Accidents happen. Some are natural disasters as seen in recent floods, tornadoes and earthquakes. Some are brought on by terrorists or criminals where innocent people become victims of horrific acts. Some are accidents that happen in a split second of being in the wrong place at the wrong time or making a foolish choice. That…

I recently spent a long weekend with friends on the South Jersey shore. I came back tanned and re-energized from daily workouts, bike rides and time on the beach. It is amazing what that short break did for me. I hope all of you have a chance for a little mental and physical renewal before…

I am conflicted as I write this column. The city of Cleveland is exploding as it celebrates an NBA championship, ending the city’s 52 long years with no pro sports championships. The area is at a high point as the region celebrates the Cavaliers’ basketball victory, but that’s not all that’s going on. The Lake…

This Haya proverb from Tanzania has been on my mind quite a bit lately. In African culture, “many hands make light work” has a meaning of unity, organization, freedom, collective power, security and development. In our health and human service ministry, I often see similar expressions of this proverb. For example, I was honored to…

If your goal is to help people become more engaged and fulfilled in a Christian community, you don’t necessarily assign them to a board or committee. Instead, you ask them where their passions lie, what gives them energy, what serves and fulfills the desires of their best selves. For some people, that’s meetings, agendas and…

In Mark’s gospel, just after the miracle of the loaves and fishes, Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do people say I am?” Then he takes his questioning a step further to ask, “But who do you say I am?” These important questions about servant leadership were lifted up at the 78th CHHSM Annual Meeting in…

Bold vision. Inspired leaders. Shared values. According to the newly defined membership value proposition, these six words are how you see CHHSM fulfilling its mission of advancing and sustaining the work of healing and service as a ministry of the church. Bold vision is the prophetic voice of our member ministries as they live out…

Now is the time to envision the road ahead. As the New Year begins, we are mapping goals, making resolutions and planning for the future. In that spirit, here are CHHSM’s promises for the coming year: The mission of our shared faith-based ministry will be at the forefront of all our work. The United Church…