“Sheep have teeth, and they use them.” Dr. Craig Barnes, former professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, once told me this as I was sitting at a table at Pittsburgh Seminary bemoaning a parishioner’s behavior in an administrative meeting. Throughout my time as a pastor I have heard story after story of persons who have left…
Category: Ministry
Why Constitution Day Matters for Christians
In the United States, Sept. 17 is designated as Constitution Day. The holiday commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on Sept. 17, 1787. The Constitutional Convention, made up of delegates from 12 states, met beginning in May 1787 to draft the document. Why Should Christians Care? The original draft of the Constitution…
The Mysterious and the Manageable
In the May 2023 meeting of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Board of Directors, outgoing Board Member the Rev. Dr. Donald K. McKim ’74 gave these remarks, titled “The Mysterious and the Manageable.” Addressed to the Board of Directors, McKim’s words will resonate with all religious and nonprofit leaders. Dr. Ernest T. Campbell was minister of…