Thriving Clergy
Thrive in 5 – Intellectual- Informing Your Understanding of Culture
Pastors assist people to be faithful disciples of Jesus in the midst of a culture that is in need of redemption. But how can you as a pastor be best informed about the nature of that culture?
Sanctifying Context
Higher education is facing significant challenges but these challenges have prompted reflection on the purpose of Christian higher education in particular.
Polarized: 3 Ways to Preach Unity in a Divided Political Climate
By Ethan Linder | May 18, 2017 What does the church do after a divisive election year? Though we’ve faced this question before, its implications seem particularly important in the wake of this political season. Churches are grappling with how to reconcile...
Sabbaticals: Learning to Thrive
By Jessica White | Oct 14, 2016 The word “sabbaticals” is sometimes accompanied by a negative connotation. When ministers consider a sabbatical they think: “There is never a good time to get away. If I leave now, the church will fall apart.”...
Lilly Endowment Makes Grants to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders Nationwide
The Wesleyan Church has received a grant of $1,000,000 as part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders. The initiative supports a variety of religious organizations across the nation as they address...
Residency Spotlight: Lindsay Hafner: from Painting to Planting
An artist with a passion for people, Lindsay Hafner knew her call to ministry early on. But it was not until years later, through a residency position at Awakening Church, that Lindsay realized God’s vision for church planting. Lindsay’s ministry began...
Gordon Ritchie: A Physician of the Soul
Gordon Ritchie recently retired from a fulfilling career as a United States Marine Corps Chaplain. After twenty-four years of service, Ritchie has had an influence on many young people in the United States Navy. His career–shaped by honor, hope, presence, and...
A Different Kind of Networking—FLAME student Bonni Eastlack and her counter-cultural call to discipleship
“I have a strong passion for the 21st century church and its place in the community. Every community has its institutions, schools, municipalities. I believe in the church becoming a strong establishment in our community.” Tweet This Bonni Eastlack spent...
How the WMDL Institute Affects You: 4 Things You Need to Know
Great churches require great clergy; great clergy require excellent education.
Psalm 104 Made to Flourish Success Stories
Psalm 104 – Work is Community The Kern Family Foundation invests in the rising generation of Americans, equipping them to become tomorrow’s leaders and innovators. It is a sponsor of Made to Flourish: A Pastors’ Network for the Common Good. Made to...
National Study of Wesleyan Clergy and Spouses
As we all know by now, studies show that being a pastor (of any sort) is one of the most gratifying, fulfilling vocations around AND AT THE SAME TIME one of the most challenging and stressful. What we don’t know is just how pastors in The Wesleyan Church fit into that...
ECD Hosts Three Summer Interns
IWU public relations, writing, and business major intern at the Division of Education and Clergy Development Rev. Russ Gunsalus and The Division of Education and Clergy Development partnered with Indiana Wesleyan University to bring three interns to gain real-world...
Meeting Christ in a Coffee Shop: FLAME student Willie Vaughan brings the good news to his neighborhood cafe.
“Sussex is in need of hearing the gospel in a way that is accessible and tangible, and that’s what I hope to do.” Willie Vaughan has an out-of-the-box vision for his community church: In place of pews, coffee tables and in place of a tie, a barista...
Thrive in Five – Spiritual – Bodily Spirituality: Five Reasons to Care
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. Apostle Paul, 1 Cor. 6:19-20 Bodily Spirituality: Five Reasons to...
Thrive in 5 – Emotional – Cultivating an Emotional Core
As a pastor, you know how important your emotional vitality is to ministry. Pastoral ministry requires the ability to withstand the emotional stresses of life and be “present” and empathetic to others. Emotional vitality also includes resilience, the...
Thrive in 5 – Financial – Personal Finances
Few areas in our lives are as sensitive as personal finances. Finances are often a great source of stress for clergy. Yet no matter how much or how little we earn, we are responsible to be good stewards of what the Lord provides. Stewardship includes taking healthy...
Thrive in 5 – Physical – Caring for your Body
Jesus said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak,” implying that our physical bodies and energy levels do have an impact—for better or worse—on our spiritual lives and ability to be there for others. If we do not maintain good physical health...
Thrive in 5 – Intellectual – Lifelong Learning
Here are five suggestions that can help you stay ahead of the curve and position yourself for longevity in ministry.
Thrive in 5 – Spiritual – Protecting the Spiritual Life of the Pastor
Sustaining Pastoral Excellence The most fundamental level of self-care is the pastor’s personal relationship with God in Christ through the Spirit. Everything in the pastor’s life flows from and is dependent upon the spiritual condition of the heart:...
Thrive in 5 – Relational – Empathizing with others
Reflecting God’s own triune nature, we are created to live in loving community with others. As pastors who love, it is essential that we empathize with others: to feel what others feel. People must sense that we understand them. People will know that we truly...
Thrive in 5 – Relational – Cultivating Friendships
Reflecting God’s own triune nature, we are created to live in loving community with others as well as with God. Too much isolation can lead to loneliness, depression, and sense of abandonment. Our perceptions can become distorted. A healthy pastor will seek to...
Thrive in 5 – Physical – 5 Activities & Resources to get your blood pumping
Jesus said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak,” implying that our physical bodies and energy levels do have an impact—for better or worse—on our spiritual lives and ability to be there for others. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your...
Thrive in 5 – Financial – Personal Insurance Needs
Stewardship includes taking healthy care of ourselves so we can be there for others. It also involves thinking ahead to care for those we love in the event of a tragedy. Some believe that purchasing life insurance indicates a lack of faith in God’s provision....