Laura Mariko Cheifetz
Director, Leading Generations Initiative
Recent entries:
December 31, 2010
I am wondering what you, smart FTE
alumni with loads of experience, think about making a different sort of
New Year’s resolution. What if, instead of or in addition to our more
elaborate goals, we each resolved to take a pause at each meeting,
before each class, or at each new task, to reflect or just give our
brains a break? We at the FTE offices can be oriented toward production,
whether it be a workshop, or fellowships, or trainings for
congregations. The interim president of FTE, Peg Birk, has introduced
this pause in our meetings. We are reminded to reflect on a piece of
poetry, or what it is we do, before we continue with the tasks for the
day. It is like a tiny Sabbath before each meeting.
Today, despite
my dismal failure rate at resolutions, this pause seems doable...
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August 13, 2010
As the demographics of American cities change, the work of leaders in congregations is becoming more complex. The American Community Survey released results that reveal demographics with implications for congregations and their leaders.
An emphasis on diversity and effective leadership is desperately needed in a time when leaders in the church, academy, and society are called to be bridge-builders and advocates of cross-racial and intergenerational coalitions.
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May 08, 2010
Welcome to FTE Alumnotes, a blog for, by and about FTE alumni/ae and
alumni/ae endeavors. We are a diverse group of leaders in the church,
the academy, and society. Since 1954, FTE and, more recently, the
Transition into Ministry Program, have provided support to over 7000
emerging leaders who have gone on to found campus ministries, pastor
countless churches, teach at leading institutions of higher education,
and served society through administration and community leadership.
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April 10, 2010
Several FTE Congregational Fellows and staff will be attending the Northwest Festival of
Preaching later this month, where both Lillian Daniel and Martin
Copenhaver will be preaching. In preparation for the Festival, FTE
gifted me with a copy of “This Odd and Wondrous Calling,” by Daniel and
Copenhaver...
When I reflect on the churches that encouraged my growing faith,
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March 23, 2010
That was the opening line for three cell phone calls I made on my first day working at FTE as Director of the Leading Generations Initiative. I was wrapped up in orientation to FTE and to the office, and wasn’t with my cell phone to pick up any calls. It is a good idea to do my job, after all!
The neurotic part of me thinks: what if I had missed THE CALL? I’m not advocating people stick like glue to their phones; a recent poll found that quite a few iPhone users sleep with their phones next to them on their pillows (People! Really?). I’m also not advocating taking phone calls in the middle of ordering food or at a meeting. I just think sometimes we run the risk of missing what’s important
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