CONTINUE THE DEBATES
If you could wave a magic wand and grant a gift to not only your church but the whole church, across the world, what would it be? As I have been reading the book of Acts lately, it is clear that the church did not have unanimity, not a perfect understanding of Christ or the faith. There were plenty of debates about how they should proceed. Many of their leaders suffered for their faith and experienced success in other moments. Yet, even with their debates, they were united to the Christ that called them together. I understand the debates we have across the history of the church. They shape our understanding of the faith as it finds expression in our constantly changing society. What I fail to understand is how we can split the Body of Christ and feel justified in another form of crucifixion.
HEALTHY CLERGY NOT ALWAYS RIGHT
It appears to me that the issue for us is not avoiding debate but avoiding the humility to recognize that none of us has perfect insight. Healthy clergy, I would contend, are willing to share their deepest insights but also listen to those who differ with them. Healthy churches are led by spiritually vigorous clergy who guide them in exploring the mystery of faith that none of them will ever fully understand. Neither expects the other to be perfect, but both are committed to continue the journey.
TAKE THE BIBLICAL JOURNEY
Begin with Abram and Sarai and move through the major biblical figures of our faith through both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament and you will discover God speaking through very human figures. Two prime figures that bear study are David in the Hebrew Scriptures and Saul/Paul prior and post call in the New Testament. This is not to justify their sinful behaviors but to learn to trust that God can work through those who God has called to nurture the community of faith.
CLERGY EMOTIONAL HEALTH
If you did not take advantage of downloading the Healthy Clergy Make Healthy Churches this past week, you have the opportunity to download for free an important book in the series this weekend. Sept. 11-13 offers Clergy Emotional Health for free in support of the health of our churches.
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It’s not easy to be a healthy and courageous pastor in this emotionally unstable society in which we are living.
THE POWER OF EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY CLERGY
Clergy, as well as other leadership positions in a church, experience emotional stress in many forms. Emotional stress can come from
- good experiences,
- successes,
- trivia,
- crisis
- and the routines of church life.
Nerve endings that are rubbed raw take longer to heal than tired muscles and physical exhaustion. Clergy Emotional Health offers strategies and actions that not only clergy, but also other church leaders, congregations, and judicatories can take to support healthy leadership.
http://bit.ly/clrgyEmotHealth
