Category Archives: congregational life

Book review: Learning the Way by Williams

Posted on March 23, 2009 by igalindo

I’ve just received in the mail a copy of Learning the Way, by Cassandra Williams (Alban Institute, 2009). I was asked to write the forward to this book. Here is an edited version:

Posted in books, Christian Education, congregational life, discipleship | 1 Comment

What I’d look for in a church

Posted on March 16, 2009 by igalindo

I recently attended a denominational meeting where my I.D. badge noted the name of the church of which I’m a member. That information triggered a conversation when someone reading the name of the church asked me how I liked my … Continue reading →

Posted in congregational life, worship | Comments Off on What I’d look for in a church

Congregations during pastoral transitions

Posted on March 9, 2009 by igalindo

Pastoral transitions can be anxiety-ridden times for congregations. Congregations that go through an interim period without pastoral leadership need to navigate transition without an organization’s chief resource: its leader. That transition involves many challenges, including, disruption of homeostasis, a shift … Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory, congregational life, leadership, second chair | Comments Off on Congregations during pastoral transitions

When is a cutoff not a cutoff?

Posted on March 2, 2009 by igalindo

At a recent workshop with clergy on Bowen Family Systems Theory and congregational leadership one lingering question came up. When dealing with the concept of cutoffs among clergy, it has become inevitable that someone will bring up the matter of … Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory, congregational life, leadership | 2 Comments

Caught by surprise

Posted on February 23, 2009 by igalindo

Every once in a while I hear something in church that catches me by surprise. It’s usually not a good surprise, admittedly. More often than not the surprising comment reveals a disconnect between my perception or assumption of church and … Continue reading →

Posted in congregational life, humor | 2 Comments

Ash Wednesday planning ideas

Posted on February 4, 2009 by igalindo

GRACE member Terry sent an e-mail to the rest of the gang soliciting Ash Wednesday service ideas. Several in the group shared ways their churches have observed Ash Wednesday services in the past. But I enjoyed the response from GRACE … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Education, congregational life, liturgical seasons | 2 Comments

Book review: Leaders Who Last, by Marcuson

Posted on January 19, 2009 by igalindo

Margaret Marcuson touches all the right bases in her first book for congregational leaders, Leaders Who Last: Sustaining Yourself and Your Ministry (Seabury Press, 2009). It is a primer on effective ministerial leadership based on perennial principals and much influenced … Continue reading →

Posted in books, bowen family systems theory, congregational life, leadership | Comments Off on Book review: Leaders Who Last, by Marcuson

Pondering the imponderables

Posted on January 15, 2009 by igalindo

Some of my students in my philosophy course are starting to get annoyed that the professor doesn’t answer their questions. More often than not, when a student asks a question, the professor will respond, “That’s a good question,” or, “What … Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory, congregational life, leadership | 1 Comment

Virtual church

Posted on December 16, 2008 by igalindo

Some of us observe with amusement, and some impatience, the ongoing occasional conversations in theological education about the legitimacy, value, or congruence of online delivery for seminary education. At one time it was appropriate to include in that conversation talk … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Education, congregational life, philosophy, technology and education | Comments Off on Virtual church

Self care and self-definition

Posted on November 25, 2008 by igalindo

For ministers, and aspiring ministers, who embrace that part of their calling involves service to others, self-denial, and self-sacrifice, investing in self-care can be a challenge. Whatever its source, feelings of obligation, guilt, or shame; or a lacking sense of … Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory, congregational life, personal growth | 1 Comment