Category Archives: Christian Ministry

At Pride, in the name of love

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Sharon Autenrieth

I was at St Louis Pride this weekend. Saturday night, as I felt more and more anxious about being “outed” as a Pride attendee, I decided I needed to write about it; face my fear head on. I could tell … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Ministry, Christianity, church, homosexuality, spirituality | 13 Comments

17 thoughts on not being a pastor

Posted on June 3, 2015 by Sharon Autenrieth

1.  I never much liked the title anyway, so that’s lucky. 2.  When I first heard that I might not be relicensed this year I was panicked, angry, hurt, and desperate to get the Credentials Board to change their mind. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Ministry, Christianity, church, religion, spirituality | 8 Comments

A letter to our sisters, on biblical womanhood in heavenly places

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Sharon Autenrieth

Yesterday Julie Anne at Spiritual Sounding posted this response to an article at cbmw.org.  That’s the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, the flagship organization for complementarian theology.  I was alarmed by the excerpts in Julie Anne’s piece, so I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian Ministry, Christianity, church, feminism, gender, patriarchy, religion, spirituality, theology | Tagged , | 38 Comments

Grace in the Valley of Baka

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Sharon Autenrieth

This is one of my favorite passages from the Psalms, specifically from Psalm 84: Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian Ministry, Christianity, mental illness, religion, spirituality | Tagged , , , | 24 Comments

Tragedy, Twitter and Teachable Moments

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Sharon Autenrieth

A note of correction before we go further:  This post was initially written based on incomplete information, having seen multiple reports that John Piper tweeted Job 1:19, in isolation.  That was incorrect.  He immediately followed that tweet with another, posting … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, blogging, Christian Ministry, Christianity, news, religion, spirituality, theology | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Reality TV explores the mysterious world of clergy families

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Sharon Autenrieth

I am a preacher’s daughter.  Does this make you wonder what wild rebellions I went through as a teen?  What scandals I brought on my family? My mom was a pastor’s wife.  Does this cause you to imagine her glamorous, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Ministry, Christianity, church, family, gender, marriage, media, parenting, religion, spirituality, television | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Pastor Who of What Now?

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Sharon Autenrieth

You may have noticed that I’m posting more frequently.  I’ve detected a distinct correlation.  The more I post, the more views there are on my blog.  Aha!  What an insight!  So I’m trying.  And when it comes to writing, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in blogging, Christian Ministry, church, Daily Life, education, religion, spirituality | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

When Death Comes, Love Means Showing Up

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Sharon Autenrieth

“I don’t really understand what the grieving are going through,” I’ve said many times. “I’ve never lost anyone very close to me.” I will never say that again. My mother died last week. It was sudden and shocking to us, … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, Bible, Christian Ministry, family, memories, religion, spirituality | Tagged , | 10 Comments

Why I love “Rushmore”, and you should, too

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Sharon Autenrieth

I’m back in school for another 12 weeks, taking “Interpreting Scripture” and “Spiritual Formation in the Wesleyan-Holiness Tradition”.  I’m excited about the specific classes, but I am reluctant to see my free time disappear again.  It’s been a special treat … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Ministry, media, movies, videos | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Go to Dinner: Luke 19:1-10

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Sharon Autenrieth

A few people have asked if I could post my second sermon, preached last month while both of the other pastors were away.  So I’ve copied the text here, with very little editing applied –  which will lead you to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, blogging, Christian Ministry, church, religion, spirituality | Tagged | 2 Comments