Three is a Magic Number

“Kelly, you really need to write about some of this.”   When I've found myself in conversation sharing the joys and challenges of institutional church planting, people have often encouraged me to write about it.  I don’t know… maybe I've just sounded really fragmented and they’re hoping the writing process would get me put back together.  Or maybe I've spoken with a lot of intensity and they've wanted to hear it on paper.  (Me, speaking with intensity?  Nooo... sarcasm intended.)   Honestly, I need to get some distance before I can do any real writing.  I do have things to say which I hope could help other denominational or post-denominational church planters and developers.  I've learned a lot.  Those ideas need some more simmering though.  For now, I just have the brainstormed list in the white box.  If I ever write a book, I think it's going to be called something like...  Post-Mainline: If...

I’m what’s called bi-vocational.  In addition to my ministry work, I also teach in the School Counseling, School Psychology, and Special Education Department at public university in Wisconsin.  Sometimes I disclose to my students I’m a professor by day and a pastor by night (and weekend).  It makes for interesting pre and post-lecture fodder. Sometimes students are interested in the effects of religiosity on social-emotional development, asking about the topic in class or bringing up the topic during student presentations.  I love the intersection of mental health and spirituality, so if it fits the course content, I let the class discussion linger around the topic for a bit.  Beyond an opportunity to examine research, the topic also provides the perfect opportunity for students practice what we call ‘checking their values.’     The course textbook for my class Emotional and Behavioral Problems of Children and Adolescents has a s...

For a recent professional development task, I was asked to reflect on some questions, giving answers that could catch people's attention on social media.  Super fun activity.  Thought I'd share. 1. How do you know God is real? If I knew God was real, I don't think I would need faith. 2. What does it mean to be made in the Image of God? You are valuable and worthy beyond your wildest imagination simply because you exist. 3. Is God in charge? Not in charge, but awfully persuasive. Theodicy... God is radically loving, powerfully persuasive, and persistently present. I can't ask for more than that. 4. What is the Trinity? A three-fer explanation of how humans explain their experience with God. 5. What is wrong with us? Nothing. Shame is the problem, not sin. 6. What is the Gospel? A living message (like a reef): Belonging, healing, reconciliation, liberation, and social justice. 7. How do we know what is true? The quad is cool. And it's best whe...

I’m coming up on my one year anniversary of my first pastoral appointment.   And I have a lot to say about church planting: about how I'm learning to risk and persevere, about the experience of herding cats (um, I mean progressive Christians), about how much easier it is for people to talk about churchy things over wine, beer, or coffee, and about how I see a lot of people seeking spirituality and asking questions.   Maybe at some point, I’ll write a little ditty on each of those things.   For today, I want to write a bit about what evangelism looks like to me. I know, I know.   That word “evangelism” is probably conjuring up modern images in you—maybe a political voting block, praise and worship music, praying a certain kind of prayer, a robust faith.   Let all that go for a second so we can look at few ways the word has been used. At one time in the not so distant past, the most prominent feature of those identifying as evangelical wa...

 I find my husband’s family—the Christensen clan—is absolutely delightful.     Fourth of July is a big event for us.   I’ve been to Hill City’s Independence Day celebration since 1996, except for one year, last summer.   I was super busy doing an internship in recovery ministry, and just couldn’t get away.   But this year I was back, and wow… something strange happened.   After taking a year off, everything felt new again.   The same feelings I had in 1996 came back:   “Wow, this is so much fun.   What a sense of family!   What a sense of community!   Babies to seniors, all playing together.   Pontoon rides, campfires, fireworks, street games, etc, etc, etc.”   After going north for the 4 th of July year after year, it’s almost as if I was desensitized to the whole sensory experience of it.   So this year, it all came flooding back. And what’s even stranger, the thin...

When one is planting a new church, there is little time for reflection on much else.   All my thinking energy seems to be going into the project. My younger sister has become accustomed to me venting to her about all kinds of social issues.   Those who know me aren’t surprised to know I have a pretty big soap box.   Passionate… that’s the word.   On the phone with my sister this week, she was a little surprised to hear I didn’t have much to say about the Charleston domestic terrorist attack.   Feeling out of "thinking energy," I found myself saying, I can’t think about the attack because it will put me into a funk, and I can’t afford that.   Yep, my privilege gives me the option of what I choose to care about and what I don’t.   Sad, huh?      Well, then I watched the president’s eulogy of Rev. Pinckney.   Again my privilege crept in, tempting me to culturally misappropriate the speech… hummm… maybe I could use it at ch...

I just got back from my first annual conference as a voting clergy person.  Given the year I've had in ministry, the three days were a roller coaster of emotions. Here's me in my robe... first time I've worn one.  Generally I hate them, and I'll blog about #thestoleproblem at some point.  But I have to say, wearing this robe was special.  The robe actually belonged to my aunt Jane who died several years back.  Most ordination ceremonies include a time for those who feel called to ministry to come forward for encouragement and prayer.  It would be a strange sight to see a robed person going forward.  After all, anyone wearing a robe is already clergy and has answered his/her call. But I did go forward--in my robe--straight to my where my district superintendent was stationed.  She has been an incredible support to me.  I gathered courage and said: I'm coming up to tell you a story. ...