The Pastor's Desk (Episode 40)

The pastor's desk above belongs to my friend, Major Doug McGuire, who serves with his wife as corps officer/pastor of The Salvation Army in East Liverpool, Ohio (it's a real place, honest!).

His wife vows that there was no tidying involved. She says it's always this neat. She has also never offered to send a photo of her desk.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 39)

The pastor's desk above is one of two desks used by my friend, Father Austin Fleming, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Concord, Massachusetts. He also blogs at "A Concord Pastor Comments."

He explains this desk: "I have a really nice upstairs pastor's office which is neat and orderly (mostly because I so seldom use it!). I prefer this desk right by the front door of our parish center. Seated here, I get to see/greet/chat with all who come and go during the course of the day. To my left is my secretary to whom I can easily refer folks who walk in and mistake me for the receptionist. Across from my cluttered desk is a small library room with comfortable chairs in which I can meet with individuals and couples for private conversations. It's my workbench--not tidied up for the photo but it's often a lot more cluttered than it was today."

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 38)

The pastor's desk pictured above is that of one of my oldest and best friends, the Very Reverend Bill Riley, pastor of Russells Point Church of God in Russells Point, Ohio (and for all you punctuation nerds, there is NO apostrophe in Russells Point. Go ahead, look it up. You know you want to).

He also very kindly sent along the photo below, to show that he uses only the very finest study materials. His ministry is obviously of the highest quality.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 37)

Just over a year ago, President Obama met Pope Francis in the pope's office. They sat across the pope's desk from each other. So I thought I'd add one more image (at this link) to the Desperate Pastor's ongoing "The Pastor's Desk" series.

My apologies to all the other pastors who sent in photos of them meeting with President Obama at their desk. I couldn't include them all.

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 36)

The pastor's desk pictured above is that of Rob Elliott, who will soon complete a successful ministry as senior pastor at Milford Bible Church in Connecticut before taking on new responsibilities as senior pastor at Calvary Bible Church in Nassau, Bahamas. Some guys get all the plum jobs.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a single photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 35)

The pastor's desk pictured above is that of Cornell Jordan of Cornell Jordan Ministries and Executive Pastor for Student Ministries and Missions at Dayspring Church in Bowling Green, Ohio. He is also a dear friend and a traveling evangelist who spreads the Gospel to students and adults around the world.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a single photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 34)

The pastor's desk pictured above is that of Captain Bryan DeMichael, who serves with his wife as corps officer (pastor) at The Salvation Army in Lancaster, Ohio. The Lancaster Corps will always have a special place in my heart, as it was my first appointment as a Salvation Army officer. I won't say when. But it was in a different century, just so's ya know.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a single photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 33)

Today's episode of "The Pastor's Desk" here on the Desperate Pastor blog is that of Major Debbie Stacy, who along with her husband, Major Jeff, serves as corps officer (pastor) at The Salvation Army in Lima, Ohio.

I've looked and looked, but still can't see any Bob Hostetler books on or around that desk. I don't understand.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a single photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 32)

Today's episode of "The Pastor's Desk" is that of Shane Schlesman, Family Life Pastor (over marriage, kids, youth, leadership development) at West End Assembly of God in Richmond, VA.

Shane reportedly doesn't like sitting at a desk, so he got rid of it for a living room feel in his office. He counsels, studies, and leads from this office arrangement.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 31)

The latest episode in the recurring feature, "The Pastor's Desk," here on the Desperate Pastor blog is that of Rev. Karen Montgomery, lead pastor at the North Lewisburg United Methodist Church, North Lewisburg, Ohio. I knew her when she was just a wee pup, even before she served on the staff of the Oxford United Methodist Church in Oxford, Ohio.

She clearly subscribes to the "clean desk, clean mind" school of thought. Wesley would be proud.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a single photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 30)

I spoke recently at Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference at Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain, North Carolina (near Asheville). There I met fellow pastor, Jeff Andler of (wait for it) Jeff Andler Ministries.

He sent me these photos of his desk, which is a cabinet in his home. In fact, he offered two photos: one of the desk when it is closed (presumably when he puts away his pastor badge) and the other, obviously, of the desk when it is open.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a single photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 29)

The desk above belongs to my friend, Rev. Darryl Jackson, pastor of First Baptist Church at 6701 Ringwood Road in Oxford, Ohio. Obviously, he subscribes to the "clean desk, clean mind" school of thought. Either that or he cheated.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a single photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 28)

The pastor's desk above is that of Dustin LeMaster, Director of Youth & After-School Ministries at Millersburg United Methodist Church in (you guessed it) Millersburg, Ohio (in Holmes County, the epicenter of Amish Country).

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a single photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 27)

The pastor's desk below is that of my nephew, Father David Hostetler, LTJG, CHC, USN Chaplain, 5th Combat Logistics Battalion, whose desk has been featured on this blog before (here). But THAT was his desk at Camp Pendleton in California; THIS is a photo of his desk at the chapel on Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, where he has served in recent weeks. You can see his flak jacket and kevlar helmet behind the network hub, and the "Diet Coke" on his can is written in Pashti.

All pastors are on "active duty," of course. But some may be more active than others.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a single photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 26)

The pastor's desk pictured below belongs to Ray Hollenbach, a "former-pastor-turned-writer." That's the official title. His unofficial title is "Vagrant."

Ray is also an author (his book, The Impossible Mentor: Finding Courage to Follow Jesus, has been reviewed on the Desperate Pastor, here), blogger, and consultant.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a single photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 25)

The photo above belongs to Dr. Dean Taylor, senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Simpsonville, South Carolina. It is located in the lower level of the church's administration building. He says, "I spend most Tuesday-Friday mornings here, studying the Word and preparing messages and Bible studies. I do some planning and audio recording here as well...When I turned this room into my study, someone started calling it The Batcave, and it stuck." To see more, visit this post on his "Speaking of God" blog.

Thanks to  my friend, editor and author Nancy Lohr, for the tip.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a single photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 24)

The pastor's desk pictured below belongs to Kevin Levellie, pastor of Nevins Christian Church in Paris, Illinois.

His wife, my friend and fellow author Jeanette Levellie (author of Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top) supplied the photo, noting that Kevin's photo of Elvis is much larger than the photo of Kevin and his wife. Hmmmm. Not judging. Just saying, hmmmm.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a single photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 23)

The pastor's desk pictured above belongs to Captain Scott Strissel, the corps officer (pastor) of The Salvation Army Brainerd Lakes Corps in Brainerd, Minnesota (near St. Cloud). He said he didn't clean it up for the picture. No kidding, Scott. No kidding.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a single photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 22)

The pastor's desk pictured above is that of Father David Hostetler, LTJG, CHC, USN Chaplain, 5th Combat Logistics Battalion. He said he was getting ready to clean his desk up a bit when he remembered the invitation to participate in this feature, and snapped the photo. Yeah, okay. We'll go with that story.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a single photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 21)

The pastor's desk pictured above is the desk of Captain Tim Sheehan, The Salvation Army's corps commanding officer in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a single photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)