This past week I heard a conversation between Alexander John Shaia and Rob Bell. Both figures push the boundaries of the conventional (the commonly agreed upon codes and practices of a group, at the expense of individuality) and so I...
We are told not to talk about religion or politics at dinner. This has also translated over into being told not to talk about religion or politics at church, hasn’t it? That being said, I have become less and less...
On Having a Growth Mindset My parents did a great job of instilling the importance of a growth mindset. I do not always live up to it, or remember to maintain it, but in my better moments I am able...
Last week I received a kind email from someone that was asking for tips about how to journal. I was a little surprised but I also felt a little humbled. People have commented to me more than once that they...
Curious title, right? I was journaling earlier today and thought I could spend some time listing out tropes and tips I have heard about forgiveness over the years. I thought I would type them up and make them into two...
“You’ve made a holy fool of me and I’ve thanked you ever since.”– In a Sweater Poorly Knit by mewithoutYou When I first heard the above lyric, I was tickled by the wordplay. A “holy fool” is the old Eastern...
A few days ago I looked at my Goodreads app to see what books I have logged in this calendar year. 2020 was my record (thanks to the pandemic), with this year being 32 books read (as of writing this)....
Over the past few months, no, years, I have been reflecting on what it means to have a healthy spirituality. Now, to me spirituality is the thing that breathes life into you. And more than that, hopefully your spirituality is...
My name is John Chaffee, I am 37 years old and I have essentially worked in paid ministries in different capacities for now 20 years. When I read your recent article that 38% of US pastors have thought about quitting...
If “Christianity” is just about life after death but never asking the difficult question of the possibility of life BEFORE death then you can count whole scores of people out. More than that, If it is about denying the hard...
© 2024 · John Chaffee MDiv, ThM
