What Would Michael Scott Do?

I’ve turned a corner writing for LE@DD from asking questions to presenting some of my own thoughts. In this first post, I explore the different leadership styles of Donald Trump as seen on Celebrity Apprentice and Michael Scott (Steve Carrel) of The Office. Check it out. Feel free to challenge! It's the Socratic Club way.

P.S. Go Duke! I had the chance to be there last night and it was an incredible game. My stomach was in knots all night long!

Ehrman and Colbert

Looks like we asked the wrong person to debate Ehrman when he came to Duke. Instead of Hays, we should have asked Colbert!

God, Family, Church

I've been contemplating what it means to be a pastor as I begin soon my new appointment at Sycamore Creek Church. I've been asking pastors what their top three nuggets of wisdom are about being a pastor. I often get something to the effect of putting one's family above the church. So the received wisdom of the day is that the priorities of a pastor should be God first, family second, and the church third. But I've been wondering how our baptism changes this prioritization. Is the church our new family? Does the church come before family? If so, what is the difference between the church and the family? Is there anything unique about the covenant between spouses? How does that covenant interact with the sacrament of baptism? Do Catholics have something over Protestants here by also calling marriage a sacrament?

Confessio - New Web Magazine for Duke Div.

One of our own, Elyse Gustafson, has helped start a new online student journal for Duke Divinity Students. Check it out!

http://confessio.org/

New Socratic Club at Southeastern

So some students at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary have begun their own Socratic Club. Their first big event on April 20th includes Dr. Chapman and Dr. Portier-Young in conversation with two profs from SEBTS. You can find out more here: www.southeasternsocratic.com. This made my day!

Chris Tomlin Song substituted for the Sanctus

So on the worship-review website, I make the suggestion of substituting Chris Tomlin's song, Sing, Sing, Sing for the Sanctus in the Great Thanksgiving. I'd love some conversation on that blog. Shoot me down or give me an amen. And while you're at it, check out some of the other recent reviews by me and others.

Faith & Leadership Website

As Wilson reminded me, the launch of LE@DD's website (Leadership Education @ Duke Divinity) is now fully up and running. Here's the link: http://faithandleadership.com/. Check it out and join in the conversation below.
Peace,
Tom