(Written as the editor’s letter for the May 2020 GOL E-News. Read the whole newsletter here.) Whoever said that change is the only constant must have had a crystal ball showing them the year 2020. During a recent GOL Board Meeting we reviewed minutes from a prior meeting and we […]
As the snow began to lightly fall at the Bosque Center, this Houstonian felt like a kid at Christmas. It had been a long time since I had seen snowfall. I headed outside for a walk and was soon joined by a colleague that I had just met but who […]
The Bosque Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico was the venue for the first GOL gathering for the new decade. The Bosque Center was designed to be a place for “Spiritual Renewal.” On many levels this was the ideal place for the Gathering of Leaders as we gathered intentionally focused on […]
Lots of the extraneous stuff about my first Gathering of Leaders in Albuquerque was excellent: the food, the beautiful snowfall over the Rio Grande, the retreat house. But the real blessing was the opportunity to meet with and learn from other clergy from around the church — and not just […]
Unity and division are the often—but not always—unspoken subtext of life in the city of Pittsburgh. Even setting ecclesial division of the last decade aside, Western Pennsylvania is a study in unity finding a place in the midst of division. Layer sits upon layer. Neighborhoods rooted historically in language and […]
My first experience of a Gathering of Leaders was an opportunity to go more deeply into the theme of Unity and Division through theological reflection, bible study, practical application, small group work, worship and networking. It was a rich exchange of perspectives, stories, experience and prayer. The setting at Lake […]
When I signed up for my first Gathering of Leaders event some months ago, I thought: the mountains of North Carolina in the Fall, what’s not to love? Indeed, the waters of Lake Logan were pristine and surrounding mountains were covered with trees decked out in glittering fall foliage. It […]
“Sometimes preaching the Gospel will bring division, but if it happens because we are faithful to the Gospel, it is not a failure.” I’ve been reflecting on these words from Bishop Brown Snook’s closing remarks at the GOL in Colorado last week. The gathering’s theme of “Unity and Division in […]
I admittedly knew very little about what to expect arriving at the Gathering of Leaders. I arrived late at night, after a full morning of preaching and presiding, and attempted to set aside the work of my congregation to be present for the conference. What I found was the breathtaking […]
My attendance at the Gathering of Leaders (GOL) is nothing short of a profoundly transformative experience! Not only is GOL a period of personal, spiritual, and leadership development defined by renewal, reflection, and refreshment, but is also an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. It is […]