Jeff McLain
@jeffmclain.bsky.social
Director at Water Street Mission • Pastor at River Corner Church • Blogger on Patheos • DMin Student • Goal: drink coffee & work on the boardwalk.
Pinned
Jeff McLain
@jeffmclain.bsky.social
· Nov 25
I'm a reflective continuist who started out as a disillusioned hitchhiker, event promoter, and spiritual pilgrim. I encountered Jesus in the Vineyard Movement.
Since then, I've borrowed many other theological influences, Quaker disciplines, and Anabaptism.
Pastoring in a simple Jesus community.
Since then, I've borrowed many other theological influences, Quaker disciplines, and Anabaptism.
Pastoring in a simple Jesus community.
Sometimes God’s voice feels quiet.
In those seasons, I’m learning to root myself in values—anchors that help me stay faithful when direction feels foggy.
A new post on @patheos.com.
In those seasons, I’m learning to root myself in values—anchors that help me stay faithful when direction feels foggy.
A new post on @patheos.com.
When God Seems Silent: Naming Values For The Season
When God seems silent, root yourself in faithfulness. Discover how naming values for the season—like “intersections”—can help you listen and live with purpose.
www.patheos.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Sometimes God’s voice feels quiet.
In those seasons, I’m learning to root myself in values—anchors that help me stay faithful when direction feels foggy.
A new post on @patheos.com.
In those seasons, I’m learning to root myself in values—anchors that help me stay faithful when direction feels foggy.
A new post on @patheos.com.
Discover how Luther’s four threads—Instruction, Thanksgiving, Confession, and Prayer—can weave stillness and community into daily faith.
A blog post on @patheos.com.
A blog post on @patheos.com.
Threads Of Stillness: Learning To Let Scripture Read Us
Discover how Luther’s four threads—Instruction, Thanksgiving, Confession, and Prayer—can weave stillness and community into daily faith.
www.patheos.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Discover how Luther’s four threads—Instruction, Thanksgiving, Confession, and Prayer—can weave stillness and community into daily faith.
A blog post on @patheos.com.
A blog post on @patheos.com.
After church, we headed for the mountains — spending the afternoon and evening in Mauch Chunk (Jim Thorpe). The fog hung low, the train moved slow, and the evening walk reminded me how sacred simple days can be.
November 10, 2025 at 1:44 AM
After church, we headed for the mountains — spending the afternoon and evening in Mauch Chunk (Jim Thorpe). The fog hung low, the train moved slow, and the evening walk reminded me how sacred simple days can be.
This morning I am enjoying a daddy-daughter outing downtown with my oldest daughter. #iheartlancity
November 8, 2025 at 3:09 PM
This morning I am enjoying a daddy-daughter outing downtown with my oldest daughter. #iheartlancity
This week I concluded the Sojourn series with an examination of how in this season I find myself “post-everything.”
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
Sojourn: Post-Everything (Part Six)
A pastor’s journey beyond labels into post-everything but still following Jesus with simplicity, mission, and a quiet life.
www.patheos.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:12 PM
This week I concluded the Sojourn series with an examination of how in this season I find myself “post-everything.”
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
“The [Lord’s] Prayer, in this short phrase (Your Kingdom Come), inverts everything that we have considered normal and redirects our hearts toward the rule of God.”
— David Timms
— David Timms
November 4, 2025 at 2:30 AM
“The [Lord’s] Prayer, in this short phrase (Your Kingdom Come), inverts everything that we have considered normal and redirects our hearts toward the rule of God.”
— David Timms
— David Timms
Sometimes God sends the smallest reminders that the light of the Kingdom is still breaking into our ordinary spaces. A quiet room. A cup of coffee. Then—suddenly—a prism of color rests on the scriptures.
God, help me learn to give thanks in the middle of the messiness of life.
God, help me learn to give thanks in the middle of the messiness of life.
November 2, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Sometimes God sends the smallest reminders that the light of the Kingdom is still breaking into our ordinary spaces. A quiet room. A cup of coffee. Then—suddenly—a prism of color rests on the scriptures.
God, help me learn to give thanks in the middle of the messiness of life.
God, help me learn to give thanks in the middle of the messiness of life.
The Lord’s Prayer flips the power dynamic of our lives:
It’s not me — it’s us.
It’s not my God — it’s our Father.
God is near, yet above us — not bending to our will.
My kingdom yields to God’s Kingdom.
My will bows beneath God’s.
The Lord’s Prayer reorders our lives around the power of God.
It’s not me — it’s us.
It’s not my God — it’s our Father.
God is near, yet above us — not bending to our will.
My kingdom yields to God’s Kingdom.
My will bows beneath God’s.
The Lord’s Prayer reorders our lives around the power of God.
October 31, 2025 at 2:53 PM
The Lord’s Prayer flips the power dynamic of our lives:
It’s not me — it’s us.
It’s not my God — it’s our Father.
God is near, yet above us — not bending to our will.
My kingdom yields to God’s Kingdom.
My will bows beneath God’s.
The Lord’s Prayer reorders our lives around the power of God.
It’s not me — it’s us.
It’s not my God — it’s our Father.
God is near, yet above us — not bending to our will.
My kingdom yields to God’s Kingdom.
My will bows beneath God’s.
The Lord’s Prayer reorders our lives around the power of God.
We claim “God is near to the brokenhearted,” but then try to look unbroken.
Real talk: pretending doesn’t heal us.
Vulnerability does.
Imagine homes, churches, and friendships where we stop hiding and start healing.
Honesty > Image.
Real talk: pretending doesn’t heal us.
Vulnerability does.
Imagine homes, churches, and friendships where we stop hiding and start healing.
Honesty > Image.
October 28, 2025 at 8:35 PM
We claim “God is near to the brokenhearted,” but then try to look unbroken.
Real talk: pretending doesn’t heal us.
Vulnerability does.
Imagine homes, churches, and friendships where we stop hiding and start healing.
Honesty > Image.
Real talk: pretending doesn’t heal us.
Vulnerability does.
Imagine homes, churches, and friendships where we stop hiding and start healing.
Honesty > Image.
Today, I am allocating some time to being resourced on building bridges in a changing world through funerals with Dr. Bill Hoy, in support of my responsibilities as a pastor at Water Street Mission and River Corner Church. This resourcing explores “Grief and Memorial Events” and “Memorial Anchors.”
October 21, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Today, I am allocating some time to being resourced on building bridges in a changing world through funerals with Dr. Bill Hoy, in support of my responsibilities as a pastor at Water Street Mission and River Corner Church. This resourcing explores “Grief and Memorial Events” and “Memorial Anchors.”
One of the commitments in my updated Rule of Life is taking each of my daughters on monthly daddy-daughter dates.
I pastor in two contexts, but I can’t let ministry win over family time. This helps win at home. This week, my second oldest picked The Pancake Farm, a trail, and the new Tron movie.
I pastor in two contexts, but I can’t let ministry win over family time. This helps win at home. This week, my second oldest picked The Pancake Farm, a trail, and the new Tron movie.
October 18, 2025 at 3:33 PM
One of the commitments in my updated Rule of Life is taking each of my daughters on monthly daddy-daughter dates.
I pastor in two contexts, but I can’t let ministry win over family time. This helps win at home. This week, my second oldest picked The Pancake Farm, a trail, and the new Tron movie.
I pastor in two contexts, but I can’t let ministry win over family time. This helps win at home. This week, my second oldest picked The Pancake Farm, a trail, and the new Tron movie.
One of the commitments in my updated Rule of Life is taking each of my daughters on monthly daddy-daughter dates.
These moments are special. They’re a way to honor who they are, invest in them, listen to what’s on their hearts, and model what healthy relationships look like.
These moments are special. They’re a way to honor who they are, invest in them, listen to what’s on their hearts, and model what healthy relationships look like.
October 18, 2025 at 3:23 PM
One of the commitments in my updated Rule of Life is taking each of my daughters on monthly daddy-daughter dates.
These moments are special. They’re a way to honor who they are, invest in them, listen to what’s on their hearts, and model what healthy relationships look like.
These moments are special. They’re a way to honor who they are, invest in them, listen to what’s on their hearts, and model what healthy relationships look like.
The Lord’s Prayer isn’t just a prayer — it’s a path and a framework.
It’s a path that leads us into confession and a framework that realigns our theology, priorities, and life with the kingdom of God.
It is prayed personally and communally—even when prayed individually, roots us in community.
🛤️
It’s a path that leads us into confession and a framework that realigns our theology, priorities, and life with the kingdom of God.
It is prayed personally and communally—even when prayed individually, roots us in community.
🛤️
October 17, 2025 at 12:13 PM
The Lord’s Prayer isn’t just a prayer — it’s a path and a framework.
It’s a path that leads us into confession and a framework that realigns our theology, priorities, and life with the kingdom of God.
It is prayed personally and communally—even when prayed individually, roots us in community.
🛤️
It’s a path that leads us into confession and a framework that realigns our theology, priorities, and life with the kingdom of God.
It is prayed personally and communally—even when prayed individually, roots us in community.
🛤️
What Scripture has been a lamp unto your feet?
For me, 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 has been my filter, reminder, calling, and encouragement over the past five years — I am just starting to grasp it recently.
What key verse keeps you on track these days?
📖
For me, 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 has been my filter, reminder, calling, and encouragement over the past five years — I am just starting to grasp it recently.
What key verse keeps you on track these days?
📖
October 16, 2025 at 11:20 AM
What Scripture has been a lamp unto your feet?
For me, 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 has been my filter, reminder, calling, and encouragement over the past five years — I am just starting to grasp it recently.
What key verse keeps you on track these days?
📖
For me, 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 has been my filter, reminder, calling, and encouragement over the past five years — I am just starting to grasp it recently.
What key verse keeps you on track these days?
📖
“In our relationship with God especially, we are all infants, hitchhikers waiting for grace, beggars in need of a handout. To be human is to be in need. To pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," is to recognize our absolute dependency and existential poverty before God.”
—Albert Haase, O.F.M.
—Albert Haase, O.F.M.
October 16, 2025 at 12:09 AM
“In our relationship with God especially, we are all infants, hitchhikers waiting for grace, beggars in need of a handout. To be human is to be in need. To pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," is to recognize our absolute dependency and existential poverty before God.”
—Albert Haase, O.F.M.
—Albert Haase, O.F.M.
My favorite Bible translations as of late:
- NET
- NIV
- NASB
- GW
- NRSV/NRSVUE
- NTFE
What are yours and why?
- NET
- NIV
- NASB
- GW
- NRSV/NRSVUE
- NTFE
What are yours and why?
October 15, 2025 at 8:15 PM
My favorite Bible translations as of late:
- NET
- NIV
- NASB
- GW
- NRSV/NRSVUE
- NTFE
What are yours and why?
- NET
- NIV
- NASB
- GW
- NRSV/NRSVUE
- NTFE
What are yours and why?
This is my story, and I’m sticking to it—wandering, grace, and finding home in unexpected places.
🛣️ The Sojourn Series is live:
1️⃣ Becoming a Spiritual Pilgrim
2️⃣ Becoming Vineyard
3️⃣ Becoming Anabaptist
...more to come.
Blogs on @patheos.com!
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
🛣️ The Sojourn Series is live:
1️⃣ Becoming a Spiritual Pilgrim
2️⃣ Becoming Vineyard
3️⃣ Becoming Anabaptist
...more to come.
Blogs on @patheos.com!
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
October 15, 2025 at 4:19 AM
This is my story, and I’m sticking to it—wandering, grace, and finding home in unexpected places.
🛣️ The Sojourn Series is live:
1️⃣ Becoming a Spiritual Pilgrim
2️⃣ Becoming Vineyard
3️⃣ Becoming Anabaptist
...more to come.
Blogs on @patheos.com!
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
🛣️ The Sojourn Series is live:
1️⃣ Becoming a Spiritual Pilgrim
2️⃣ Becoming Vineyard
3️⃣ Becoming Anabaptist
...more to come.
Blogs on @patheos.com!
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
“Once you recognize that church was never meant to be a spectator event, you’ll never be satisfied with less.”
A blog post on @patheos.com.
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
A blog post on @patheos.com.
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
A Dangerous Reminder: Synagogues & The Shape Of Shared Faith
Exploring a first-century synagogue reminds us that early worship was participatory, communal, and shaped by shared faith in Christ.
www.patheos.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:05 AM
“Once you recognize that church was never meant to be a spectator event, you’ll never be satisfied with less.”
A blog post on @patheos.com.
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
A blog post on @patheos.com.
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
Pray by Neil Cole, is a call to live dangerously by living prayerfully.
jeffmclain.com/book-review-...
jeffmclain.com/book-review-...
Book Review: Pray by Neil Cole - Jeff McLain
Prayer is dangerous, transformative, and essential. In Pray, Neil Cole calls us to leave the harbor and live a life drenched in prayer.
jeffmclain.com
September 18, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Pray by Neil Cole, is a call to live dangerously by living prayerfully.
jeffmclain.com/book-review-...
jeffmclain.com/book-review-...
“All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”
― Blaise Pascal, Pensées
#BePresent #SayNo #SitQuietly #LeadAQuietLife
― Blaise Pascal, Pensées
#BePresent #SayNo #SitQuietly #LeadAQuietLife
September 17, 2025 at 2:23 PM
“All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”
― Blaise Pascal, Pensées
#BePresent #SayNo #SitQuietly #LeadAQuietLife
― Blaise Pascal, Pensées
#BePresent #SayNo #SitQuietly #LeadAQuietLife
I’ve been reworking my Rule of Life and reflecting on what it means to pursue a quieter, more intentional way with Jesus. Here are 5 books that have deeply shaped me along the way.
A Blog Post on @patheos.com.
#RuleofLife #NowReading #JesusisLord
A Blog Post on @patheos.com.
#RuleofLife #NowReading #JesusisLord
5 Books That Shaped My Rule Of Life And Quiet Life Pursuit
Discover 5 books that shaped my Rule of Life and quiet life pursuit, offering rhythms, habits, and spiritual practices for faithful living.
www.patheos.com
September 16, 2025 at 2:07 AM
I’ve been reworking my Rule of Life and reflecting on what it means to pursue a quieter, more intentional way with Jesus. Here are 5 books that have deeply shaped me along the way.
A Blog Post on @patheos.com.
#RuleofLife #NowReading #JesusisLord
A Blog Post on @patheos.com.
#RuleofLife #NowReading #JesusisLord
In my latest blog, I reflect on why “Just Say No” is more than a slogan—it’s a spiritual discipline we desperately need in our noisy world.
A Blog Post on @patheos.com.
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
A Blog Post on @patheos.com.
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
Just Say No: Resisting Busyness And Undisciplined Living
From 80s slogans to biblical wisdom, “just say no” reminds us to resist busyness, distractions, and embrace God’s gifts with discipline.
www.patheos.com
September 12, 2025 at 6:20 PM
In my latest blog, I reflect on why “Just Say No” is more than a slogan—it’s a spiritual discipline we desperately need in our noisy world.
A Blog Post on @patheos.com.
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
A Blog Post on @patheos.com.
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
The increasing violence in our country over the past few weeks has been alarming.
Is there a more suitable way to pray than to echo Jesus' words, "Deliver us from evil"?
Is there a more suitable way to pray than to echo Jesus' words, "Deliver us from evil"?
September 10, 2025 at 9:18 PM
The increasing violence in our country over the past few weeks has been alarming.
Is there a more suitable way to pray than to echo Jesus' words, "Deliver us from evil"?
Is there a more suitable way to pray than to echo Jesus' words, "Deliver us from evil"?
Our busyness shows that we follow a false gospel.
We are swept up into a sea of busyness for progress.
A blog post on @patheos.com.
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
We are swept up into a sea of busyness for progress.
A blog post on @patheos.com.
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
Beaten By The False Gospel Of Busyness
Busyness promises progress but delivers emptiness. Discover why Scripture calls us to resist the false gospel of busyness.
www.patheos.com
September 8, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Our busyness shows that we follow a false gospel.
We are swept up into a sea of busyness for progress.
A blog post on @patheos.com.
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
We are swept up into a sea of busyness for progress.
A blog post on @patheos.com.
www.patheos.com/blogs/leadaq...
Starting in January 2026, children at River Corner Church will begin a 2-year journey through The Biggest Story—seeing how all Scripture points to Jesus.
You are invited!
You are invited!
The Biggest Story: A New Journey for Our Kids
Join River Corner Church kids on a 2-year adventure through The Biggest Story, discovering how all of Scripture points to Jesus.
jeffmclain.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Starting in January 2026, children at River Corner Church will begin a 2-year journey through The Biggest Story—seeing how all Scripture points to Jesus.
You are invited!
You are invited!