Category: Uncategorized

What’s Your Viewpoint In Ministry Conflict?

by Dale, posted in Ministry, Ministry Counseling, Prayer, Uncategorized

Mondays are usually a day of reflection for pastors as we rehearse the many conversations from Sunday, the “things I said” and “the things I wish I had said” in the message, that empty pew that once was a faithful church member, the forgotten prayer request, that miscommunication, feeling like a failure, the church conflict that continues on, etc.

At times like these, you need encouragement to keep on keeping on. If you haven’t already, read the previous posts and today ponder #4.

1. You will make it.

2.  Bask in the presence of God

3.  You are not alone.

4. Let it drive you to your knees.

Difficult times in ministry is the clarion call for you to have a correct view of your God. Trouble can quickly lead you to be despairing, fearful, hurt, doubting, and wanting to flee. Hard times can tempt you to become idolatrous as you fix your heart on the people, circumstances, misunderstandings, conflicts, etc.

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Sharing In Suffering

by Dale, posted in Ministry, Ministry Counseling, Pastoring, Uncategorized

When trouble comes in ministry, and it will, you will feel all alone, even in the midst of many people as well as in the quietness of your study. In those moments, hours, days, will you consider the previous two posts and key in on today’s word of encouragement?

1. You will make it.

2.  Bask in the presence of God

3. You are not alone.

For all of us whom God has privileged to serve in His ministry, we all have experienced difficult days, are in a hard time, or will be in the future. 

Consider the company you keep:

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A VERY Different Monday

by Dale, posted in Discipleship, Ministry, Pastoring, Preaching, Uncategorized

This is a Monday that I have not experienced in 40 years. Except for a brief few months, God has enabled me to be a lead pastor shepherding His flock in two states, Tennessee and Indiana.

First of all, let me say that I am NOT retiring, just changing roles at Boones Creek Bible Church and moving into a new ministry that Denise and I have had on our hearts for a long time. 

Today, Andrew Isbell is the lead pastor, and I’m the associate pastor. Also, one of the “D’s” in D & D Ministries.

How did it happen?

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Take It All In When Ministry is Hard

by Dale, posted in Ministry, Ministry Counseling, Pastoring, Uncategorized

Yes, there are times when ministry is difficult, perplexing, overwhelming, stressful, load-bearing, harsh, and/or near-to-the-breaking-point! May I encourage you?

1. You will make it.

2. Bask in the presence of God.

To bask in something is to “take it all in, to receive its warmth, or bathe in its goodness” (Oxford Languages). Liza Jane, the cat that inhabited our home for many years, knew what it was to bask in the sunshine. Being an indoor cat, she often would begin her day in the east bedroom of our home curled up “receiving the warmth” of the sun. By afternoon, she was taking her 16th nap stretched out in the southwest bedroom “bathing in the goodness” of the sun.

Difficult times in ministry, if we permit it, can make us cold and bitter to the Lord, our wife, our children, our friends, and especially toward the congregation. Before hard times come, and they will, we should be know well what it means to bask in the presence of God, the abiding life in Christ (John 15:1-11).

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Truths To Encourage When Ministry Is Hard

by Dale, posted in D & D Ministries, Ministry, Ministry Counseling, Pastoring, Uncategorized

Even though a new year has begun and resolutions have been made, you are either in a hard season of ministry, coming out of one, or on the verge of going into one. Truth is, ministry at times is hard, painful, difficult, and wearisome. Need some words of encouragement?

1. You will make it. 

Yes, there are times when you wonder if you can even take the next step, preach another sermon, pray, sing, parent, lead, work, etc. You are so tempted to quit; turn in your resignation; head into the pit of despondency. Look over your shoulder. By the mercy, goodness and grace of God you have come this far.

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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?

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Wednesday Wow: She’s Beautiful!

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Church, Grace, Jesus Christ, Pastoring, Praise & Worship, Uncategorized, Worship

I noticed her beauty as soon as I walked through the doors. There she was in her attractive, genuine regalia. Oh, there are times she doesn’t look so good, but overall, she is and was absolutely radiant! And this was one of those many times!

Who?

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Joy, Even In Old Age!

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Hope, Jesus Christ, Joy, Uncategorized

Yesterday was another typical ministry day in the life of a pastor. It was a WOW!!!!

After spending half of the afternoon meeting Mike and taking a tour of a relatively new ministry nestled in the mountains bordering the Cherokee National Forest, Back 2 Basics Adventures, it was time to make my way back home. There were two visits with church members that I desired to make.

Pulling off to the side of the country road, I said, “Lord, where should I go?” Once again, as always, what He initiates He also guides.

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Wednesday WOW!!

by Dale, posted in D & D Ministries, Joy, Ministry, Praise & Worship, Salvation, Uncategorized

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!”

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