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Essays

Thoughtful personal reflections from a variety of perspectives about issues relevant to Christian leaders

Elesha Coffman: When pulpit and pew disagree

By Elesha Coffman

What can Christian leaders do when the official teachings of mainline Protestant churches and the political ideologies of the laity diverge?

The abundant waters of faith

By Gretchen E. Ziegenhals Spiritual director and retreat leader

A Chagall painting helps us consider abundance and scarcity in our work and how we practice our faith.

The call to prepare staff

By David L. Odom Executive director, Leadership Education at Duke Divinity

What skills are most needed to practice ministry in your context? How can you inspire and encourage the development of those capacities in yourself and your colleagues?

The false choice between tradition and innovation

By Nathan Kirkpatrick Principal, Saison Consulting, LLC

The challenges congregations and institutions face require thinking that can hold together seemingly conflicting ideas or strategies to find generative “third ways” forward.

Tending to the work on the ground

By Alaina Kleinbeck Associate Executive Director, Coordination Programs

While we tend to the monotony of ministry, we demonstrate our commitment to the community and create the possibility for real hope and real transformation.

Richard J. Mouw: Machiavelli and Christian leadership

The former president of Fuller Theological Seminary is no fan of Machiavelli. But he does wish for a 'seminary president's guidebook' that would match the scope and complexity of Machiavelli's writings on political leadership.

By Richard J. Mouw Professor and former president, Fuller Theological Seminary

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Ken Evers-Hood: How could games be part of church?

Pastors live with a painful inner conflict -- we often aren’t doing the good we want to do. Games, which can connect us to others and to a larger purpose, might help.

By Ken Evers-Hood Pastor, Tualatin Presbyterian Church

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Ed Moore: Amy May Rabbit, heretic

A stuffed bunny who has served to teach dozens of students how to perform the sacrament of baptism reminds a pastor that we never celebrate the sacrament in isolation from a history that begins at creation and continues into the present and on toward the new Jerusalem.

By Ed Moore Retired United Methodist elder

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Lisa G. Fischbeck: The season of arrivals

By Lisa G. Fischbeck Vicar

An Episcopal priest walks the line between welcoming newcomers and being willing to let them go.

The gift of new viewpoints

By Gretchen E. Ziegenhals Spiritual director and retreat leader

Surveying God’s handiwork, from the top of a tower or from a rocking chair, reminds us that the reign of God is at the heart of our Christian leadership.