The World's Okayest Pastor

Another mass shooting, this time in Las Vegas. A man shoots people attending an outdoor concert, over 200 wounded, over 50 dead. And I’m tired of praying about these events. Sounds odd coming from a pastor doesn’t it? But that’s where I am with all of the massive gun violence problem in America today. I am tired of having to pray for the victims, their families, and all of the responders and medical professionals who are effected with each of these shootings. I’m tired of having to pray with and offer support to individuals, for whom these events are triggers and others who are becoming more and more fearful of society. The reality is, I won’t stop praying about these situations and the laundry list of other issues and topics on my list. But what I really want to see and experience in America is some real movement to address these problems. I want to see America do things that are proven to help reduce gun violence. I want to see America make policies that increase access to suppor...

I want to begin this post by saying that I greatly respect both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, their programming, their structures, their leadership, and goals and values. Those things are not up for debate to me, because I and my family have benefited from both systems. I’m a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts with 25 years in the organization,  both as a girl and now as an adult volunteer in multiple capacities across two councils. My twin brother was a Cub Scout and then a Boy Scout, my father helped in all levels from den meetings all the way up to pack meetings and trips, and both of my parents helped lead Explorer Scouts, now Venture Scouts.  Even as girls, my sister and I both participated in several Ventur Scout activities.  I have seen many changes in both organizations over the last 25+ years and believe both programs have a lot to offer.  This past week, the board of Boy Scouts of America voted to allow girls to join their program at all age levels, not...

As a pastor, folks feel the need to share things with me, whether they are appropriate or not. A common phrase I've heard off and on during my ministry, and it has gained a grand reprise now that I am the last of my siblings to be single, is "pastor, when are you going to get married?" My most "favorite" incarnation of this came when the church board was asking about my insurance coverage and it was suggested that I should get married to a guy who has a good plan I could join. Creative...maybe. Had that thought crossed my mind? Yes but I also never said that out loud and never planned on that being a solution. So if folks really want to know when I'm going to get married here is the long answer: I will get marred when I find the right person to marry. The right person will be a man who can handle and respect the fact that I am fat and an ordained minister. The right person will be a man who can handle and respect the fact that I am not here to be a challe...