Why We Lead…
I received two notes from highly committed parishioners. Both thanked me for effectively leading our church through “crisis.” My first thought was “which crisis?” Since 2016 or so, the church world has been in a perpetual state of crisis. The tornados keep touching down and the tornados already on the ground never seem to lift.Continue reading “Why We Lead…”
Sixty Years in the Learning
In early April, I turned sixty. Sixty! Despite the depressing sound of it, sixty has been better than I expected. I am surrounded by love and by family. God has blessed my ministry beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I can still do most of what I could do when I was younger andContinue reading “Sixty Years in the Learning”
Why Words Matter
“Gentle words bring life and health; deceitful words crush the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4 The Bible opens in Genesis with words being spoken by God and the cosmos forming as a result. God said and there was. In the New Testament, Jesus heals, delivers and sets miracles into motion with words. When Jesus speaks, the KingdomContinue reading “Why Words Matter”
Strategic Reallocation of Resources (Post COVID)
Though COVID will “always be with us,” the pandemic seems largely over. It has been over for a while, the politicians and news outlets just needed another story to fill their news cycles. What that means for churches is where you presently are; is where you are going to be. No one else is comingContinue reading “Strategic Reallocation of Resources (Post COVID)”
Pound Cake and Sweet Tea
When we lived in Georgia during our seminary years, we resided in a planned community called a mill village. The houses had wrap around porches and people sat out front on warm summer evenings. They sat in painted metal gliders and wooden porch swings; always swaying as kids played in the sandy front yards. SomeContinue reading “Pound Cake and Sweet Tea”
Dealing with Disappointment (at Christmas)
It is 100% certain that you will be dealing with people who have disappointed you during this holiday season. When we are around people who have disappointed us in one way or the other, a myriad of emotions are sent into frenzy by our brain. Particularly if these people who have hurt us are peopleContinue reading “Dealing with Disappointment (at Christmas)”
A (Blue) Christmas Prayer
Almighty God,Be with those who are dreading the Christmas season this year.Be with those for whom loss and despair occlude hope and light.Be with those facing empty chairs at their tables and those who will sit at their tables alone.Be with those for whom this season reminds them of where they have failed and whatContinue reading “A (Blue) Christmas Prayer”
To the Journey! (What I Have Learned)
As of June 30, I wrapped up thirty-five years of vocational ministry. It all started in 1986 at the Herrin United Methodist Church where I was the Director of Family Life Ministries. Three years later, we left for seminary in Atlanta and I served the St. James Manchester/Chalybeate Springs Charge. After seminary, we shared ourContinue reading “To the Journey! (What I Have Learned)”
The Illusion of Perception (butter anyone?)
Not so long ago, an outspoken person I know was described to me as a “person who tells it like it is.” I replied, “Incorrect. That person tells it like they see it and how they see it is almost NEVER how it is!” The point was conceded in my favor. Often what we perceiveContinue reading “The Illusion of Perception (butter anyone?)”
Who is the Old Dude?
I celebrated a birthday last week. I am now officially fifty-nine. I saw my reflection in a window recently and wondered, “Who is the old dude?” I am pretty sure I am now older than my dad. I should have seen it coming. I didn’t, but I should have. It is like Christmas most years. Continue reading “Who is the Old Dude?”
A Dozen Things I am Seeing in Churches (Post Resurrection 2021)
I don’t think anyone knows what the church world is going to look like in the immediate future. It is not that “things have changed” and we need to adjust. It is that things won’t quit changing. Most of what I read concerning the future is what writers “hope happens” (extinction of the mega-church, collapseContinue reading “A Dozen Things I am Seeing in Churches (Post Resurrection 2021)”
Dump it Out
Thinking about people today; in particular, people I perceive have treated me unfairly. People who walked out, didn’t care to get accurate information and said things that hurt. I am sure everyone has a “they treated me wrong” bucket but the issue at hand is what to do with it. My suggestion is to emptyContinue reading “Dump it Out”
God Can Bless Anything (But Nothing)
When Melissa and I were married in 1983, we decided to tithe despite the fact we collectively made $60 a week. When I say tithe, I mean the old fashioned, ten percent off the top, tithe. Every week we wrote an extremely sacrificial check and put it in the offering plate, not just out ofContinue reading “God Can Bless Anything (But Nothing)”
Controlling What We Can
We have no say in how we are treated by others. We can not control what they say about us; whether what they say is true, whether we get a fair shake or whether we are denied the benefit of the doubt. What we CAN control are our attitudes, actions and reactions. We can choseContinue reading “Controlling What We Can”
Musings on MLK Weekend 2021
When my daughter Lydia was in high school we didn’t really talk much. We spent time together but we didn’t really talk. In fact, I used to joke that the words she most often spoke to me during her teen-age years were, “Dad, is mom there?” and that was over the telephone. When we didContinue reading “Musings on MLK Weekend 2021”
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Rev. Shane L. Bishop 