Clergy Commentary
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
The Post-Pandemic Church Is About Fit, Not Size
One of the common things that I hear when talking to new members at my congregation is that it “felt like coming home.” There was an ephemeral quality that spoke to them that made them feel that this is the place where they want to build a community.
Monday, June 16, 2025
Liturgy in the Living Room: New Study Shows Online Church Isn’t Killing In-Person Attendance
Faith leaders have struggled to understand their online attendees since the pandemic began. Delivering online worship requires significant resources and constant improvement, leading to frustration about knowing so little about viewers on platforms such as YouTube, Faceboo, and Vimeo.
Thursday, February 27, 2025
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Online Worshippers
When the pandemic began, the church I was serving in Austin was not equipped for livestreaming worship services. Indeed, that first Sunday during which we cancelled in-person worship (March 15, 2020), our senior pastor — who was supposed to preach — also called in sick! I quickly put a sermon t
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Parish Finds Strength, Growth Through Pandemic Innovation
On March 12, 2020, I made one of the most peculiar decisions of my priesthood – I canceled the conferral of the Sacrament of Confirmation on 123 eager teenagers. All the usual preparations were in place for our annual massive and very joyful community celebration.
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Saved by Sandwiches? How One New Jersey Church Successfully Emerged from the Pandemic
A reflective article exploring how a United Methodist church in New Jersey emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic with renewed strength and purpose, driven by a new food ministry that connected the congregation to its community in meaningful ways.
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
The Missing Link in Pastoral Wellbeing: Rethinking Spiritual Health
Clergy Commentary by Pastor Steve Clark Pastor Steve Clark I thought I did everything right to avoid burnout in ministry. I had a clergy peer group. I had an accountability partner. I took a weekly Sabbath and all my vacation time. Sure, an unprecedented global pandemic happened nine months i
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Navigating Technology in Ministry: A Pastor’s Reflection on Post-Pandemic Church
Explore a pastor's insights on balancing technology and traditional ministry in the post-pandemic church. Learn how congregations can stay vibrant while navigating digital tools and maintaining authentic connections.
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
How a Clergy Support Group Provided Resilience During Challenging Times
A minister reflects on the vital importance of her clergy support group during challenging times like COVID-19, social unrest, and climate change, providing community, shared wisdom, and hope to combat the loneliness many pastors feel.
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Burned out, exhausted, leaving: A new survey finds clergy are not OK
(RNS) — In January, the Hartford Institute for Religion Research released a foundational report about the health of America’s churches and the leaders that serve them in the post-COVID-19 moment. The survey’s title, “I’m Exhausted All the Time,” will resonate with anyone who, like me, is