About

My name is Jan Edmiston and I’m trying to follow Jesus in the thick of things.  I love the church enough to try to transform it.

This blog is my own.  It doesn’t necessarily reflect the views of my denomination or presbytery.  Writing here since 2005.

59 responses to “About

  1. Looking forward to hear more from you!

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  2. Charlotte Humphries

    I would like to use your blog on healthy churches as the basis for a paper on healthy schools. Could you e-mail me?
    Thank you,
    Charlotte

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  3. Hi — I have an internet reading list for Presbyterians, http://www.scoop.it/t/thinking-presbyterian, and am now putting a second link to your site on the list — and I try to give credit to the author, you, in the listing — but darn if I can find your name on this site. Perhaps you are intentionally anonymous? Or perhaps I’m blind as a bat? In any case, I’d love for you to contact me at jimcollie@gmail.com. Thanks!

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  5. I just found your blog. Thanks.

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  6. I would love to read your writing about preaching as spiritual direction. I’m a spiritual director and curious.

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    • Hi Nancy – It’s on file in the Columbia Seminary Library in Decatur, GA. I’m not sure where my own copy is after moving 2 years ago.
      I’ll see what I can find and get back to you.

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  7. Jan–
    I’m blessed to have Rev. Laura Becker as a friend and colleague, and she is gracious enough to listen to my ramblings about church leadership. She recently mentioned that you led a successful effort to transform the work of the session through the installation of trustees. I’d love to learn more about this. Is there an easy way to find your writings/reflections on the subject? It might be of great help at the church I’m currently serving.

    Thanks–Keith Jones

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  8. If you have time I would love to follow up with you on the church size thing. carl

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  9. Hi Jan! Got the link to your blog from Jim Chappell. Will enjoy following you. We think of you and Fred often, with great fondness!

    Bill and Tommy Wallace

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  10. Hi Jan–I’m a regular reader of your blog & enjoy your insights! I’m looking for one of your older posts on the need to teach church leaders effective conflict management skills. I think you also referenced “Crucial Conversations” in that one. Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks!

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  11. Jan, I rarely comment on any particular post, but read most and think, “YES!” Thank you so much for your wisdom and love for the church.

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  12. Mary-Anne Delaney

    I have been praying for two years now for Palmata Musa, a girl captured by Boko Haram. I have scoured the internet and can’t find any information on her or the rest of the girls. Do you know where I can find information on her?

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    • Hi Mary-Anne. I’ve done the same for Sicker Abdul. Even if there is news about the girls, I have s feeling that the press is not sharing their names for their own protection. I hope one day we’ll know.

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  13. Tracy Fairfield

    May I share your blog in my church newsletter, specifically “When Churches want a Pastor…”

    It’s GREAT!!
    Thanks!
    Rev. Tracy

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  14. quicksilver1953

    Thanks for being at PYT2016 with our youth community!

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  15. Looking to connect and dialog with other Christians online who have an active blog or website. Look forward to reading more of your posts. Feel free to checkout my blog at barbarajcouch.wordpress.com . My email is barbarajcouch9@gmail.com. Peace & Blessings

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  16. I have been trying to get in touch with you about an event in Charleston Atlantic Presbytery that will be held after General Assembly is over. Please tell me the best way to reach you.

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  17. Hi Jan,
    We’re you a student minister at the Presbyterian Church in Burlington, MA many moons ago? I opened “These Days” devotions and saw your name.

    Thanks, Joan Ross

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  18. Hi Jan,
    Would love to subscribe to your blog. Tell me how.
    Lil Rea from Peace River Presbytery

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    • Hi Lil – Hope you are well. Here you go:

      On WordPress.com, any reader can follow (subscribe to) your blog to receive an email every time you write a new post. Logged in users of WordPress.com can do this by clicking the Follow button in their admin bar. Logged out readers can click the Follow button in the lower right-hand corner of your blog’s home page.

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  19. Marsha McElroy

    Thank you Jan for your insightful comments and concrete suggestions.

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  20. Jan,
    Our church was hoping to get you and Denise to come and speak to us about how our mission statement could be enacted in the world and how other churches maybe doing the same type of work.
    We would be willing to pay a stipend and travel costs. Please let me know how better to contact you.

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  21. So true.

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  22. Jan,
    Thank you so much for speaking at our gathering yesterday in Troy. Matt has told me numerous times that I should connect with you. I can see now why.
    Your windows story is one I won’t soon forget. Thank you for being the voice of change in our Presbytery. And thank you for all you do.
    Hope to stay in touch.
    Vivian Robinson

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  24. I’ve been the cause of eye rolls more than once. I am trying to both get used to it and to find a way to avoid it.

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  25. Love your writing. Add me to your mailing list

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  26. Really enjoy your thinking

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  27. I love your blog, the truth of it all, the practicality. In today’s, you start with the quote attributed to Franklin. I first heard about it on the ESPN clip. I liked it so much I looked it up. Turns out it was never Ben Franklin, they don’t know who said it. It didn’t matter to me because I thought whoever said it was spot on. Thought you might like to know.

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    • Oh, thanks. I checked before posting it and it’s attributed to him, but I agree that it’s spot on. Thank you for your kind words.

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      • Joyce Galiette

        Thank you. I looked online when I read it but could not confirm it. I am trying to be really respectful and do my homework before I post/advance anything on social media. Can you show me where? I would love to have that link. Thank you.

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  28. Hope you and your family are well. 🙂

    I’m signing up to receive your posts via email.

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  29. Was “The Opposite of Rental-San” meant to be a new post on the blog, or a new section? It’s showing up in the menu, after Home and About.

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  30. Scott and Scottie Lindsay

    This is great! I’d like to receive your posts!

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  31. Thanks for a writing insightful blog…

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  32. Polly Williams

    Thank you! I shared the wonder of the heavens w my 87 yr old mom and we were both so encouraged and Inspired!!!!

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  33. Are you not on Twitter anymore?

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  34. Please add me to your mailing list.

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  35. I’ve been following you for a while…this just came in from another author I follow & thought you should know about it…

    The Big Idea: Mark Elsdon

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