Recently my presbytery (translation: grouping of 60 or so PC(USA) churches in North Dakota) met for a significant meeting at which we discussed a 15-page Strategic Plan for the next five years of our life together. As they say, hindsight is 20/20, and looking back there were several process and leadership related points that with the [...]
ContinueMPR Commentary: “Let’s have some ground rules for debating the marriage amendment”
An opinion piece of mine went up at MPR News online today. In it, I try to set some ground rules for debating the marriage amendment that will be on Minnesota’s ballot come November. An excerpt of the article is below. I hope you go to the MPR site to read the full piece, share [...]
ContinueMy context, leadership strategy, & recent discoveries
A lot of my work leading The Project F-M has to do with understanding the context of Fargo-Moorhead, the broad context including young adults, older folks, and the established congregations in town. And then there’s the issue of my leadership, my self-awareness and approach to ministry. I’ve recently made some seemingly simple observations about both that have gone a long way in helping The Project F-M move forward.
ContinueReview: Heidi Campbell’s, “When Religion Meets New Media”
When I talk about new media in church contexts, the lens or framework people use as they speak of technology says a lot about the direction of the conversation. Some people, such as those who think the church should change to attract new younger members, praise technology for its amazing capabilities. Others, such as those suspicious that there is too much change in the church will speak of the deleterious effects of technology. Such conversations can become difficult to moderate, but the task will be easier for me now that I’ve read Heidi Campbell’s When Religion Meets New Media.
ContinueA place we don’t recognize anymore
A current Minnesota Public Radio promotional clip includes short phrases from several politicians’ recent speeches. One of them is Mitt Romney saying, “If we don’t step up, our country is going to turn into something we can’t recognize anymore” (approximate quote from memory). On MPR the quote plays without any context re the larger speech, but even so, it has great resonance with me (resonance, in a “sure folks think that” sort of way, not an “I agree” way). In fact, it’s a handy quick lens to explore perspectives on change in church, society, and politics.
ContinueThe glory of repurposing space
Much of the tension in the second season of Downtown Abbey has to do with the fact that the great house has been turned into a respite care center for army officers. This novel use of the space, coupled with so many new people about, provides a wonderfully entertaining storyline. In a weird way, it’s [...]
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Negative Gut Reaction to Smith’s, “Lost in Transition”
This will be less of a review than a gut reaction to the book Lost in Transition: The Dark Side of Emerging Adulthood by Christian Smith. I’m sure Smith’s scholarship is top-notch; his output and dual appointment in sociology and theology at Notre Dame is most impressive. I don’t know anything about his research methods, but [...]
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