BCNE News
The latest news from our network of New England churches. Looking for our New England Perspectives Articles? Click here.
Thriving in ministry
Pastoral ministry is rewarding – but rewarding moments can also be very draining. When good things happen, the workload increases. In my case, that involved planting two churches that ultimately went on to purchase, finance and construct first unit buildings with volunteers.
This dynamic creates a paradox for us. As ministry is draining us, we are to be models of vibrancy and joy. We are to incarnate abundant living. How do we manage to do that when our roles are at times sucking the life out of us? Everyone’s journey is different but here are some things that helped me to thrive during my 34 years of serving in my native New England.
Timeless truths for Christians in a divided world
Last week I listened and watched in distress and disgust as a crowd of “protestors” overwhelmed security measures and ransacked the Capitol building. The images reminded me of the unstable governmental situations that prevail in too many African nations and the dysfunction and hardship that inevitably flows from that. It is not a place where anyone in their right mind would want to go. I pray that the church will play a vibrant role in leading our country back from the brink of irreconcilable division. If we are to be used of God in this way, these events need to remind us of some great truths that we must remember and incarnate.