Ask a Young Clergywoman: Pastoral Care Inadequacy Edition

Dear Askie, I’m in my first few years of ministry, and, while I have always been highly empathic, I feel almost hypocritical when people come to me with their problems and grief. How can I offer good, authentic pastoral care to people who are suffering and going through terrible experiences when I myself have always […]

Ten Things to Do for Christmas

It’s that time of year: Christmas. And as clergy, we are often tasked with making sure everyone else’s Christmas goes perfectly. Sometimes, that means we forget about our own Christmases. In the spirit of giving (and preparing, re: Advent), here is a list of 10 things to do as we get closer to Christmas. Whether […]

Dear Askie: I Need to Hire!

Dear Askie, It’s been a wild couple of months at my call; two staff members have taken new jobs, leaving me (as lead pastor) to fill their roles. I don’t know where to start, as I’ve never had to hire anyone before! Any tips or tricks to help make this process a little smoother?  Sincerely, […]

What to Expect When Your Pastor is Expecting

Dear Young Clergywoman, My pastor just announced to our congregation that she is pregnant. We are all very excited for her, but we also haven’t been in this situation before. What tips do you have for celebrating this news with her? What would be helpful? What should we avoid?  Thank you! -An Excited Congregant

Dear Askie: I’m Changing Calls!

Dear Askie, I have just accepted a new call! It’s very exciting but also very sad. You see, I’m leaving my current call after almost eight years. I love the people, and we have done some amazing things together. I want to leave well—for me and for them—but I am not really sure how to […]

When does a pastor have the “period” talk with her parishioners?

When does a pastor have the “period” talk with her parishioners? Second Timothy 1:7 proclaims, “God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” But I’ve still been wrestling with this question as a novice pastor serving a small town, rural community along the East Coast. My […]

How to Boss Up

One of the reasons Young Clergy Women International exists is to offer a space for young clergy women to seek support, share ideas, and build community. Last week one of us posed this question in our Facebook group: I need some help preparing for confrontational conversations. AKA: Help me Boss Up.   She went on […]

So You Want To Be An Ally: Showing Up Well for Pride

So, you want to be an ally? Wonderful! To start, let’s clear up a couple of things. First, ally is not a term we get to give ourselves. It is one given to us by communities to whom we are proximate, and with whom we are in solidarity and doing the work. I actually prefer […]

Ask a YCW: Discerning a Call Edition

Dear Askie, I think God is calling me to ministry! I never realized what a long and involved process it’s going to be to become a pastor. And did you know that even with a seminary degree, ordination isn’t guaranteed??? I was shocked to find out there are so many things I have to do! […]

Ask a Young Clergy Woman: Working With Potential Partners With Theological Differences

Dear Askie, As a Young Clergy Woman who serves a mostly-progressive Christian congregation, I find myself constantly frustrated by requests for collaboration or rental of our building space from more conservative Christian organizations whose theology radically differs from our own. How might I compassionately but firmly explain our church’s unwillingness to partner with these organizations […]