Barnabas File

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  (Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV) I came across this passage the other day and, as sometimes happens, it caught my attention for some reason.  Perhaps it was because of the various challenges that come from the permacrisis in which we now live—religious disillusion, factionalism, economic stresses, violent conflicts—you get the idea. In digging a bit deeper, I found this translation by Eugene Peterson from The Message: So, watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! (Ephesians 5:15-16, The Message)   Struck by the harsh implications of the word “desperate,” I looked up the definition.  This is what I found: “ feeling, showing, or involving a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad as to be impossible to deal with. ”   But in spite of the hopeless nature of life’s circum...

“A crisis is a terrible thing to waste” --Paul Romer, economist, Stanford University Despite the pandemic and all of it unexpected consequences, this is a time of opportunity for the church.  Our weaknesses are clearer than ever, but our strengths have risen to the surface.  Changes that we knew were on the horizon are now right in front of us.  Choices that we thought we could put off for several years are now call for immediate action.  Every church is going to have to ask itself some tough questions to identify priorities, ministry realities, and action plans in the coming days.  When I work with individual coaching clients, I often find that they are having to make difficult choices.  They are motivated and capable people, but they have their limitations.  They can only do so much and sometimes the choices about how to use their time and talents are difficult to make. In these coaching situations, I sometimes suggest t...

Stanford economist Paul Romer is credited with the statement, “ A crisis is a terrible thing to waste. ”  I am not exactly sure what Dr. Romer had in mind, but the present health crisis and all of its implications certainly drive us to reflect, learn, and reorient ourselves.  Now is a good time to ask these questions: First, what’s really important?  During this time of pandemic, we have the opportunity to reassess what is really important in our lives.  Most of us would probably say that people and our relationships are primary.  We seek human connection whether in our families or beyond.  Even the most introverted persons among us desire the ability to communicate and respond to others.  We also realize that this is a time to attend to “the least of these” who are struggling to survive. Second, what’s not important?  This is a great time to consider the difference between our needs and our wants....

In churches across our nation, the time has come for crucial conversations about the future of each congregation.  As churches face the realities of changing communities, demographic shifts, unexpected ministry opportunities, and financial challenges, their continued effectiveness demands difficult conversations about mission, vision, and use of resources. Most pastors are not equipped to lead these discussions.  Even those who realize the need are often either untrained to do this or unwilling to do so. Our programs of theological education rarely train ministers to lead these crucial conversations.  Seminary training does several things well.  First, it tends to strengthen the spiritual foundation of the potential clergy person.  Second, it equips the minister to exegete the scriptures and deliver sermons competently; however, the topics of such sermons tend to address matters of personal development rather than community engagemen...

  “The squirrels are fighting in and about the oak tree whose roots extend to unseen places below me and whose branches extend toward the infinity of sky above me. Yes, the squirrels are raising a ruckus. But the Old Oak is unmoved but still growing, and I love Her Shade and the hope of Her Acorns.” My friend Brad Bull posted this on his Facebook page recently.  My response was to ask if this was a metaphor for some particular event.  He did not respond directly, so I will put my spin on it (with his permission to reproduce his comment). A lot of things have happened in our country over the past two months.     Some have grieved, some have rejoiced, some have forgiven, some have become angry.  Society and culture work that way.   We find our own ways to cope or make sense out of change, when things seem out of control.  None of us in complete control; if you think you are, I can recommen...