http://imperfectchurches.org "No Perfect People Allowed" Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:47:14 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I just met with a man in a nursing home who is facing a major medical challenge.  He has also been sober and in AA for over 30 years.  He told me about how he was handling this challenge.   I suggested that AA helps people to face their challenges.  He ... http://imperfectchurches.org/?p=60 I just got back from a trip to Dubuque Iowa. I was presenting a seminar for the Sacred Practice Leadership series which is a program sponsored by the Alban Institute and the Center for Renewal. I presented with another Alban author named Karen McClintock. We spoke ... http://imperfectchurches.org/?p=54 I was paying for my coffee at Cumberland Farms a few weeks ago, and I noticed that they were selling cigarette lighters at the counter.  I did not need one, but I was looking at the sayings and pictures on them.  One said, "I have Issues."  This made me laugh ... http://imperfectchurches.org/?p=50 My denomination won a grant from the Lily foundation on sustaining pastoral excellence. This focus on excellence has been an interesting one for our clergy and churches. I remember one setting where the pastors of our churches wanted to strive for "effectiveness" rather than "excellence." For me ... http://imperfectchurches.org/?p=49 I have included a link for the Sacred Practices Leadership Series. This is a two year program for clergy and lay leaders that I am helping with. It is a program which is in part sponsored by the Alban Institute and the Center for Renewal. The focus ... http://imperfectchurches.org/?p=48 One of the key things I have been focusing on at my new church is communication. I think that avoiding triangular relationships with others and being "triangled" by others is a key step to improving communication. Church people need to learn how to interact with each other in ... http://imperfectchurches.org/?p=47 I had a meeting yesterday to talk about the Sacred Practice Leadership Series that I am involved with. I am one of the presenters in this program. There are six sacred practices that we are focusing on: visioning, discernment, relationship, prayers, proclamation, and service. I am presenting ... http://imperfectchurches.org/?p=46 I was officially installed as the new senior pastor of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Attleboro, Massachusetts yesterday. This is the imperfect church I am now serving. I left one imperfect church to begin serving another imperfect church. We are off to a good start. It ... http://imperfectchurches.org/?p=45 My primary focus at my new church has been getting to know the staff and getting to know the people.  I am getting to know the staff through staff meetings and working together.  The primary way I am trying to get to know the people is through "focus groups."  These ... http://imperfectchurches.org/?p=44 The month of August has been a bit of a blur. On August 2 & 3 we celebrated 15 years of ministry at Salem Covenant Church in Washington, Connecticut. It was a great weekend filled with a lot of emotion and appreciation. Then on Tuesday the ... http://imperfectchurches.org/?p=43