Category: Monday Ministry Encouragement

The Dreaded MMBs

by Dale, posted in Ministry, Monday Ministry Encouragement, Pastoring, Uncategorized

Pastor, do you experience a case of MMBs on Mondays?

“What are MMBs you ask? According to an unknown source, MMBs is “Monday Morning Ministry Blues.” This speaks of the mental battles, feelings of regret and failure, emotional exhaustion, and discouragement that can come to a pastor on Monday after Sunday.

How can you overcome the MMBs? Here’s a few thoughts.

  1. Begin your Monday by giving every “win” and every “loss” from Sunday to God. Now, reality is, we do not know all the wins and losses on Sunday because we are not omniscient, therefore our win/loss meter is faulty at best. No matter, cast it all at Jesus’ feet. He’s the Head of the Church. By the way, success is not “buildings, bodies, and bucks,” as one of my mentors, Jim Binney” noted. Success is “obedience to the revealed, known will of God found in His Word” (John Hunter).
  2. Get some rest. You gave your all during the week getting ready for Sunday. Then you expended much spiritual, physical, and mental energy in greeting people, listening to needs, preaching the Word, surviving multiple expectations, leading meetings, etc.The plane landed Sunday night and is in the hanger for clean up and repairs. Warren Wiersbe said it well, “Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is rest.” Pastor, let your body and mind rest. You were not created to have at it seven days a week, 24 hours a day. May I encourage you, if you truly can, to take the whole day off, not just half.
  3. Do not mask the MMBs by putting on a happy ministry face. If you are struggling, talk to your wife. Share your heart with her. Phone a friend or meet for coffee so he can listen to you, speak the truth in love to your heart, help you with your blind spots and then have prayer with you. It’s okay. Blessing from the hand of God often comes through failure and struggles.

All of us pastors know about the MMBs in some form or fashion. Soak your soul in Romans 8:28-39, and look forward to Tuesday!

Seven Considerations for Contentment in Ministry

by Dale, posted in Ministry, Monday Ministry Encouragement, Pastoring

Pastor friend, what would it take for you to be really happy and satisfied where you currently serve?

If you had it, would you still be happy and satisfied in a few days ? Next week? Next month? In a year?

For the most part, we pastors are never satisfied. Before I go any further, I understand the desire to see more souls saved and discipled for the glory of God. What I’m talking about is a lack of contentment in ministry that is more centered on circumstances, goals, etc. Such as . . .

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I Need Help

by Dale, posted in Ministry, Monday Ministry Encouragement, Pastoring, Uncategorized

This is often one of the most difficult statements for a pastor to declare.

Perhaps he is . . .

  • Feeling overrun with responsibilities.
  • Navigating through a personal trial.
  • Sensing the weight of underachievement.
  • Under financial strain.
  • In bondage to unconfessed sin.
  • Bi-vocational and trying to do both well.
  • Struggling through an unhealthy marriage.
  • Overwhelmed by a wayward child scenario.
  • Lonely in the ministry.

Pastor, does this describe you?

Continue reading “I Need Help” →

Front or Back Seat?

by Dale, posted in Ministry, Monday Ministry Encouragement, Pastoring, Sanctification

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?” →

It’s Well Worth the Effort!

by Dale, posted in God's Creation, Hiking, Ministry, Monday Ministry Encouragement, Pastoring

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!” →

Overcoming Cynicism In Ministry

by Dale, posted in Ministry, Monday Ministry Encouragement, Pastoring

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.

  • A cynical pastor has lost touch with the reality of life in Christ.
  • A cynical pastor avoids being with people; is withdrawn.
  • A cynical pastor has forgotten the sovereignty of God and the love of God.
  • A cynical pastor has been consumed with his hurts.
  • A cynical pastor thinks God has forsaken him.
  • A cynical pastor’s time in the Word has become mundane and mechanical.
  • A cynical pastor has a prayer life rather than a life of prayer.

Do any or all of the above describe you, pastor/missionary friend?

Continue reading “Overcoming Cynicism In Ministry” →

Don’t Quit!!!

by Dale, posted in Ministry, Monday Ministry Encouragement, Pastoring

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.

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A Pastor’s Greatest Need

by Dale, posted in Ministry, Monday Ministry Encouragement, Pastoring, Prayer, Uncategorized

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.

Ironwood Camp, Newberry Springs, CA

What is a pastor’s greatest need?

  • A new, cutting-edge podcast?
  • The latest book by his favorite author?
  • An increase in salary?
  • More in attendance on Sunday morning?
  • A break, as in, “I just can’t seem to catch a break!”

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” →

Pastors Have Fun???? YES!!!!

by Dale, posted in Ministry, Monday Ministry Encouragement, Pastoring, Uncategorized

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!!!!” →

A Healthy Weekend

by Dale, posted in Christian Camping, Monday Ministry Encouragement, Pastoring, Uncategorized

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.

As we gathered around a firepit sharing how God had worked in our lives during the weekend Couples’ Conference at The Wilds, I was reminded again why these events are so important to the health of a local church.

1. The continual spiritual growth of the flock.

Listening to each one transparently share how the Word had worked in their lives, I thought, “Not only does this affect their personal growth in Christ, but it will have an edifying influence upon the marriages and families in our church!”

2. The bonding of believers’ hearts with one another.

This group was made up of couples who have been a part of this local flock from two to fifteen plus years. They knew each other, but now they know one another on a deeper level that will lead to greater discipleship, to passionate prayer, to mutual accountability, and a maturing, genuine love.

3. The blessing of sharing in the safe church.

Saturday night, the following lyrics griped my heart as it was ministered in song:

Jesus, Shepherd, loving Shepherd, sent

from heaven to earth—

You have sought us, found and brought

us safely into Your Church.

The world talks a lot about safe places. The local church should be the safest place on earth as the body of Christ gathers in Christ to live out the “one another’s.” I watched this happen in our group as they shared their testimonies in a segment of safety in Christ.

Pastor friend, the health of the flock you shepherd will be greatly enhanced as you spend time with them and they with one another, especially in camp settings like The Wilds. As you plan for 2024 events, build into the church calendar these kind of body growth times that will mature the flock!