Thriving Clergy
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....
Thrive in 5 – Emotional – Establishing Healthy Boundaries
As a pastor, you know how important your emotional vitality is to ministry. The pastoral vocation is unique in nature compared to all other helping professions. Ministry is not a 9-5 job; insisting on “normal hours” will lead only to frustration for you...
Wesleyan chaplain receives award from National Bible Association
Thirty-one Wesleyan military chaplains serve currently on active or reserve duty in every branch of the armed forces. One of those chaplains, Captain Mark Hunsinger, received an award for distinguished ministry. Captain Hunsinger serves with the Air Force 1st Special...
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 – Cultivating Friendships
Here are 5 suggestions for cultivating friendships adapted from The Friendship Factor by Alan McGinnis.
More Than Head Knowledge: 3 Things Every Wesleyan Should Know about Higher Education
It’s that time of year to take accounts, assess progress and cast vision for the future. At ECD we asked, “What is the state of Wesleyan Higher Education?” ECD Executive Director Russ Gunsalus shared with us three things every Wesleyan should know...
I would have never imagined I would be a pastor today
“I would have never imagined I would be a pastor today.” Pastor Marcelle Hamel never considered she would be called to the ministry. In fact, for a majority of her life she was just trying to survive. Losing her mom at a young age and her father absent;...
Missions with a Twist— Kingswood University’s Ecclesia Program
At Kingswood University, discipleship is not confined to the college “bubble.” Every summer, Kingswood student leaders give back what they have received during the school year, discipling high schoolers to serve and share the good news of Jesus Christ at...
A Fight Against Modern Day Slavery: OKWU Orange Movement
The goal of Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Orange Movement is to end modern day slavery manifested in the form of human trafficking. Directed by OKWU’s First Lady Marci Piper and Assistant Director Heather Utzman, the movement raises awareness about human...
Women in Ministry Spotlight: Lindsay Miller
Saying “yes” to God may take you places you couldn’t imagine. For Kingwood University student Lindsay Miller, the journey of obedience has led her to the streets of New York City, the villages of Haiti and, most recently, the refugee camps of Europe....
Breakaway 2016
“I soooooo needed this!” “Please do it every year.” These are just two of the many positive comments submitted by pastor’s spouses who attended Breakaway on April 15th-16th. Over 120 spouses traveled from as far away as North Carolina,...
Chaplain’s Corner- Belonging to something bigger than yourself
On 27 April, our nation will recognize Administrative Professionals Day. This day has come a long way since its inception during World War II, when there was an increased demand for skilled administrative personnel. Dictionary.com gives a few definitions for an...
Women in Ministry Spotlight: Amber Livermore
Embracing God’s Call from New Zealand to the United States “During my time in New Zealand, I came to embrace my own pastoral call on a deeper level in a cultural context that generally places a higher emphasis and value on ordained ministry.” -Rev....
Women in Ministry Spotlight: Julie Collins Penta
Much like hiking, church planting requires extensive preparation, the right tools, and an abiding sense of purpose. Fortunately, Julie Collins Penta is both church planter and mountain hiker. Much like hiking, church planting requires extensive preparation, the right...
Shocking News about Wesleyan Pastor Washout: Wesleyan Clergy Retention Study
Please forgive me for the sensational title but the news about Wesleyan pastoral retention is indeed shocking. If I asked you, “How many pastors washout of ministry in their first five years?”, what would you say, 30…40…50…even 60...