It’s Tuesday. That means its time for the weekly sampling of some of the things I have read and found interesting in the past week. This week’s topic categories are: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboration; Leadership Thought & Practice; Neighbor Love; Stewardship; Vocation; Worship; and Miscellaneous. I entrust these to you now and hope that you find them thought provoking and helpful.
Church and Ministry Thought & Practice
Here is a good pause for leaders in congregations courtesy of the Naked Pastor.
Friend Dr. Terri Elton reflects on how to foster faith in a digital age. She asks some great questions and invites your input. What are your thoughts about what it means to foster faith with the continued growth and expansion of the digital world?
Terri makes the links twice this week. She also offered this reflection on what it means to be immersed in change. This applies not just to congregations and ministry, but is certainly relevant as I believe all congregations are always in the midst of change and transformation (its part of the life of faith).
Cross-Sector Collaboration
Sandi Krakowski offers a reflection of “why faith belongs in your workplace” which appeared in Entrepreneur. Yes, I think this is a good example of cross-sector collaboration- where life, faith, leadership and business meet (among many other things). What do you think about this?
Leadership Thought & Practice
Lolly Daskal offers leadership questions that make a difference. To offer a sample, two questions she poses (among many) are: “What am I grateful for?” and “How can I add value to others?” They are all great questions which I entrust to you.
In the spirit of great questions, here are some reflections about vision in the midst of disruption. Whitney Johnson writes, “Where There’s a Why, There’s a Way.”
Jon at the Thin Difference provides some background and introduction to a series that is beginning about Millennial leaders, which they have entitled, “Millennial Momentum: A Leader’s Story.” I look forward to seeing what comes in this series.
Here’s a good pause, definition, and reflection on vision and how it may (or may not) be being applied.
Perhaps times are changing? It used to be common that one of the factors in people leaving their jobs was because of their bosses, managers, or their relationship with them. This seems to suggest that that might no longer be the case.
Here are some secrets about networking kids know and could teach you. They include: no agenda; be open to new relationships; play; share; follow-up; and bounce back. What do you think of the list? What secrets do you have for networking?
Neighbor Love
Take a look at this resource from the New York Times that maps poverty in America. It’s pretty telling if you ask me, and its an important resource for being able to meet our neighbors where they are at and for doing something to make life better for them.
Here are some updates on global income inequality that you will probably find sobering.
Here is a short and good reminder about how God meets us from Women of the ELCA.
Mark Zuberberg is now arguing that connectivity is a basic human right. What do you think? Admittedly there are other basic needs which need to be met first (food, water, shelter, etc.) But, on the whole I tend to agree with Zuckerberg, especially as more of the resources and means of functioning in our world are dependent on being able to be connected. Without being able to connect one is falling behind in education, among countless other things which then creates a perpetuating spiral and chasm between the “have’s and have not’s.”
Stewardship
In the spirit of the New Year, friend Grace Duddy offers twelve frugal new years resolutions. Give them a read, and see if you want to join in, in making some of these resolutions for this year.
Vocation
We all have many vocations. One of these vocations that many of us are blessed to have, is that of partner or spouse. To this end, and to help start the new year, here is a challenge from Sarah Bessey for spouses everywhere to think about- to read things their spouse is interested in and would like their partner to read. Perhaps taking part in this, will help grow a deeper appreciation and/or understanding of each other? Perhaps its just a way for me to have my wife read some Drucker and for her to get me to read the Hunger Games? What do you think?
Here are some thoughts from Margaret Heffernan about how one’s sleep and when one wakes up might indicate if one is engaged in their job, life, and vocations.
Worship
To help ring in the new year, Paul Brandeis Raushenbush asked, “What will you worship in 2014?” So, as he asked, what will you worship this year (if anything)?
Within Christian worship, there have been age old challenges and problems regarding music- its presentation, selection, inclusion, etc. Here are some thoughts from Carey Nieuwhof. What do you think?
Miscellaneous
Every once and a while I have to share something sports related. So, here is this week’s miscellaneous sports reflection on “How to make Seattle a sports empire.” It makes for a great read if you are a sports fan.
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That will do it for this week’s links. If you have particular stories or articles you would like to have me include in the weekly links, let me know. Also, if there are potential topics you would like me to consider on this blog, please let me know that too. Blessings on your week! -TS
Image Credits: 1) The Links; and 2) Question mark.
Timothy Siburg 
