addressing the long arc of ministry >> Explore
sustaining leaders for a lifetime >> Explore
administered by CTS for Lilly Endowment >> Explore
"The gospel, spoken well" -- Augustine >> Explore
By Debora Jackson | How do we balance the demands of leadership—caring for the congregation, doing the work of the church, and serving in the community; while also tending to our own spiritual well-being? This is one of the greatest challenges of ministry. When we lead with vision and vitality, our churches and communities can thrive.
By Joyce Thomas | Three months ago I finished a class entitled “Mindful Meditation” that taught meditation and yoga exercises. It was a weekly, two and a half hour class dealing with relaxation of the mind and body to get in touch with bottled-up thoughts, feelings, and body sensations. Mindful meditation works on the premise of focusing the mind in the present, being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present without judging yourself.
By Callie J. Smith | Educator and activist Parker J. Palmer wrote a recent piece for the On Being blog whose title alone suggests volumes: “The Modern Violence of Over-Work.” Over-work is an issue. As needful as rest is for clergy, it’s needful for laity, too. Unique as the pastor’s roles are, and uniquely relentless as the pastor’s responsibilities can be, clergy inhabit these roles and responsibilities in a larger culture which itself struggles with imbalance.
The Pastoral Excellence Network is pleased to announce that Bethany Fellows has been awarded a $25,000 PEN Catalyst Grant to expand their work into widening, ecumenical circles.
Details and application materials for the 2015 programs are now available. Application materials (the “Request for Proposals” document) for the 2015 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs include a full description of program guidelines and eligibility. Applicants may apply using either the print application or the online application system. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2015.
Introduction to The Five Most Common Preaching Mistakes series, by Frank A. Thomas. Watch on YouTube.
MLK Jr. “I have a dream” speech video: produced by Salt Project, WFYI, and CTS Watch on YouTube
Nadia Bolz-Weber, Eugene Cho, and Tony Lee share best ideas for social media (short) Watch on YouTube
Eleven noted contributors join a growing current that sees conversation as an image to refresh our thinking about the nature and purpose of the church. Read >>
This book examines the role of Martin Luther King Jr. as both thought-leader and activist and the convergence of ideas and action in his life. Read >>
Re-Storying Your Faith helps people discover multiple faith stories to give meaning to their spiritual journey. Read >>
This free webinar will teach spiritual leaders the art of sanctuary, a process that can help restore and sustain spiritual resources while realizing greater effectiveness in leadership.
Visit the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs at our booth at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference in Norfolk, VA!