On the Appointive Process . . .

Last updated on: November 28, 2011 at 6:12 pm By Christy Thomas

Tonight, my Staff-Parish Relations Committee meets to compile all their comments on me for the latest and greatest evaluative instrument rolled out by the Conference. They’ve also got to do another form called the Charge Profile where they are asked, among other things, to respond to this statement: “The qualities and functions of pastoral ministry needed to fulfill the mission and goals of the congregation.” Wanting to help them out a bit with these onerous tasks, and knowing my very... Read more

A Moment of Irony

Last updated on: November 28, 2011 at 11:32 am By Christy Thomas

In a moment of irony, right after I first published this post about churches shrinking when actually preaching the gospel, I received an email inviting me to a conference called The Large Church Initiative. Here is a list of the keynote speakers, many of whom I know personally and have much respect for their accomplishments and leadership skills. Now, I should not have received that invitation–it is a conference only for those who serve churches with 1000 or more members and 350 in worship... Read more

The Shrinking Church

Last updated on: November 28, 2011 at 11:14 am By Christy Thomas

So, here’s a good article to start the thinking process for pastors on Monday mornings–the day when many clergy, at least mentally, write their resignation letters. The author, Tim Suttle, is himself a pastor of what was once a rapidly growing church, but is now a shrinking church. What happened? He moved from a “what would make the people feel good,” highly pragmatic leadership and preaching style to one where he decided he needed to actually preach the gospel. He... Read more

This Time of the Year

Last updated on: November 22, 2011 at 11:06 am By Christy Thomas

Always at this time of the year, I find myself both looking forward to and dreading Christmas. I look forward to the music, to the lights and decorations. They remind me of angelic hosts announcing good news that God enters fully into human experience. I delight in the extra generosity that encourages us to look out for others especially at this time of the year. I am grateful for the parties and those who go to the trouble to host... Read more

The Cost of Silence

Last updated on: November 15, 2011 at 12:24 pm By Christy Thomas

I can hardly add more to the sadly unfolding mess at Penn State where witnessed and horrific child abuse apparently committed by Jerry Sandusky, former Assistant Coach and well known founder of The Second Mile charity, is just now coming to light. Lots of fingers are rightly being pointed at those who knew at least something about this and chose silence rather than decisive action. Silence at the very least means complicity—and goodness knows how many young lives have been... Read more

Out In the Open

Last updated on: November 10, 2011 at 10:33 am By Christy Thomas

I’m just now doing some extensive reading on the Penn State/Sandusky/Paterno/good old boy scandal. And I’m really trying not to throw up after I read one of the more graphic reports about what Sandusky did to a young boy in the shower room. We are all asking, “why?” of course. Or at least, all people with any moral compass as asking that. Here’s a quote from a NY Times article from a rioting student at Penn State: “We got... Read more

On Methods and Methodists

Last updated on: November 9, 2011 at 11:14 am By Christy Thomas

This past week, an irate reader of mine asked, “Why don’t you go after your own denomination?” I could answer, “It is too easy a target,” but that would be flippant and unkind. So where should I begin . . . Perhaps at the beginning. The denomination’s main name “Methodist” started as an 18th century version of the religious world’s “put-down.” John Wesley, founder of what is now The United Methodist Church, was an Anglican Clergyman. The Church of England... Read more

The Duggar Hypocrisy

Last updated on: November 9, 2011 at 10:38 am By Christy Thomas

[Note: This article was written in 2011. It is getting a lot of views right now since the Josh Duggar scandal hit the news. I have written more about that here.] Having confessed now to watching “Sister Wives,” I dig deeper into my TV watching habits. Periodically, I find I just have to discover what the Duggar Family (of “19 Kids and Counting” fame) is up to. Last night, Jim Bob and Michelle announced to the family and to their loyal... Read more

Could It Happen Again?

Last updated on: November 3, 2011 at 10:30 am By Christy Thomas

As I was perusing the Dallas Morning News today, the business news reminded me again that many of us baby boomers peering into the retirement years are not seeing a pretty picture. Another article noted that even more people have now slipped below the poverty line. Below is a graphic showing where the poverty line is drawn for differing household groupings: Then there was the third headliner that caught my eye on the business page: “Beautiful people benefit in... Read more

Sister Wives

Last updated on: November 2, 2011 at 12:07 pm By Christy Thomas

“It’s like watching a train wreck in slow motion. You know you should turn your eyes away, but you can’t.” That’s how a friend of mine described her reaction to the hit reality TV show “Sister Wives” which chronicles the life of Kody Brown, the sister wives, Meri, Janelle, Christine and Robin (AKA “the new skinny one”) and their countless children. I confessed last year that I watched it regularly. Still doing it, with new episodes now. The family members... Read more