Dear ______: So good to hear from you! Glad to hear that you are doing well. Summer plans? The confusing spot you are in is, in a way, a lovely benefits of a residential seminary: you regularly talk with other people who are in the thick of theological exploration. They come from different backgrounds. They have different assumptions. They may be chewing on classes you […]
Letters to a Young Pastor: A Role Model for Your Preaching Life
Dear ______: Yes, your first preaching class brings a new and different challenge. I’ll confess I’m almost glad to hear you say you are terrified. I don’t want you to feel bad. But I do want you to take it seriously. For a literary role model I offer you Frodo from Tolkein’s The Lord of the […]
Letters to a Young Pastor: The Inner Life of the Writer
Dear ______: Sorry to let so much time lapse between letters. Thanks for your note, and I’m sorry that writing is proving to be such a struggle. You are in good company. If writing is part of what you do for a living then inner turmoil is probably another part. You can find a lot of professional […]
Letters to a Young Pastor: Giving Thanks
Dear ______: I’m sending this a bit early since I know you are heading out for the Thanksgiving break. I wanted to be sure it reaches you, especially since I know you are having a hard time just now. Holiday gatherings can amplify those feelings (imagine how ambivalent the poor turkey is), but I hope there is also […]
Letters to a Young Pastor: Getting to Know the Story of the Old Testament
Dear______: No, I am not kidding. The story of the Old Testament is actually pretty simple. Once you grasp it, all the parts make more sense. I know, finding your way around can be about as confusing as driving in Boston during construction season: The overall timeline is not made clear. Once you figure out the […]