Insights from in and around the association
UBA Voices
Recognizing and Dealing With Stress in Ministry
What kinds of stressors do ministers face, and how can we manage those stressors well?
Why Our Hearts are Restless
Christian leader, do you feel restless? Casey writes a bit about the things we try to support our contentment and what actually holds.
Come All Ye Weary: Grace-Filled Parenting for Christmas
As a parent to two littles, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by—well, any number of things. Finding the perfect traditions to ensure everyone focuses on Christ this year can feel like another item on the to-do list, another way we’re failing to live up as parents, Christians, and ministers of the gospel. To make it better this year, our little family is trying to keep the focus on simple and small ways to weave Christmas traditions into our everyday lives.
Trusting God in Tough Times
A worldwide pandemic, job losses, and political, social, and civil unrest have left most of us reeling. This year’s chaos has been incomparable. However, digging deeper into Scripture has brought a peace that man cannot. I’m trusting God to use this turmoil for His glory, and I believe He will. If we allow Him to, He will use us to help bring a spiritual revival. I believe, however, it’s up to us to let go of the bitterness that has divided Christians on the political and social front.
How Do I Lament Biblically?
We all have those days where nothing goes right. Or maybe even a whole year, right?
We know we want and need to cry out to the Lord, but how do we still honor the Lord and cry out to Him in an honest and true way? Thankfully, the psalmists have given us the answer through biblical lament. As we journey through lament, we can embrace thanksgiving—even in the midst of hardship.
Considering Children as More Important Than Yourself
The question remains: How are we seeking to serve our children who have experienced their own trauma throughout this year?
Pastor, God's Got This
Anxiety is at an all-time high, and church leaders and pastors are not immune. If you were honest and expressed the fears going through your mind during COVID-19 and the economic shutdown, what would it sound like? How should leaders respond in the midst of this swirling internal storm of anxiety?
Bearing the Weight of "What if..."
I started outlining this piece about anxiety long before most of us had ever heard the term “coronavirus." Now, it seems to be an all-consuming topic of our news, conversations, and concerns. I’m not going to try to address the specific "what ifs" for the months ahead. Josh already discussed strategy here. Instead, I want to touch on how we can respond when these worst-case scenarios threaten to overwhelm us personally. I want to tell my own story of processing anxieties in the light of the gospel.