Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 21 March 2026 - a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media at the intersection of faith and culture with links to Paul Kingsnorth on St Patrick, Janette Ok on preaching, Winn Collier on prayer, and more!

Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 21 March 2026 - a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media at the intersection of faith and culture with links to Paul Kingsnorth on St Patrick, Janette Ok on prayer, Winn Collier on prayer, and more!

Currently reading: Action in waiting, by Karl Barth on Christoph Blumhardt 📚

Writing a letter to a parishioner who is incarcerated puts a different perspective on my day.

I was blown away by this review of The Pastor as Gardener by Byron Borger of Hearts and Minds Books. I felt like Byron not only read my book but read me.

It was such a joy to enter into meaningful conversation with Joel Lawrence and Zach Wagner about my book The Pastor as Gardener and what it means to think theologically as a pastor on the Center for Pastor Theologians podcast.

Just finished reading: Blessed Are the Others Jesus’ Way in a Violet World by Andrew DeCort. What a book!📚

Still reflecting on this verse I read in morning prayer today:

“Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.” (Psalm 41:1)

Last summer, I attended a pastors gathering and met a bunch of wonderful people. One of those people was Dave Ripper, host of the “Deeper Experiences with God” podcast. I had so much fun joining Dave’s podcast to talk about my book & spiritual formation: “Seeds, Seasons, & Soil.”

In the latest episode of “Field Notes for Pastors,” Dr. Vince Bacote highlights the crucial role of theology in pastoral work. Theology isn’t just for scholars; it’s essential for everyone in ministry. Listen to the latest episode: “Faithful Pastoring in a Polarized Age.”

It’s getting real! So excited to hold a copy of The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry in my hands!

Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 14 March 2026 - a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media at the intersection of faith and culture for you to explore through your weekend with features on John Perkins, Christian humanism, women in ministry, and more.

Today is a commemoration day for St. Gregory the Great, author of the renowned Pastoral Rule or Pastoral Care. I mention Gregory and others as good guides for pastors in: “We Need Good Guides: Finding a new way to pastor in confusing times.”

Friends, if you had to make a list of your top 5 movies of all time, what would they be?

If you want to say why, you’re welcome to add that, too.

I’m in CT Pastors writing about prayer in the three seasons of the sermon: planning, delivering, and relinquishing.

“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it” (Luke 19:41). Why did Jesus weep over the city? This is what I explored in a message this past weekend entitled “Tears of Mercy.”

I really enjoyed having a meaningful, thoughtful conversation with Josh Ritter, Canon for Formation in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, about my book The Pastor as Gardener on the diocesan podcast, “We Belong to Each Other.”

“His tears were like the rain, and Lazarus like a grain of wheat, and the tomb like the earth. He gave forth a cry like that of thunder, and death trembled at his voice. Lazarus burst forth like a grain of wheat. He came forth and adored his Lord who had raised him.” – St Ephrem the Syrian, “Commentary on Tatian’s Diatessaron,” 17.7

What does it mean to listen for God? In the latest episode of “Field Notes for Pastors,” I have the deep joy of welcoming Kelly Erickson, a spiritual director and my ministry and life partner, to help us explore spiritual direction and its vital role in sustaining the pastoral calling.

“His tears were like the rain, and Lazarus like a grain of wheat, and the tomb like the earth. He gave forth a cry like that of thunder, and death trembled at his voice. Lazarus burst forth like a grain of wheat. He came forth and adored his Lord who had raised him.” – Ephrem the Syrian, “Commentary on Tatian’s Diatessaron,” 17.7

Just finished reading: Behold the Beauty of the Lord by Henri J. M. Nouwen 📚

Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 7 March 2026 - a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media at the intersection of faith and culture for you to explore through your weekend.

I am working on messages for a preaching series called “The Tears of Jesus,” and I have to honestly say that my sermon prep is bringing me to tears again and again, week after week. I am pretty sure this is a good thing but not quite what I expected.

“To see Christ is to see God and all of humanity. This mystery has evoked in me a burning desire to see the face of Jesus.” - Henri Nouwen in Behold the Beauty of the Lord: Praying with Icons, page 45.

Just finished reading: The Philokalia Vol 5 by G.E.H. Palmer. It feels like a milestone to complete the entire series. So rich and meaningful and stretching. 📚