Insights from in and around the association

      UBA Voices      

Marie Burrus Marie Burrus

5 Things to Consider Before Transitioning from Your Church

If you are transitioning out of a ministry role—or considering doing so, it might be helpful to think through a few things. I recently resigned from a church that we planted in 1995 and that I pastored for 25 years. It was a huge decision and while knowing some things going into it, I also learned some things from it. These brief thoughts might be helpful to you.

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Marie Burrus Marie Burrus

Rooted Leadership in a Wavering World

UBA Church Consultant and Pastor of Higher Expectations Church Bryant Lee recently spoke in the Resilient Church Leaders webinar to help church leaders find footing in a wavering world. Watch the video or read a few excerpts here.

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Marie Burrus Marie Burrus

Meeting Community Needs Through ESL

After spending time in an international context, Chris Hall realized the need for those inside a community to help when there are language differences. He explains how you can get involved in ESL ministry at Houston's Northwest Church or start one of your own.

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Marie Burrus Marie Burrus

Virtual Mission Trip

COVID-19 has been a curveball for churches and missionaries alike. For our church, all of our trips were canceled. I am sure your church is in a similar place. The question facing all of us is the same: How do we do missions when we can’t go anywhere?

You go virtual!

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Marie Burrus Marie Burrus

Rethinking Planning Beyond the Pandemic

What does it mean to rethink planning? What kind of planning process would be appropriate when we’re still in a pandemic and the future seems so uncertain? A fresh way to engage in planning in this season will be based on these six things.

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Marie Burrus Marie Burrus

Rethinking the Nativity

I have always been an avid collector of nativities, picking one up as a souvenir for each of my travels near and far. So, I was incredibly surprised to find that the reality of the nativity is hardly depicted in most of my little scenes.

With some insight from Kenneth Bailey's Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, I've learned a lot about Middle Eastern culture and how things would have actually happened in the Christmas story. Here are some of the things I've gleaned.

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Marie Burrus Marie Burrus

Come All Ye Weary: Grace-Filled Parenting for Christmas

As a parent to two littles, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by—well, any number of things. Finding the perfect traditions to ensure everyone focuses on Christ this year can feel like another item on the to-do list, another way we’re failing to live up as parents, Christians, and ministers of the gospel. To make it better this year, our little family is trying to keep the focus on simple and small ways to weave Christmas traditions into our everyday lives.

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