Category Archives: Service

You Don’t Have to Do It All

I’m a 38-year pastoral veteran, now serving in a semi-urban, multi-ethnic congregation. I’ve never felt more overwhelmed. Though I’m not necessarily clocking in more pastoral hours, I am investing more grief and empathy—not to mention all the hours mulling over the threat to (and opportunity for) love, justice, unity, and mission that today’s issues present. I’m not busier,Continue reading “You Don’t Have to Do It All”

When You Don’t Measure Up

I don’t measure up. That feeling stirs in my heart when I read the daunting biblical qualifications for church leaders. From one perspective, what the Lord asks of leaders isn’t very different from what he asks of every Christian. Who shouldn’t be gentle and hospitable? Who shouldn’t avoid the love of money? But “above reproach”Continue reading “When You Don’t Measure Up”

Do We Like the Idea of Justice More Than Actually Doing Justice?

Social justice is cool. And talking about loving the poor and oppressed is super cool. Maybe you’ve got a shelf full of the latest books by social justice crusaders. Maybe you’ve been to the Justice Conference. Maybe you’ve shared that Francis Chan video on Facebook and spoken a silent “Yes!” Clicked “Like.” Retweeted. Me too.Continue reading “Do We Like the Idea of Justice More Than Actually Doing Justice?”

Josephine Butler’s work to free women from the evils of prostitution is as relevant now as it was a century and a half ago

This summer I am writing about some of my favourite Christian heroes and a particularly fascinating one is Josephine Butler (1828–1906). She is little known today despite being one of the most important Englishwomen of the nineteenth century. It’s not hard to find reasons for Josephine’s neglect. She worked tirelessly for decades trying to rescueContinue reading “Josephine Butler’s work to free women from the evils of prostitution is as relevant now as it was a century and a half ago”

Lessons I Learned While Trying to Save the World

I am a chronic idealist. Our culture’s messages of “save the world,” “lean in” and “YOLO” (You Only Live Once) are metaphorically tattooed on my heart, fueling a million and a half dreams I have to help change the world for the better. As a twentysomething right out of college, I packed those dreams withContinue reading “Lessons I Learned While Trying to Save the World”

A Glimpse of a Disciplined Life

One thing that always fascinates me when I read biographies is learning of other people’s habits. That’s especially true when the subject is extremely disciplined. Tim Chester’s Stott on the Christian Life is not quite a biography of John Stott, but it’s not far off. He gives an interesting glimpse of Stott’s normal, well-disciplined routines. Here isContinue reading “A Glimpse of a Disciplined Life”

Asylum seekers and refugees help Salvation Army respond to coronavirus food poverty

Asylum seekers and refugees are among the volunteers assisting The Salvation Army as it responds to food poverty during the coronavirus crisis. They are part of an army of volunteers packing essential food parcels and cooking meals to make sure people in need do not go without a hot dinner. As asylum seekers, many ofContinue reading “Asylum seekers and refugees help Salvation Army respond to coronavirus food poverty”