PASTOR'S COLUMN
Discipleship Lessons Across Communities
Pastor Dave Mergens shares what rural and suburban pastors can learn from each other when building discipling relationships.
Sankofa Reflection 2022: The Journey to Reconciliation
Dan Crain shares his experience on Transform Minnesota's 2022 Sankofa Journey to Harmony.
Sankofa Reflection 2022: Weeping for My Ancestors
Sankofa participant's reflection on her time on the 2022 Sankofa Journey to Harmony.
Sankofa Reflection 2022: Aware of the Past to Transform the Future
Samantha Willis shares her experience on Transform Minnesota's Sankofa Journey to Harmony.
Lament for Justice
Pastor Matthew R. St. John, Senior Pastor at New Hope Church, shares his prayer of lament that he shared at a live prayer event after the Derek Chauvin verdict.
Damascus Way: Innovation and Expansion
Executive Director of Damascus Way, Tierre Webster, shares an update on their new location in Golden Valley and practical ways for the Church to support this new residence.
Worldview and Political Polarization
Kyongmin Song teaches classes on Christianity, culture, and politics with an emphasis on reconciliation; he shared some of his thoughts with Transform Minnesota.
Pastor's Column: 'Tuko Pamoja': We are Together
Emily Hamilton shares her heart for global mission engagement and relationships.
Pastor's Column: Follow Up to Sankofa
"My largest takeaway from the trip was hope—hope that I would be able to apply what we had seen and make a difference in our community."
Pastor's Column: How Would Jesus Say Hello
Trent Palmberg shares his heart for seeing and loving his neighbors the way Jesus would.
Pastor’s Column: Blessing the ‘Rest’ of Your Life
"Ministry is demanding. Serving the Lord and others can be like a roller coaster with its ups and downs. Therefore, prioritizing personal time weekly and extended time seasonally to unplug from the demands for some personal soul care is not only important, but a necessity," writes Bill Goodwin.
Pastor's Column: Who Benefits from a Pastoral Sabbatical?
In the overall life and ministry of a church, the gift of a pastoral sabbatical is a relatively small thing, and yet the benefits it reaps are abundant and lasting. Rev. Christian Ruch writes about who all benefits from a pastoral sabbatical.
Pastor's Column: Sabbath Reminds us that God is God (and we are not)
"Sabbath is the only one of the Ten Commandments that we brush off as not really that important. But it’s the longest and most descriptive commandment, the hinge words between how we relate to God and how we relate to each other. It’s not a throw-away comment. One day in seven, God says, you stop all work, because you are not to be defined by your output. You are all simply and completely human beings, alongside one another, all beloved children of God," writes Rev. Kara Root, Lead Pastor at Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis.
Pastor’s Column: Holistic Care of the Soul
"Pastors, we need to recognize the importance of soul care in our own lives. If our souls are depleted and dry, chaotic and overwhelmed, this internal state will undoubtedly spill out upon all we encounter," writes Dr. Christine Osgood. In order for the soul to be well, Dr. Osgood suggests we need to care for and invest in six interrelated dimensions: your body (physical), your thoughts (cognitive), your feelings (emotional), the people (relational) you consistently engage, your calling, mission or purpose (meaning), and your spirit (spiritual).
Pastor’s Column: Retreating to Ponder Creation
Mark Rieland writes about one of the best ways he believes Christian faith leaders can rest and pursue refreshment in their lives and ministries.
Sankofa Reflection 2019: From Eeriness to Empowerment
“Several of the stops on our journey brought about an eerie, spiritual connection to my ancestors which was initially unsettling. As we continued, this sensation shifted from eeriness to empowerment as it gave me confidence that the strength of my people who endured these hardships still has the power to be a catalyst for true reflection,” wrote Elder Kyle Jeter, while reflecting on his 2019 Sankofa Journey.
Sankofa Reflection 2019: The Truth About Acting Countercultural
“To assume I would have done differently is the height of arrogance or ignorance. The fact is that most of us are simply products of our culture and society, not independent actors. Most people simply will not act counter to our cultural environment. People do not think alone,” wrote Pastor Kory Kleinsasser, while reflecting on his 2019 Sankofa Journey.
Sankofa Reflection 2019: Finding Myself In Birmingham
"I was eager to find my place in history. Would I have had the bravery to march with Dr. King? Could I have been counted among those who sat bravely at Woolworth’s to protest the immorality of segregation?... (Later) I found myself in Birmingham, standing on the wrong side of love–and history," writes Pastor Mike Tong, while reflecting on his 2019 Sankofa Journey.
Sankofa Reflection 2019: The True Tragedy of the Ku Klux Klan
"I have always known that Klansmen were terrorists. I could easily identify their distinctive dress (white robes) and their symbol of terror (the cross). But sometimes the things you know fail to really hit home. It was not until I was face to face with those symbols at a museum in Birmingham, AL that I saw the true tragedy and tasted the true terror," writes Pastor Jason Meyer, while reflecting on his 2019 Sankofa Journey.
Pastor's Column: What Pastors Need to be Talking about Right Now
Sondra Samuels writes about how she believes pastors need to be sharing a more relevant message about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection that will resonate with teenagers. As teenagers in her life and work increasingly deal with anxiety and isolation, her hope is that pastors will teach how Jesus' life and message of love, power and hope can address all that is going on in their lives. Samuels is the President and CEO of the Northside Achievement Zone, working to end the achievement gap in North Minneapolis.