Chaplainmike

The Pastoral Ministry of Absence

The Pastoral Ministry of Absence There is a fine and thought-provoking article at CT by Stephen L. Woodworth called, “The Ministry of Absence.” In it, Pastor Woodworth uses personal anecdotes from his ministry along with insights from Henri Nouwen to encourage pastors to remember that, in the final analysis, people need God and not theContinue reading “The Pastoral Ministry of Absence”

Rowan Williams on Baptism (2)

Rowan Williams on Baptism (2) Today we continue our series of reflections on Rowan Williams’s book, Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer. As we continue to hear what Williams has to say about baptism, he reminds us that, being baptized into the life of Christ, we partake of and grow into his identity. One classicContinue reading “Rowan Williams on Baptism (2)”

Enjoy the Labor Day Holiday!

See you tomorrow!

Sunday with Ron Rolheiser: Sacred Work

Sunday with Ron Rolheiser Sacred Work We lack a good theology of work. Too often work is seen as something that takes us away from the God and prayer, a distraction to the spiritual life. Hard work is admitted to be a good, honest thing, but, even so, never a holy thing in itself,Continue reading “Sunday with Ron Rolheiser: Sacred Work”

The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: Sept. 1, 2018 — Labor Day Edition

The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: Sept. 1, 2018 — Labor Day Edition By all these lovely tokens September days are here, with summer’s best of weather and autumn’s best of cheer. • Helen Hunt Jackson For Labor Day — Some less than sanguine quotes about work… Hard work never killed anybody, but why take aContinue reading “The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: Sept. 1, 2018 — Labor Day Edition”

Jonathan Aigner — Farewell, Willow Creek: Where the “Regular” Churches Can Go From Here

Farewell, Willow Creek: Where the “Regular” Churches Can Go From Here by Jonathan Aigner It looks like the beginning of the end at Willow Creek. They aren’t saying that, but I feel like that’s what’s happening. If so, good riddance. And you can take the megachurch movement you spawned with you. I’m sorry if IContinue reading “Jonathan Aigner — Farewell, Willow Creek: Where the “Regular” Churches Can Go From Here”

What Killed Off the Dinosaurs?

What Killed Off the Dinosaurs? The Atlantic has an article about the cause of the dinosaur extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period, 66 million years ago and the raucous debate within geological circles. Overall it’s a pretty good article, mostly addressed to laymen, and doesn’t get too scientific. And let’s face it, dinosaurs areContinue reading “What Killed Off the Dinosaurs?”

Another Look: I Can’t Get No…

Another Look: I Can’t Get No… I was perusing the IM Archives the other day and came across a post I wrote a few years ago. It was simple and short, based on a sentence by Dallas Willard I had read in a book on spiritual formation. I didn’t know what to make of itContinue reading “Another Look: I Can’t Get No…”

Rowan Williams on Baptism (1)

Rowan Williams on Baptism (1) Today we begin a series of reflections on Rowan Williams’s book, Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer. My congregation celebrated its 180th anniversary yesterday. That’s quite a historical legacy. When I serve as interim pastor this winter, I’ve been thinking about doing some preaching and teaching that goes back toContinue reading “Rowan Williams on Baptism (1)”

Monday with Michael Spencer: How to Talk (and Not to Talk) to Evangelicals on a Journey

Monday with Michael Spencer How to Talk (and Not to Talk) to Evangelicals on a Journey From 2009 Dear Well-Meaning Non-Evangelical Friend, Please sit down, have a cup of tea or coffee…and listen. I see that you’ve responded to some of us who are pilgrims in the evangelical community and who are on a journeyContinue reading “Monday with Michael Spencer: How to Talk (and Not to Talk) to Evangelicals on a Journey”