Holy Days and Connections

REPLAY: Perhaps that’s an overstatement, but Dylan Wilson of Bearden United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, shares some of the challenges of doing online ministry with youth and young adults in this time of social distancing.  His creative work with video is bringing people into a place of participation in worship that he finds compelling. …

Rev. Donna Claycomb Sokol is the pastor of Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church in Washington, DC.  Prior to the pandemic, this church worked to include people from all walks of life in ministry.  The mission continues with new fervor and passion, but through its online presence, the circle is drawn much wider.

Dr. Melissa Hofstetter of Shepherd Heart joins me today for a fascinating discussion of neuroscience, trauma, and pastoral self-care.  As too many pastors live on the verge of burnout (or worse), this is an important discussion that begs close attention.  I hope you’ll join us and find it helpful.

Rev. Julie Pennington-Russell is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Washington, DC, a congregation that is setting aside its beautiful neo-Gothic sanctuary for the intimacy of worship in the home.  She reflects on this experience as a new setting for the Holy to emerge in our lives.

Relying on a Facebook-only strategy for streaming your worship services is risky.  With all social media, you are not in control; a better way to go is outlined in my latest webinar.  You can find it at https://lakelandsinstitute.com/social-webinar.  I hope to see you there!

Some of these interviews are so good they bear repeating; this one definitely falls in that category.  Rev. Dr. Laurence Hesser is the pastor of a mid-sized United Methodist church in rural Tennessee.  His own quest to understand his congregation’s needs led him to quickly learn how to make quality video, and has seen his…