I Was 22, Pregnant and Alone: Adoption Was The Way
In this piece I wrote which was published in this month’s issue of The Mennonite magazine, I took on the call to reflect on a favorite scripture from the Bible. My “Shaped by Scripture” reflection shares how one small part of a well-known story about Jesus plunged my life and plans into the best kind of tailspin. Here’s how it starts: The rowing moments: A reflection on Jesus calling the first disciples Luke 5:1-11 “When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.” Luke 5:11 I love… Read More
Need a Leader? Look Behind You.
At the beginning of 2016 I launched a full-fledged writing agency called Cicada as I am working on being a leader—essentially creating opportunities to lead instead of waiting around for someone in front of me to tap me for those roles. I decided that if I’m going to be a leader I had better just turn around and tap myself. But something interesting happened when I turned around to tap myself. I saw leaders behind me. Not people behind me in terms of experience or education but in terms of the leaders… Read More
LEADERS: DO THIS, DON’T DO THAT.
I wrote this post as an article for the Leadership column of The Mennonite magazine’s most recent issue. There are powerful leaders and humble leaders, horrible leaders and questionable leaders. Throughout my adult life of working under various leaders—from churches to places of employment, from neighborhood associations to my children’s school board, from nonprofit organizations where I’ve volunteered to my own family—I’ve had varying experiences of leaders and come to understand that everyone is a teacher. They teach me what to do and sometimes what not to do. 1. Do this: Get your hands dirty When… Read More
Claire DeBerg // Writer 