’s a problem, address it quickly. As soon as I hear that there are people asking other people about church leadership decisions, I call them and do what I can to address their questions personally. It keeps…