This is often one of the most difficult statements for a pastor to declare.
Perhaps he is . . .
Pastor, does this describe you?
Continue reading “I Need Help”Monday’s Ministry Encouragement: Written to encourage you, my friend in ministry, to be refreshed and renewed as we live for Christ and look toward the Bema.
“57% of pastors say their spiritual formation takes a back seat.” (Standing Stone Ministry)
Pastor friend, how do you respond to that statement?
After giving out the Word yesterday and ministering to the needs of many last week, how are you personally growing in Christ? How is Christ being “formed in you”?
My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you (Galatians 4:19).
At the point of salvation, Christ comes to dwell in the believer (John 14:20; 17:23; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27). Christ is “formed in us” as the Holy Spirit, as Ron Lynch says, “knocks out of us what doesn’t look like Christ.” This is an ongoing process of daily surrender and learning Christ. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18). But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
Continue reading “Front or Back Seat?”
As we sang, my mind went to High Rocks!
High Rocks is located 2.0 miles south of Spivey Gap on the Appalachian Trail near Burnsville, NC. AllTrails app says it well, “Take a series of switchbacks leading through a steep section of trail up to the summit of High Rocks. While the beginning may be challenging, the views from the top of High Rocks are well worth the effort.”
Continue reading “It’s Well Worth the Effort!”Monday’s Ministry Encouragement: Written to encourage you, my friend in ministry, to be refreshed and renewed as we live for Christ and look toward the Bema.
“Well, what’s the use in trying to love this congregation! They’ll probably just turn on me.”
“I’m not going to open myself up being hurt again.”
“I knew that’s how they would respond!”
All of these and more are statements from a heart that has grown cynical in the ministry.
To be cynical is to be “contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives; based on or reflecting a belief that human conduct is motivated primarily by self-interest” (Merriam-Webster).
“Cynicism among Christians appears as a collection of negative attitudes and expectations. Those attitudes may be directed toward ourselves or others, the church, conversions, gospel progress, growth in sanctification, and even toward God himself.” (Peter Adams)
Cynicism in ministry is dangerous ground.
Do any or all of the above describe you, pastor/missionary friend?
Continue reading “Overcoming Cynicism In Ministry”Wednesday WOW is written to remind us, especially pastors, that our transcendent, omnipotent, loving, sovereign God is working today in our lives in thousands of ways. The WOW is God, not the size of the work! How have you seen Him at work in your life today?
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalm 34:8)
The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. (Proverbs 10:22).
These two passages describe this past weekend of travel and ministry in Maryland. We saw God at work in so many places and in so many ways! We tasted the goodness of God over and over again, and we came home “rich,” and there was “no sorrow with it!”
Continue reading “Wednesday WOW!!”Monday’s Ministry Encouragement: Written to encourage you, my friend in ministry, to be refreshed and renewed as we live for Christ and look toward the Bema.
So sad! I read again of another pastor quitting the ministry.
Pastor friend, are you tempted to do the same? Has that urge become more frequent in recent days or weeks? Do you have long hours, days or weeks of feeling depleted, down, discouraged, distraught and disappointed? Are you living in a land of unbelief?
Simply put and perhaps hard for you to swallow, but may I say, “Don’t Quit!!!” This not the answer.
1. Run to the cross! Get on your knees and open your Bible to Matthew 26-27. Audibly and slowly read each line; fix your gaze on Jesus as He makes His way to the cross. Linger there. Once you do, then meditate on Hebrews 12:1-3 and the following passages that reveal to us what Jesus did for you as your substitute—John 10:11, 15, 17-18; 15:13; Romans 5:8; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:2; 1 Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 9:12.
Continue reading “Don’t Quit!!!”Wednesday WOW is written to remind us, especially pastors, that our transcendent, omnipotent, loving, sovereign God is working today in our lives in thousands of ways. The WOW is God, not the size of the work! How have you seen Him at work in your life today?
Discipleship is hard and sometimes messy, but oh, the joys of watching believers grow and change in Christ!
Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment (1 Peter 2:2 NLT). Recently I saw this passage fulfilled as I met with the man I have the privilege of discipling. There he sat across from me in my living room, coffee cup in hand, often scooting to the edge of his seat waiting for an answer to a life question or to share a blessing. At other times, he would recline intently listening to biblical instruction, soaking it all in! Wow!!
Continue reading “Wednesday WOW!!”Monday’s Ministry Encouragement: Written to encourage you, my friend in ministry, to be refreshed and renewed as we live for Christ and look toward the Bema.
What is a pastor’s greatest need?
A pastor’s greatest need and most beneficial blessing is . . . prayer!
Pastor, is the quiet place, alone with your Heavenly Father, the dearest place on earth to you?
Is prayer an activity to you or is it your life? In other words, do you have a prayer life or a life prayer?
Since one of the most telling marks of Jesus’ life and ministry on earth was prayer, so must it be for us, His ministers. Jesus prayed alone, all night, with others, on the mountain, in agony, with his disciples, at the tomb of Lazarus, on the cross, etc.
Continue reading “A Pastor’s Greatest Need”“God is always at work around you . . . inviting you to join Him in His work” (Henry Blackaby).
Wednesday WOW is written to remind us, especially pastors, that our transcendent, omnipotent, loving, sovereign God is working today in our lives in thousands of ways. The WOW is God, not the size of the work! How have you seen Him at work in your life today?
Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Denise and I had the grace privilege of traveling to California for ministry, and then adding a couple of days of sight-seeing! Wow!
Continue reading “Wednesday WOW!”Monday’s Ministry Encouragement: Written to encourage you, my friend in ministry, to be refreshed and renewed as we live for Christ and look toward the Bema.
“What do you do for fun?”
This question was posed to me by Sam Brock while riding in his 1946 Jeep Willys on a tour of Ironwood Camp, Newberry Springs, CA.
Pastor friend, may I ask you the same question . . . what do you do for fun?
Whether you are enjoying days of sunshine or stormy weather in ministry, you need to have a release, a time for fun! You need it, your wife needs it, your family needs it, your church family needs it!
Continue reading “Pastors Have Fun???? YES!!!!”
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