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...
by Karl Fickling | Dec 13, 2018 | Carroll Community, Ministry, Op-Ed
My family watched the recorded national funeral service for President George H. W. Bush, #41. Towards the ending of the Episcopal service, the congregation was invited to recite the Apostles Creed. We were touched by watching all former presidents, AND their wives,...
by Karl Fickling | Oct 11, 2018 | Leadership, Ministry, Op-Ed
As I write this, I’m two days away from burying my Uncle Don. He’s the last of his generation. All four of his siblings, including my mother, and all their spouses, are already gone. Some are long gone. Don was hardly the one we thought would live the longest. He was...
by Karl Fickling | Apr 19, 2018 | Carroll Community, Leadership, Ministry
Unfortunately, meeting with church leaders, where a pastor left “poorly,” is all too common in my life. “Our last pastor didn’t feed me,” is a common complaint. It’s not a fair gripe, as we all know that preaching is subjective, and reaching a diverse (in theology...
by Wade Berry | Jan 30, 2018 | Carroll Community
Professional development is an important but often neglected part of the church leader’s task. Seminary cannot teach us all that we need to know to be good servants and leaders of God’s people, and we need to keep our minds nimble and active as we gain age and...
