by Steve Thomason | Mar 15, 2019 | Art, ministry
Why would a church be interested in a giant paint-by-number project? Imagine an 18’ x 10’ canvas, divided into twelve 3’ x 5’ panels. Now imagine that each of these canvas panels is covered with random shapes, drawn in sharpie marker. Each shape has a number written...
by stevethomason | Jan 23, 2019 | ministry
Should a pastor be an artist? Can a pastor be a cartoonist (is cartooning even art)? Isn’t a pastor’s job to focus on the people and the business of a congregation? There are hurting people to visit in the hospital, a neighborhood to engage, meetings and staff to...
by Steve Thomason | Jan 13, 2018 | ministry
Yesterday was lots of fun. I was hired by Virginia Theological Seminary to take visual notes for the eFormation18 Conference. I got this gig because Lisa Kimball “happened” to sit next to me at the plenary session of the Religious Educators Association in 2016 and...
by Steve Thomason | Apr 24, 2017 | ministry
Jan Edmiston’s post is called “Preaching While White” and is worth the read. It is timely for me as I am currently reading through the Religious Education Journal issue dedicated to Race and Religious Education. One thing that I am gleaning from...
by Steve Thomason | May 7, 2016 | ministry
The theme for our Synod Assembly this year was Can I Get a Witness. Bishop Ann Svennungsen invited two amazing storytellers to demonstrate for us and encourage us that sharing the Gospel is simply sharing the story of what God has done and is doing in our own lives....
by Steve Thomason | Dec 12, 2015 | ministry
We ran a little experiment in Adult Faith Formation at Grace this fall and I would like to reflect on its effectiveness. This was the experiment. I offered a seven-week course on the Books of Moses titled: Beginnings. We offered it on Sunday night and on Wednesday...