I look back on 2016 with gratitude on all that has happened in our shared life of this passion-driven health and human service ministry called CHHSM. The dedication of the CHHSM board and staff motivates and pushes me to excel every day. The incredible ministry provided by all of our member organizations constantly inspires me.…

In my past two years as president and CEO, I have been blessed to work with the CHHSM Board of Directors as it grows and improves. My role also calls me to serve on the United Church of Christ board, the National Benevolent Association board and the Interfaith Roundtable. I have seen all of these…

As I approach the two-year mark of my call to be CHHSM president and CEO, I reflect on our work to create a clearer understanding of who we are as a ministry of the United Church of Christ. That work led us to the creation of a new value proposition for what membership looks for…

Accidents happen. Some are natural disasters as seen in recent floods, tornadoes and earthquakes. Some are brought on by terrorists or criminals where innocent people become victims of horrific acts. Some are accidents that happen in a split second of being in the wrong place at the wrong time or making a foolish choice. That…

I recently spent a long weekend with friends on the South Jersey shore. I came back tanned and re-energized from daily workouts, bike rides and time on the beach. It is amazing what that short break did for me. I hope all of you have a chance for a little mental and physical renewal before…

I am conflicted as I write this column. The city of Cleveland is exploding as it celebrates an NBA championship, ending the city’s 52 long years with no pro sports championships. The area is at a high point as the region celebrates the Cavaliers’ basketball victory, but that’s not all that’s going on. The Lake…

This Haya proverb from Tanzania has been on my mind quite a bit lately. In African culture, “many hands make light work” has a meaning of unity, organization, freedom, collective power, security and development. In our health and human service ministry, I often see similar expressions of this proverb. For example, I was honored to…

If your goal is to help people become more engaged and fulfilled in a Christian community, you don’t necessarily assign them to a board or committee. Instead, you ask them where their passions lie, what gives them energy, what serves and fulfills the desires of their best selves. For some people, that’s meetings, agendas and…

In Mark’s gospel, just after the miracle of the loaves and fishes, Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do people say I am?” Then he takes his questioning a step further to ask, “But who do you say I am?” These important questions about servant leadership were lifted up at the 78th CHHSM Annual Meeting in…