Barnabas File

In the wake of the resignation of the pastor of a megachurch in our area, the local paper published an article citing the findings of a survey related to pastoral attrition: “LifeWay Research also found that 40 percent left pastoral work before age 65 because they had a change in calling, 25 percent cited a conflict in a church, 12 percent left because of personal finances and 12 percent left for family issues. The online survey conducted in 2015 asked questions of 734 former senior pastors who left in four Protestant denominations, and respondents could choose more than one reason.” In reviewing these results, most of us realize that if a person is continually dealing with conflict, financial concerns, or family issues, he or she will probably consider “a change in calling” for personal well-being and relational health!  We expect too much of our senior leaders and often fail to provide the support they need in ...

This is a challenging time for theological education.   Alumni and friends sometimes express concern about what is happening with “their” seminary and theological education in general.   Professor David Kelsey of Yale Divinity School was recently interviewed about how theological education is dealing with the changes in society.   In response to a question about “the defining goal of theological education today,” he responded: “[T]heological education ought to be aimed at developing people with a range of special capacities for theological wisdom. [Ed Farley] calls it “theologia” – we should be educating people who have a take on the world that is shaped by an understanding of God. . .. The schools need to focus on helping students to focus on developing a personal core of abilities that enables them to size up the world as they come to know God more truly. . ..  [C]lerical skills should also be a by-product of theological education instead of ...

When the National Anthem is played, I stand, place my hand over my heart, and listen respectfully.  Some athletes have chosen not to do this as a protest against certain conditions in our country—the treatment of African-Americans or LGBTQ people, for example. Some individuals have charged that this type of action shows disrespect for those who serve in the military. They are wrong.  When the Anthem is played and the flag displayed, we are expressing our allegiance to our country, not any particular part of it.  This is not directed toward any group—the military, police, educators, etc.  An important value of our country is the right to dissent in an orderly and respectful way.   I join other veterans in arguing that this is the reason we served—to guarantee that right. This is a very personal matter for me. I served in the United States Army during the war in Vietnam.  During that conflict, many protested America’s invo...