Nurturing our children’s inborn spirituality
“All children people are born artists, the problem is to remain an artist as we grow up,” said Sir Ken Robinson, a creativity expert, quoting Picasso in a recent lecture. In his funny, yet disturbing, lecture, Sir Ken emphasized how we have “educated people out of their creative capacities.” While his finger was pointing at [...]
Minister with youth, not to them
With no regret I can say that not every congregation in the Diocese can have a large youth group. Now that the air is cleared and the truth is out there, a more important question remains: what can every congregation, in particular small congregations, do to have a vibrant youth ministry?
As Jason Beschiniski, Diocesan Youth [...]
Minister with youth, not to them
With no regret I can say that not every congregation in the Diocese can have a large youth group. Now that the air is cleared and the truth is out there, a more important question remains: what can every congregation, in particular small congregations, do to have a vibrant youth ministry?
As Jason Beschiniski, Diocesan Youth [...]
Youth encouraged to find their voice at convention
“Amendments to amendments to amendments.” Although this is not really possible in parliamentary procedure, this is what quite a few youth told me when I asked them about what they expected from going to convention. Thankfully, the reality was much more rewarding.
Twenty-three youth came to convention this year, a significant increase from last year. Four [...]
Camp wraps up season
And it was good. Already August has brought the close of Camp Cross’s main season and with it the bittersweet feeling of the end of an unforgettable summer. As we started out this summer exploring God’s New Creation, it seemed as though the summer’s newness would never end. Now, looking back, it stands out as [...]
Journeying together in ministry and mission
The question just keeps coming. What IS ministry development?
One assumption is that ministry development is all about producing locally trained priests and deacons. Another is that ministry development is only for small struggling congregations. Like so many aspects of our faith itself, neither is true by itself, but each holds a grain of truth.
Both assumptions [...]
Stepping back allows us to grow
At this time, sitting here in the office at Camp Cross, I am overwhelmed with the wonder of this place. Of the ability for this part of creation to factor into the transformation of so many lives. This part of creation, filled with people who are learning about themselves, about what it means to be [...]
Taking our nourishment into the world
And how was your Pentecost Sunday? Pentecost is that day when we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit into the midst of Jesus’ followers. On this day, the Holy Spirit became truly alive to us as God’s breath, working in us to accomplish God’s mission in the world. Through the gifts bestowed upon us [...]
Discerning and developing congregational ministries
Last month, I wrote of ministry development and what it might look like. But I left out one part of that picture – the ministry developer. Ministry developers are hard at work in many dioceses across this country and Canada.
In February, the Diocese of Spokane hosted the annual meeting of Living Stones. Living Stones is [...]
Putting out the new welcome mat
Do you remember setting out a new welcome mat with the fresh message to convey invitation and welcome into your home? People cross that threshold as they come and go, to and from your place of welcome.
Time passes on. The message is the same, WELCOME, and yet the mat ceases to function as originally designed. [...]
