The Pastor's Abbey: Recent Episodes
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“You are like Moses.” He smiled as he said it. I nervously laughed. No one had said that to me before. “What do you mean?” I said. He said, “You are a man of privilege, with years of education, training, influence and resources.” Then this wise African American leader asked the question. “What are you […]
“I’m covered in Jesus’ blood!” A Christian almost sings this mantra to explain why Coronavirus can’t touch the faithful. The image the Christian uses disturbs us. A smiling white-teethed, human being poured over and dripping with the emptied blue-veined remains of another. It’s cult-like. Demented. The use made of the image bothers us too. Do […]
A preacher promises immunity from Covid-19. He says, “If you are born again, read your Bible, and tithe, you have the Ps. 91 protection policy!” Another defies social distancing to prove his faith in the midst of fear. What are we to make of this? At first glance, you can see why such preachers urge […]
Candle-wishes on birthday cakes are fun and meaningful, like childhood songs, “Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight.” We whisper and hum what we hope for. But, once we blow out candles, what do we hope in? Pandemic times […]
People are afraid. Pandemic has found them. The songwriter offers hope. “Don’t be afraid!” he says. But hope must be realistic to help. Amid its sturdy promises, we mustn’t overlook the realism that Psalm 91 uses to describe pandemic conditions. How do we even begin to handle a pandemic? First, we have to get honest […]
“I am the way, and the truth and the life, No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jesus) Jesus sounds narrow minded and arrogant. He suggests that we locate God through no other way but His. This kind of exclusive claim disgusts many of us. We are wore out with the mean […]
A husband and wife may go years and never step foot into each other’s workplace, except for a holiday party or summer picnic. But the spouse of a pastor not only goes to her mate’s place of work once or more times each week, a spouse is also expected to build her intimate friendships and […]
“What would it be like if you added one word to your stated ministry goal to multiply home groups?” “What is the word?” he asked. “Sustainable” I ventured. “To multiply sustainable home groups. Or,” I continued, “To multiply relationally healthy home groups” or “To multiply soul rested home groups.” We sped down the highway. I […]
As Pastors we know that Jesus teaches us to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength (Matthew 22:37; Luke 10:27). But when we attempt to teach this love for God to others, we run into obstacles as ministry leaders. Why is this and what can we do? Pay Attention to the […]