Category Archives: My Life as Pastor

Moments of Grace in a Sea of Trouble

Posted on September 30, 2023 by smaxreisert

It’s a hard time to be in the church business. It’s difficult to be a parishioner watching one’s congregation getting smaller and smaller and trying to get one’s head around the overwhelmingly difficult decisions that are looming. It’s difficult to … Continue reading →

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Wondering About Life-Altering Experiences in a Secular World

Posted on July 31, 2023 by smaxreisert

Last week, I had to deliver my daughter to the bus station in Portland, Maine early in the morning. After helping her carry her stuff into the line to board the bus, I got back into my vehicle and took … Continue reading →

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Hey! Different Kind of Church Here! Part 2

Posted on July 18, 2023 by smaxreisert

I don’t keep my profession a secret, but there are times when I wish I could. One recent example involves a little monthly pampering that I give to myself: I get a pedicure about once a month. I’ve seen the … Continue reading →

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These Difficult Days

Posted on June 11, 2023 by smaxreisert

It’s a tough time to be a clergyperson. We are expected not only to be able to complete widely-divergent tasks, but to do them well— from plumbing and building issues to website design (and maintenance) to flock wrangling to sermon … Continue reading →

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Blurred Lines

Posted on February 10, 2023 by smaxreisert

I recently spent most of a day driving one of our family vehicles that I don’t use very often. Since I didn’t have a way of using my phone for entertainment or access to Sirius XM, I engaged in one … Continue reading →

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To Focus on Women of the New Testament

Posted on June 20, 2022 by smaxreisert

Since the beginning of Lent this year, almost every single Sunday worship at Old South has focused on a scripture passage that features at least one woman. In Lent, we considered the “Women Around Jesus.” For the Easter Season and … Continue reading →

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To Keep the Weariness at Bay

Posted on October 25, 2021 by smaxreisert

During the first years of my marriage and when my children were young, part of our annual family vacation involved a trip to the Outer Banks in North Carolina to spend time with extended family.  Over the course of our … Continue reading →

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In Another Country

Posted on September 30, 2021 by smaxreisert

To prepare for a recent two-week trip to Italy, I tried to learn a little Italian.  Each day, I spent time with “the Owl” (aka Duolingo).  It didn’t help much.  When I got to Italy, I realized how little I … Continue reading →

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The Silencing

Posted on April 30, 2021 by smaxreisert

Over the many years I’ve been in parish ministry, it’s not uncommon to find myself in a particular situation that I find especially challenging:  dealing with adult children of a recently deceased church member whose spouse has already passed away … Continue reading →

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Bringing Thankfulness for Today into Tomorrow

Posted on February 11, 2021 by smaxreisert

Old South held its first ever virtual annual meeting this past Sunday.  It was a nice, neat and short meeting.  As with any normal annual meeting, we voted on a slate of officers and a budget for the coming year.  … Continue reading →

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