There has been some buzz, both associated with the #sustainministry theme and the fear of shortages in the ministry, that there should be some intermediate ministerial status. To which I noted to those within earshot that the Universalists once licensed ministers, and that we could consider doing so again. There were licensed ministers — holdovers… Continue reading The last of the licensed ministers
Category: Ministerial practice
Economics of Ministry, 1856 edition
Before the #sustainmininstry thread fades (presumably to revive at General Assembly) I wanted to meditate on how our ancestors coped. In my last blog post, I opined that ministerial shortages were practically a tradition. So is coping with meagre funds. This theme cropped up continuously when I worked on my never-finished master’s thesis — golly… Continue reading Economics of Ministry, 1856 edition
A ministerial shortage is practically our tradition
It’s hard for me to get too wound up about the prospect of a perceived ministerial shortage in the parishes, as reported in the UUWorld. (“Demand for interim ministers outruns supply“) Until a generation or so ago, ministerial shortages were common. Low pay, poor prospects and frequently harrowing conditions meant that ministerial supply has been… Continue reading A ministerial shortage is practically our tradition
The automated ministry
The prospect of job automation is more than a bit scary. Everyone likes a bit of help, provided that bit doesn’t help them out of a job. NPR ran a feature (“Will Your Job Be Done by a Machine?,” May 21) While some professions will almost certainly be automated to some degree, there’s only a… Continue reading The automated ministry
Should Christian worship have non-biblical readings?
Having non-biblical readings has become such a canon among mainline Unitarian Universalists that Unitarian Universalist Christians face a crisis on the subject of readings. Is it proper to have non-biblical readings in worship? The question of authority isn’t clear-cut. My home library has several works of daily readings: selected sections meant to be read regularly… Continue reading Should Christian worship have non-biblical readings?
The economics of supply preaching
I’d love some feedback from my readers — anonymous with a legitimate email address is fine in this case — to find out what supply preachers are getting paid, if anything. A denominational identification and a general sense of the area (region and relative cost of living) would also be very helpful. Why? Because supply… Continue reading The economics of supply preaching
Give to a ministerial discretionary fund
This is the time of the year — after Christmas, before New Year — when I review my charitable giving and either try to do just a bit more, or make up for lost opportunities. So I review what’s touched my heart over the last year — a months’ old situation is unlikely not to… Continue reading Give to a ministerial discretionary fund
Resuming blogging etc.
It has been an eventful month or so, with many challenges and opportunities. None, other than Daisy’s injury, is worth mentioning in public, but together they’ve left me exhausted and occasionally discouraged. None all that exceptional, but as a group… whew. Daisy, I’m glad to say, is almost healed. Vitamin E on the scar tissue,… Continue reading Resuming blogging etc.
A pastor without a car?
A similar post, like Wednesday’s. Musing on a reality that “might ought could” (as we say in the South) be examined, even challenged. Is it practically possible, say, in a larger city or even a large college town, to pastor a church without a car? I’m not sure it is. It assumes your home, church… Continue reading A pastor without a car?
Coding for …?
In my experience, attempts to introduce technology lessons for lawyers means an opportunity for clergy, too. Small-firm lawyers and clergy very often have this much in common: a need for technology, perhaps more than is currently thought, and few opportunities to learn about it, even though they have a deep educational background. I mentioned this… Continue reading Coding for …?