Thursday, January 27, 2011

Job Search, Meet Bible

As I've been working on all of this job search nuttiness, I've been finding that I keep coming back to Philippians to talk about my ideal work environment. I keep catching myself writing stuff like "I would like to work in an environment in which we all go about 'of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind' " (Philippians 2:2). I want co-workers who aren't just co-workers, but someone who is "my brother and co-worker and fellow-soldier, your messenger and minister to my need" (Phil. 2:25). I want to work someplace where we all rejoice, just as Paul does in prison.

Now, luckily, I am looking for church jobs, so I can sort of get away with it. And there are worse places to look for models for Christian fellowship and fellow-work than Philippians, so it's not really bad news. Just intriguing.

Where do y'all like to quote in your resumes?

Monday, January 24, 2011

Planning

I've been planning services an awful lot lately. I volunteered to do monthly Taize services at Smirk Church for the year - I also have monthly preludes for Sunday worship there. I'm preaching there next month. And I find that every worship experience I encounter, I analyze and pick it apart - the benefits of taking a series of worship classes.

So when I had a skull session with the Seminary chaplain and music director this afternoon, it was surprising to me that I still had a little bit of a thrill making all the pieces fit - the anthem, the psalm, the hymns...the whole array just sort of collapsed into place.

That gratitude post - the key theme of the service - will wait for another day, but suffice it to say, as I struggle to revive this blog...it's always a blessing to recall that I was called to this crazy job.