When faced with challenges or problems, it is human nature for us to want to assign blame. This week Pastor Arik looks at why we should resist the urge to pass blame on others, as he explores how it gets in the way of the important work that needs to be done
Patience is a virtue for a reason. It is immensely difficult to practice, and in our day and age, it grows harder to be patient with each passing day. Join Pastor Arik as he explores the importance of patience in our lives and how patience is a spiritual practice.
On this week's episode, Pastor Arik lifts up some stories from the first responders on the scene on 9/11. Let us give thanks for our first responders and commit ourselves to supporting them and thanking them for their bravery
As Pastor Arik prepares to transition out of his role as pastor at Community of Faith, he encourages the church to look at the upcoming change as an opportunity. Which soil will we choose to become?
Reflecting upon some wisdom his wife shared recently, this week Pastor Arik takes a look at the power of reframing the worries we experience and the importance of spreading more love and light into the world.
TW: School Shootings
As Pastor Arik prepares to send his eldest son off to first grade this week, there is a thought that will linger in the back of his mind as he watches him board the bus each morning... "Will this be the last time I get to see my son?" Join Pastor Arik as he prays for our students, teachers, parents and administrators as they face the challenges of the new school year
This upcoming Sunday we take time during worship to bless the many pets in our lives. Join Pastor Arik as this week he explores what makes this service so special, and how important pets are in our lives
As Pastor Arik grieves the loss of a friend earlier this week and prepares to officiate a funeral later this week, he takes time to reflect on funerals and his approach to helping families in their time of need.
As August approaches, this week Pastor Arik reflects on just how much is going on in the coming month and finds himself embracing this quiet before the storm.
As the heat of the summer continues, this week Pastor Arik uses a metaphor of bottled water to explore how we need to advocate and know our own value and worth
Back from Indianapolis and recovering from the flu, this week Pastor Arik offers a short reflection on what it means to hold grace for ourselves and others and to not judge one another for who we were at our worst.
After a long day of church business, Pastor Arik gives his final update from the General Synod
Pastor Arik gives another update from General Synod, filling us in with what happened on Saturday and Sunday! Listen in!
Pastor Arik gives his first update from the General Synod! Listen in!
General Synod kicks off this week! Pastor Arik will be doing periodic updates from General Synod, but to start things off he takes time to explore the committee he is part of and the resolution the committee is in charge of bringing before the general assembly. If you are interested in the various resolutions that will be discussed and voted on, you can read them all at https://generalsynod.org/proposed-resolutions
You can listen or subscribe on iTunes here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-clergy-corner/id1076603330
You can listen or subscribe on Spotify here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3XAsozi8VZRyZdsSoN4Avi
Now that we are in the month of June, we are halfway through the year. Taking time to check in with ourselves and where we are at so far, this week we look at where we have come from and how we want to live for the second half of the year.
After a heartbreaking loss last week, Pastor Arik reflects upon a moment he experienced that will remain with him forever.
After getting to spend some quality time with members of the church for food and fellowship, this week Pastor Arik reflects on why sharing food with one another is the fastest way to grow closer together as a church.
Pastor Arik has had a slew of funerals recently for members of the surrounding area, so this week he takes a look at why funerals are so important, even to our growing secular society
This week Pastor Arik takes a closer look at one of his favorite prayers, "The Serenity Prayer"
Recently Pastor Arik has been toying around with ChatGPT and other AI assistants, and what he has discovered has changed the way he looks at the world and the future before us. Join him as he explores the advent of AI and as he issues a special challenge to his listeners in the coming months.
In the midst of navigating some challenges and frustrations at work, this week Pastor Arik looks at the importance of navigating hard times with integrity and grace. Listen in as he explores the importance of overcoming challenging times with grace.
As Pastor Arik recovers from a post-Easter illness, he takes a look at a message he kept ruminating on this week. Join him as he explores why it is so important to see the good in people, even those who have hurt us before.
Holy Week is upon us, so this week Pastor Arik takes a look at the importance of sitting in the midst of the discomfort of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, rather than rushing to the good news of Easter morning. Join him as he lifts up a poem for reflection from Sh'maya, titled, "Golgatha"
With our Lenten journey drawing to a close, this week Pastor Arik looks back on our Lenten season and lifts up some lessons he has learned along the way