Valuing and Engaging the Whole Person

Valuing and Engaging the Whole Person

Before kids, I loved naps. In the years since my daughters were born, daytime rest has all but disappeared from my life. Because of that, I have fond memories of great naps from days gone by. Here’s one: when I was in college, a close friend and mentor cancelled...
Helping Others Belong

Helping Others Belong

In a recent post, I wrote about the role leaders take in encouraging community in their organizations. I appreciate all of you who added comments to the post with additional ideas for creating community. How important are leaders in buidling community? Wally Bock made...
Creating Community

Creating Community

My friend Helen is looking for community. One evening, she and I discussed the difference between having connected relationships with people and experiencing community. We agreed people want more than just a few close relationships; people are  hungry for true...
Leading in Relationships

Leading in Relationships

A few Sundays ago, while visiting family out of state, our family spent the day with my husband’s cousin Katie. She came after church and stayed until after our three daughters went to bed. The picture of her in our wedding album is a pre-teen grinning at the camera;...
A Story of an Uncommon Friendship

A Story of an Uncommon Friendship

I met Lisa when my husband and I moved here seven years ago. When we moved to Chicago, my husband left his job as a pastor, but we didn’t leave our faith behind. So before we even chose a place to live, we found a church. We joined our church in its formative...