You Might Be a Church Dork If...

By
Jan at A Church for Starving Artists writes about "church dorkitude." She has some very good commentary on the concept, but I'm not going to get that serious here. I'm just going to go all Jeff Foxworthy and reveal some of my own church dorkitude.

You might be a church dork if...

...starting in June, you eagerly anticipate your new UCC desk calendar...

...you measure time by the liturgical year more than the seasons, school year, or national holidays...

...you can't wait for General Synod to roll around again...

...one of your favorite places to be is in an empty sanctuary...

...you collect Bibles, hymnals and/or books of worship...

...you become giddy when the pastor of another church looking to get rid of its pews half-jokingly offers you one...

...you find the quirks of parsonages charming rather than inconvenient.

So, who's got one they'd like to share?

Order my books!













Sign up for my author newsletter!

powered by TinyLetter

Popular posts from this blog

Advent Candle Liturgies

By
Image
A couple of years ago, I wrote a series of liturgies for lighting the Advent wreath each Sunday of Advent, plus one for Christmas Eve.

They were well-received when I originally posted them, and with the season coming up in just a few more weeks, it seemed like a good time to share them again in case you are a pastor or worship leader still putting together your order of service.

These could also be adapted for personal devotional use.

The First Candle: Hope
The Second Candle: Peace
The Third Candle: Joy
The Fourth Candle: Love
The Christ Candle

May your preparations for the season to come be Spirit-filled.

(Image source)
Read more

Three Reasons Not to Sit Still While Praying

By
Image
If you've ever picked up a book about prayer or attended a spiritual retreat or workshop, most of them tend to prescribe the same method.

Find a quiet place. Sit still. Assume a position that will be comfortable for you (that is, that you'll be able to remain in for a while). Center your breathing to calm yourself. Usually at some point while this method is described, a line from Psalm 46 is quoted: "Be still and know that I am God."

I love this general style of prayer. When I myself am able to find the time to observe it, it helps take me away from the busyness of my days and helps me refocus on God's presence. But I confess that I don't always make time to do this, because that busyness can be so distracting and exhausting that by the time I do have a free moment, I'd rather just wind down on my couch with a TV show or book for a little while before going to bed.

If my anecdotal experience as a pastor is any indication, I am far from the only one. I he…
Read more