3 Minute Ministry Mentor

This week’s episode of 3MMM is about vocational discernment. Hearing stories from many people in many stages and seasons of life and how they discern the purpose, their calling, their work and their families, can be a great encouragement. It can also be incredibly clarifying.

You can learn more about vocational discernment on the website or by listening to this week's episode. #3MMM

This week’s episode of Three Minute Ministry Mentor shares with you a story told to us by Marcus, a white pastor who is part of the Learning Pastoral Imagination Project. Several years ago, Marcus spent a summer leading his congregation to think more deeply about leadership. For his own spiritual well-being he gave more attention to the practice of Sabbath that summer. Here is his story. #3MMM.

“What is liberty without liberation?”

How can we know genuine freedom in Christ, when injustice and bondage continue to constrain our wellbeing and divide us from each other? What does ministry look like when we face the injustices and seek God’s transformation of ourselves and our communities?

In today’s 3MMM episode, James, a participant in the Learning Pastoral Imagination study, tells us about growing up in an openly, racially divided city and school. He was among the first African-American youth to integrate both schools and several sports teams. The pain and anger from those experiences were real and lasting.

Episode 22 of #3MMM.

Easter season, or Eastertide lasts for six more Sundays. The season of Pentecost begins on June 9, and it continues for close to six months. We also celebrate a little Easter every Sunday of the year. And being a follower of Jesus invites us to practice resurrection on every day of our lives.

This week’s Three Minute Ministry Mentor episode is about practicing resurrection.

#3MMM

Place matters.

In so many ways it matters.

Where you observe Holy Week. Where you go home at night. Where you were raised. Where you work and live and play. Each of these places matter, and they give shape to who you are.

This week’s episode of Three Minute Ministry Mentor is about place and identity. The day we made this episode was cold and windy and miserable. Hints of spring, yet winter was still having its way. The place was outside in that weather and it shows on my face and body.

Learn more about the how Identity and Place impact your ministry by listening to episode 20 and reading on the blog. #3MMM.

What do brick walls, American Idol and ministry have to do with each other? Read on . . .

Lately, I’ve been watching American Idol. Now, in truth since my daughter was born, I nearly gave up television altogether. The TV in our living room (only the second one we’ve owned in all our married lives), goes months and months without coming on. The World Series, the Grammy’s, the Emmy’s. A game or two of college ball. That’s pretty much it.

But then we found out Walker Burroughs was auditioning for Idol. We could not resist. I’ve known his parents, David and Colleen Burroughs since before they were married. I’ve worked with Passport Camps in many roles since they began the camp in the mid-1990s. I remember so well when Walker, and his twin sister Milligan, were born. Through social media and fewer visits in person I’ve seen Walker grow up and heard him sing. Always fun!

And now he’s made it into the top 20. Of American Idol. Katy Perry thinks he’s dope. Luke Bryan says “so professional” and Lionel Richie (my first stadium concert) thinks Walker is awesome! Sunday night he was in the duets round, singing with Jason Mraz. The whole moderate and progressive (mostly white) Baptist world is abuzz with Walker’s success, hoping to cheer him on and vote him to success.

Tonight I stood up and cheered when he made it through to the next round of 14 singers. And next week we get to vote!

Read more brick wall stories at: Episode 19: Brick Walls #3MMM.