Pastor, are you enjoying the ministry?
Having been a senior pastor for 40 years, I understand the hard, difficult side of local church ministry. Nevertheless, may I ask again, do you enjoy ministry?
Perhaps today or in recent weeks or even months, you would have to honestly say, “I am not joyful in the ministry.”
Why not?
Continue reading “Joy in Ministry”
What does a weekend journey with D & D look like? You have the opportunity to live out, on the spot, the subject of your messages. In this case, My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect (maturing) work, that you may be perfect (mature) and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4).
Come along with us as I recap last weekend’s travel journeys.
Continue reading “A Weekend On The Road With D&D”
Pastor, what does your church need?
Ask any local church pastor, and you will hear, “Our church needs ____________________.” There are many words that could fill that blank, and every pastor really believes he knows what it is from revival, another building, two AM services, another staff member, etc.
After 40 years of being a senior pastor and now in an associate role, I have come to this conclusion . . . I don’t know what our church needs nor do I know what your church needs. Only my omniscient Heavenly Father and the Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ knows what Boones Creek Bible Church needs. My limited, short-sighted, not able to discern the hearts of the people knowledge is totally incapable of discerning what any church needs.
Continue reading “What the Church Needs”
Dads, your daughters need you. Here are some practical ways to fulfill your important role as a father to the girls in your home.
Continue reading “Dads, your Daughters Need You”
Your marriage can be greatly refreshed and strengthened when you begin this daily practice. It will help you personally and as a couple. It will give you direction for the day to day choices and guide you in the big picture decisions.
What is it?
Continue reading “The Daily Practice That Will Refresh and Strengthen Your Marriage”
Oh my! Easter dinner!! What’s not to like?
The table is beautifully set. Everyone has their favorites, their “must haves.”
It’s time to eat! My wife has prepared Katie Brown chicken, almond/lime green beans, mashed potatoes, honey drizzled rolls, angel eggs, strawberry avocado salad, and then . . . coconut cake with lemon filling for dessert!!! Wow! Oh so good!!!
The best approval rating came from our grandsons who cleaned their plates!!
Recently I answered the question, “What is the best advice you ever received in life?” There are many things that came to my mind, but one that stands out is a piece of advice that I heard many times from a mentor 40 years my senior.
Continue reading “This Is The Best Advice I Have Received”
“20% of church members do 80% of the work.”
And, I would say that 100% of pastors have made that statement. 🙂
We as pastors, in well-meaning fashion, are always trying to motivate the members to total commitment to the ministries of the local church.
Sounds all too familiar doesn’t it?
I know that in my 40 years as a senior pastor, I’ve been guilty of begging people into service. Here’s something I’ve learned that I hope will be helpful to you in your ministry.
Continue reading “A New Way To Increase Your Volunteer Base”
“When do you take a day off?”
“I try to take Mondays off . . . whenever I can.”
Interpretation: I’m too busy with ministry to take a day off.
Pastor, have you ever said anything like that? If so, here’s a warning: you are too busy.
Continue reading “For The Pastor Who Is Too Busy To Take A Day Off”
“Friendship … is born at the moment when one man says to another “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .” ― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
There are many, many blessings and joys of being in the ministry, but a common characteristics of being a pastor is loneliness. But does it have to be this way?
Loneliness in ministry can be attributed to . . .
Just as loneliness is a common characteristic among those in ministry, I have found a common parallel . . . the lack of pastors intentionally reaching out to other pastors with the goal of developing different levels of friendships.
Continue reading “Pastor, You Need Friends!”
“Everything! I have many things for which I need prayer! My husband has been diagnosed with MS, two of my children have lupus, and my job.”
This was the response from our server at a Mexican restaurant recently when we ask if we could pray for her when we thanked the Lord for our meal.
People everywhere are hurting, needy, struggling, fearful, anxious, lonely, and despondent just like this server who was discouraged about life and having to work so hard for her family.
The greatest crisis for everyone without a personal relationship with God through Christ alone (John 14:6) is their inability to save themselves from an eternity in hell.
Last week, while watching the Barna Group webcast, 2024 The State of Pastors Summit, one set of statistics particularly grabbed my attention.
The mandate for the local church and its pastors in this age remains: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20). We are continuing the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:1-11), the One Who came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).
Pastor, . . .
Pastor, how about inviting another brother in Christ to lunch. Read the Scriptures or a book together. Then, when the server comes along, ask them how you can pray for them. This is discipleship that Jesus spoke about in the Great Commission.
Perhaps make a coffee shop your place to prepare your message for Sunday. (Just a gentle reminder, obedience has no excuses.)
One of the best ways to get the focus off yourself and perhaps your deep dive into discouragement is to go be a blessing to someone else. Christ that dwells in you endured great contradiction/hostility/insults from others (Hebrews 12:3). He is your life, your strength, your Shepherd. You are crucified (Galatians 2:20), so go live in and through Him!
Pastor, there’s a server and millions of others out there that need the gospel; that need you to just care for them. As the Lord continues to seek and to save, you follow His initiative as He lives His life out of you.
Enjoy the journey! As He leads, you follow!
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