Reflections & Research
Discover what we are learning about what helps pastors thrive
August 4, 2026
L. Roger Owens and Mary Clare Owens: There’s no right way to pray
Father-daughter duo L. Roger and Mary Clare Owens have written “Praying Their Way: 24 Prayer Practices for Kids and the Adults Who Love Them,” a guide for parents on how to introduce the concept of prayer to their kids, and for kids on how to navigate their faith journey as obstacles occur.
read moreabout L. Roger Owens and Mary Clare Owens: There’s no right way to prayAugust 4, 2026
What happens when the pastor’s family isn’t perfect?
For ministers who carry private family pain, shame can be overwhelming. But our difficult lives might make us better clergy, writes a pastor and mother of a child with emotional and behavioral challenges.
read moreabout What happens when the pastor’s family isn’t perfect?July 7, 2026
Deon K. Johnson: As America marks its 250th year, the church has a crucial role to play in accurately telling the nation’s story (long version)
The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri’s ministry of writing and sharing daily prayers touches people beyond his parishes, as does his family’s experience of a traumatic year caught up in the federal crackdown on immigrants.
read moreabout Deon K. Johnson: As America marks its 250th year, the church has a crucial role to play in accurately telling the nation’s story (long version)June 9, 2026
When summer doesn’t feel like a season of ease
We typically anticipate relaxation and a slower pace in the summer, but that is hard to imagine this year. So it is even more important to prioritize rest and play, writes a psychologist who specializes in faith and mental health.
read moreabout When summer doesn’t feel like a season of ease