by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Nov 12, 2019
At Shepherd of the Hills Church, it’s been a long time since the cries of children interrupted worship. That’s okay with this aging congregation. Although they miss younger people, they appreciate less commotion. If only they could get some responsible families,...
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Sep 7, 2019
A flurry of well wishes were unleashed across the United States in the wake of the Dayton and El Paso shootings ten days ago. These well-meaning expressions of sympathy were tweeted, emailed, texted, written, preached, and whispered: You are in our thoughts and...
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Apr 11, 2019
My colleague, Martha Taylor, recently reported a conversation with a parishioner in which said parishioner gushed, “Oh, I just love my church to death!” Martha noted that she had a tight grip on the reins and leadership of the church and thought, “Yes, sadly, you...
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Feb 7, 2017
In grade school, I was part of a brief study on the meaning of love. My third grade class was interviewed, a few at a time, on the meaning of love. I thought I knew what it was until I tried to articulate an answer. “It’s when you like someone very much.” Even as...
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Jan 23, 2017
It’s on everyone’s minds. It’s all over the news. Millions of women took to the streets to make their voices heard. Should churches join in the political talk or not? I say yes. The Bible is intensely political. Every prophet risks their skin by talking truth to...
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Jun 7, 2016
“We’re always on to the next thing,” one pastor friend confided to me. “At least that’s how the people in my Annual Conference see it. We’re ever on to the latest, greatest solution for church growth.” “Do you ever pause and celebrate what you have accomplished?” I...
