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Continue reading →: Books for Summer ReadingSummer can be a great time to catch up on reading, and this summer I’m catching up with the following books and here’s why. First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament by Terry M. Wildman, First Nations Version Translation Council (IVP Books, 2021). I’ve already started reading this…
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Continue reading →: The Only Sermon, Workshop, and Sunday School Class Outline You’ll Ever NeedWhenever I have trouble getting started on a sermon, workshop, Sunday school class, or any other presentation or piece of writing, I turn to Shook-Hook-Book-Took. I learned this four-part framework long ago at a workshop on how to lead a workshop. How I wish I had kept proper notes so…
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Continue reading →: The Church and Clergy Sexual MisconductIf you’ve been following church news in Canada, you already know that the pastor of one of the country’s largest mega-churches was investigated for sexual misconduct and forced to resign from his church. More allegations have surfaced, and last week Bruxy Cavey was arrested and charged with sexual assault. Allegations…
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Continue reading →: Pentecost: Come, Let Us See What These Strange Events Are All AboutThree months ago, my regular postings for When You Work for the Church stopped abruptly due to my husband’s unexpected death on February 19, 2022. The shock of his loss sent me reeling, and I’m still deeply grieving, though also gradually resuming my work of ministry. I still sense God’s…
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Continue reading →: What Can Leaders and Churches Do to Respond to Loneliness?In January 2018, British Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Tracy Crouch as the country’s first Minister of Loneliness. At that time, a reported 14 percent of Britain’s population often or always felt lonely. “For far too many people, loneliness is the sad reality of modern life,” said Prime MInister May. …
When You Work for the Church
Hello,
I’m April Yamasaki
Welcome to When You Work for the Church. I’ve been a church volunteer and a full-time pastor. I’ve led small groups and served on denominational committees. When I resigned from pastoral ministry to focus on my writing, I knew that I wanted to be—needed to be—grounded in a local congregation. I love the church!
But I also know that churches and church organizations have not always lived up to their calling, have brought harm instead of healing. So I started this website to share resources for doing ministry better, and pray that together we might serve more faithfully and effectively.
For a healthy rhythm of work and rest, I’d love to send you my ebook.
When You Work for the Church 