Carol Howard Merritt
What the retirement of Baby Boomers could mean for the church
If you look around at most denominational meetings, you will see that Baby Boom retirements will have a massive impact on our denominations. Boomers make the majority of those in the pews, in the pulpits, and in power. The first wave of Boomers is in the midst of retiring, so what can we expect? How will this affect us?
I can’t say for sure, but let me look into my crystal ball and tell you what I see.
Resurrection, recognition, and revelation
My father died about three years ago. As May comes around, the azaleas spring to life, and I remember my father's passing. Just as sure as the tulips and dogwood blossom, my mind wanders back to my dad. Even when I begin to open up to these strange and wonderful stories of Easter, struggling with the notions of recognition and revelation, I think about the last few months of my father's life.
Never Pray Again
In the early days of blogging, when it seemed like a mere handful of people were conversing on-line, I encountered Doug Hagler, Aric Clark, and Nick Larson (also known as Two Friars and a Fool)....
Guidelines for hosting a speaker
I used to roll my eyes at the conference speaker divas who had a whole list of demands, until I needed to develop a few of my own guidelines....
Ministry myths
In a recent interview, someone asked me, “What did you write in Tribal Church that you regret? Is there anything that you would change?” The question reminded me of the fact that we’re always predicting and observing things that may not prove to be true a few years later. Here are three myths that I often hear about ministry that I question.
Feeling less than alive
I was sitting in a seminary classroom, taking part in an internship program, and the professor was waxing eloquently about calling. It was all good. She was quoting Frederick Buechner and Howard Thurman, and describing vocation as our deepest joy and what makes us come alive.
TULIPs for the tolerant
So, the Internets are not friendly to Calvinists. And I get it. There are some in my Reformed tradition who would hardly want to acknowledge me as part of their theological tree.
...Meaning and mysterium tremendum
A member of the congregation I serve died this week. It was fitting. The shadows of death linger about us this week....
Keeping the church weird
“These old buildings are well made and historic,” my real estate agent friend interjected. “Surely we can think of new uses for them.”
A plea to Wiki
Like it or not, Wikipedia is here and it will probably stay. Everybody from third grade history students to graduate level scholars use them. Even when Wiki pages cannot be cited, we still use them. We are forming history on that site.
Creative outlets
Like most of us, I have creative energy. I forget the box in which I’m supposed to fit. I make missteps. I force change and watch the body reject my suggestions like a bad organ implant.
What should we understand about generosity in a new generation?
We know about all of the shifts in communication and technology, but there are also huge changes when it comes to giving money. Younger generations often think much differently when it comes to finances and budgeting, and we should think differently as a church as well.
Gratitude to Alban
I was at a clergy meeting this week and someone said, “Alban was right about family-sized churches...” and everyone in the room shook their heads. We didn’t need any explanation....
A niche of welcome
A. J. is blond and energetic and has autism. His parents instructed me how to take his lead, touch his forearms, and appreciate his motions.
Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch
The main characters personify different attitudes toward life. Each of them exhibits the unique charm of their perspective, allowing it to grow so that it becomes a part of us. We nod in understanding, if not consent, even as their defects of character become startling.
Politics in the pulpit? Case by case
Betsy had always worked across interfaith lines. She didn’t expect there would be any problems with her message in the congregation.
The Menlo Park Difference
It’s been a long time since Mr. Show with Bob and David has been on HBO, but there are a few sketches that come to mind even now. Especially when I read about the PC(USA) in the news. In particular, "The Fairsley Difference."
Money anxiety and the ministry
I grew up in the midst of the Prosperity Gospel movement, and it’s left its mark, I’m afraid. I believed that God would bless (meaning financially bless) those who served the Almighty. It wasn’t only service, but God’s favor also came with financial reward.
Boomer denominations
Some church planters refer to denominations as "widget factories." A big cultural commute exists between fledgling communities and church hierarchies.