One of the complaints made against priests is that their homilies are largely a waste of time. Personally, I think that a good portion of the blame for this lays with the hearer (e.g. lack of preparation, inability to focus, unrealistic expectations), but there is LOT of room for improvement on the … [Read more...]
On Starting at a New Parish (AFR Podcast and Notes)
The Podcast is here. Review: Ten (Eleven!) Commandments for Pastors New to a Congregation In a previous post and podcast, I reviewed Rev. Lawrence W. Farris’ book Ten Commandments for Pastors Leaving a Congregation. It was full of good advice to help set your successor and the parish you … [Read more...]
Survey Results: Observations and Advice for New Priests
We are coming up on graduation day for our seminaries, so I fielded a survey to gather the collective wisdom of priests to share with our new graduates and ordinands. These sets of “five things” are offered with thanks to the priests who answered the survey and prayers for all our clergy. It's a … [Read more...]
Evangelizing Men without Chests – can it be done?
Professor Anthony Esolen has a real gift for juxtaposing the depravities and weaknesses of modern culture with the strength of traditional Christianity. While his critiques are strong, one of the things I appreciate about him is that he is criticizing western civilization from the inside. As such, … [Read more...]
People Want Loving, Active, Joyful, and Evangelical Leadership
A couple of months ago, Pew Research announced a finding that surprised me: 49% of Americans want preachers to speak about "political issues." This was roughly the same percentage that do NOT want them to do so. I have not looked closely at the data, but I am willing to bet that people who go to … [Read more...]
Don’t preach “the devil’s homily”!
In every parish (even the dream ones), there are going to be people whom it is hard to love. Like flies that get into the car when you take your garbage to the dump, their words and actions will continue annoying you long after you've left their physical presence. Sometimes it can get so bad that … [Read more...]
On the Priesthood, Book 4 – On the Danger of Unworthy Ordination (St. John Chrysostom)
Treatise on the Priesthood.Saint John Chrysostom(source: www.ccel.org/fathers) Book IV. On the Dangers of Unworthy Ordination Basil heard this, and after a little pause thus replied: If you were ambitious of obtaining this office on your own, then your fear would have been reasonable; for in … [Read more...]
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