by Karl Fickling | Oct 7, 2020 | Leadership
The exchange was rather disgusting, even nauseating. The emotion was heated, bordering on explosive. The words were repulsive, even contemptible. I wanted so much to tear myself away, but like watching a train wreck, I stayed until the end. I’m not talking about the...
by Karl Fickling | May 6, 2020 | Carroll Community
In Part I, we looked at how a bad match between a prospective pastor and church should stop the call process before taking both parties down. In Part II, we examined how a seemingly stable pastorate can be destroyed by a small group attacking the pastor. This is...
by Karl Fickling | Feb 6, 2020 | Carroll Community
Part II In Part I, I looked at how admitting when a pastor and a church are a bad match—and calling off the pursuit—is better than denying the problems and moving forward with employment. This week, I want to look at a common occurrence that ends established...
by Karl Fickling | Jan 8, 2020 | Carroll Community
Part I Can you stand one more person reflecting back on 2019? I, too, want to look at meaningful events from this last year. Specifically, I want to look at common ways I saw pastors say goodbye. In fact, I want to look at three seasons, in ministry, when...
by Karl Fickling | Apr 11, 2019 | Carroll Community, Leadership, Ministry
During my hospital chaplain days, I got a call from Sandy, the director of nursing. “Karl,” she said, “there’s a couple in L & D (labor and delivery) getting ready to have a baby. They desperately want to get married before their baby is delivered. Will you come...
