United Methodist people long to love God and serve their neighbors. Unrelenting Grace by Bishop Ken Carter shows us how to come together and embrace grace, seek holiness, and build meaningful connections promoting strength and healing. Unrelenting Grace evokes insights and courage to overcome feelings of isolation, loneliness, and alienation. Amazon book description Unrelenting Grace was a good book.Continue reading “Book Review: Unrelenting Grace”
Category Archives: Ministry
Cleaning Up
When the breaking was done, I grabbed a broom as others started picking up the bigger pieces. As I swept, a whole host of emotions unexpectedly rose within me. The cleaning up part seems harder, takes longer, has more potential for getting unexpectedly hurt.
Perspective
Time in the woods is always healing for me. I took a familiar path down the trail, off the trail, and by the stream. This time I saw something new.
Book Review: The Wounded Healer
The Wounded Healer reminds me that my painful experiences in life do not have to be hidden.
Present Over Perfect Continues
This year, I’m using the Present Over Perfect Guided Journal. I read Shauna Neiquist’s Present Over Perfect book when it came out a few years ago and so much of it just connected with me. When I saw she had created a journal, I knew it was right for this season of my life. The journal has smallContinue reading “Present Over Perfect Continues”
The Invitation in Front of Me
This year, I’m using the Present Over Perfect Guided Journal. I read Shauna Neiquist’s Present Over Perfect book when it came out a few years ago and so much of it just connected with me. When I saw she had created a journal, I knew it was right for this season of my life. The journal has smallContinue reading “The Invitation in Front of Me”
Hidden Structures
I have written before about my retreats at The Quiet Place NC, Inc. It is my time to rest, connect with God, read, dream, plan, and write. My retreats are a time for me to step out of the daily tasks of life and focus in a more intentional way. Each time I come onContinue reading “Hidden Structures”
Annual Conference and My Calling
And then the Holy Spirit did what the Holy Spirit does so well – convicted me of my sin.
Book Review: Online Ministry Books
Over the last year, I’ve read 2 books that have helped me better understand the “why” and “how” of online presence and digital ministry. For churches, parachurch ministries, and ministry professionals, the question is not “do we go online” and is instead “how can we make our digital ministry more meaningful?” The Connected Church and From Social Media to Social Ministry are both books that walk the reader through that exact question.
What Do I Even Say
Last night I sat in the auditorium of my youngest son’s school. He completed fifth grade, the last of my children to walk the halls of that school. It was the end of an era. I cried, remember all the great things about our 11 years at that school. Six of my kids went thereContinue reading “What Do I Even Say”
Rev. Kris Mares 