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”
In a recent post, I joyfully announced the upcoming transition of ministry after serving as lead pastor for 24 years at Boones Creek Bible Church. Perhaps I did not communicate effectively, so for clarity sake, may I say, retirement is not a part of this transition.
Denise and I will continue to serve at BCBC, but my role will change to associate pastor. This means that I’ll continue to serve by teaching an elective, biblical counselling, leading a small group, visitation, leading the senior’s ministry, preach when needed, etc.
This change allows Denise and me to pursue a passion that has stirred in my heart for a long time and that is ministering to pastors and their wives. I don’t need to look at statistics to know that pastors and their wives need great encouragement. All I need to do is look back over my 40 years of full-time ministry as well as growing up in a pastor’s home to be assured of this huge need. Add to that the number of pastors and wives we have already counseled as well as hearing of needs along the way, we are so drawn to this ministry of refreshment.
Denise and I are available to serve the local church in other capacities as well. Check out the speaking page on my blog for helpful information. Will you prayerfully consider letting us have the rich blessing of coming alongside you and the ministry where you serve to be a refuge and refreshment by the grace of God?
We’re refiring, not retiring!
With a heart to encourage pastors, this has been a frequent inquiry.
May I share a recent response in hopes of encouraging you, too?
While engaged in a morning conversation with a pastor of over 40 years experience, I asked, “What keeps you encouraged in ministry?” His reply took him back to his early days. He said, “I had an old pastor say to me, ‘If I had to do it over again, I would spend the first hours of the morning in prayer and Bible study.’ Being young and cocky I bypassed his exhortation and set out to push programs in ministry; to get the job done my way.” With tears now coursing down his cheeks, he said, “In the past five years, God has broken me and made me become a man of intercessory prayer.”
Pastor, there is no greater place to be encouraged in ministry than at the feet of Jesus! John 15:4-5 records the blessed, encouraging, directive words of Christ as He spoke to His disciples in the Upper Room, and now to us, Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Psalm 73 depicts Asaph wrestling over the apparent prosperity of the wicked in this life versus the sorrows of the righteous. His viewpoint changed when he went into the sanctuary of God (73:17). Spurgeon says it so well in his Treasury of David commentary . . . “His mind entered the eternity where God dwells as in a holy place, he left the things of sense for the things invisible, his heart gazed within the veil, he stood where the thrice holy God stands. Thus he shifted his point of view, and apparent disorder resolved itself into harmony.”
Where is your “sanctuary”? Yes, we are indwelt now by the Trinity (John 14) in the inner man so we do not go to the temple to meet with God, but where is that place to which you resort to cry out to God . . . to share your burdens, your anguish, your sorrows, your discouragements, your need of abiding in the Vine? Where’s that quiet place that in the midst of your darkness you run to your God whose ear is open to your cry (Psalm 34:15)?
Asaph ends Psalm 73 with these words, But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works (73:28).
Pastor friend, after a long day serving on Sunday, the Lord is waiting to meet you in the sanctuary to encourage your heart, to hear your burdens, and to receive your praise.
“If I had to do it over again, I would spend the first hours of the morning in prayer . . . .”
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.
Yesterday was a glorious day as we celebrated in many ways the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ! Preparation for the day came with much expectation, exerted energy, intense planning and the involvement of many people.
Continue reading “Celebrate Today!”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.
How easy it is start doing things out of sheer routine! Normally, when we start a ministry, we are full of vision, enthusiasm, and motivation. We serve God thankfully for the wonderful privilege He has given us.
Continue reading “Serving with Heart”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.
The Lord seems to send him along at a most needful time.
Twenty years ago, he drove all the way to Atlanta, Georgia, to the hospice house to minister to us when my dad was dying with cancer.
Here and there, he sends an online note of encouragement that always comes at the right time.
Continue reading “Monday Ministry Encouragement”
Feeling like you failed in preaching yesterday?
What passage of Scripture did you preach?
Friend, you and I have never delivered a flawless sermon nor will we ever.
Continue reading “Monday Ministry Encouragement”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.
You are worn out physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually from a full-day of ministry on Sunday.
Perhaps you are still riding the crest of the wave from a wonderful day of ministry.
Maybe you are ready to “throw in the towel.”
Maybe you are ready to “take on the world today!”
I understand.
Ministry is an emotional roller-coaster no matter how young or old you are; if you are just starting out or have been faithful for 50 plus years. We are as Elijah, a man with a nature like ours; of like passions (James 5:17).
Continue reading “Monday’s Ministry Encouragement”
Pulling into the Tweetsie Trail parking lot for our early morning run, there gathered around the trailhead were 30 or more college students. They were in fine shape bringing back memories of my pre-gotta-watch-what-you-eat, what’s-that-hanging-over-your-belt days! They were all lean, trim and in optimum running shape.
Andrew and I headed down the trail and about two miles in, we heard the sound of runners gaining on us. These college age gazelles in various groupings passed us with great ease.
As we approached the three mile mark, some of these students were gathered waiting for the rest of their gang. Are you ready for this? They saw us coming and formed lines on either side of the trail and began clapping for us and cheering us on!!! Wow!! They did not know us. We were not in their group. The only thing that unified us was what called us to be on the Tweetsie Trail . . . running.
As Andrew and I continued our run, a pertinent application struck a chord in my heart. This is how Christians should treat others, especially those in the family of God.
So, how should we treat others in the family of God? Should we carry long-term grudges against them? Should we withhold forgiveness? Should we just write them off? Should we misapply scripture to fit our reasons for distancing ourselves from our brother and/or sister in Christ? Should we gossip about them? Should we make them feel like a nobody when seen in public? What does the Word of God say?
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35)
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. (Romans 12:10, 16)
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:7)
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3)
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
You may not run races here on earth, but if you are a believer, you are running a race that will count in Glory (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Hebrews 12:1-3). Hence, may I encourage you to cheer on your brother and sister in Christ? Should we treat them different here than we will in Heaven? Who needs to hear you clapping and cheering them on?
One of the cool features of being a grandparent is watching your twin grandsons grow and change every day! Given that our two bundles of energy have had to overcome great obstacles, those points of development are magnified.
Yesterday, I listened to them sing more words to the choruses that accompany our wagon rides on the farm road. I saw one of the boys take more steps in his struggle to walk. I heard their vocabulary increase as we walked to the back of our property. And, I watched with a full heart their zest for life as they proved again and again, they are “all boys”!!
Indeed, it is fascinating to watch our children and grandchildren grow and learn; to attempt new things; to make progress; to act like little adults; to fall down, get back up, and try again. How often we look at the kids and then the parents and say, “That apple doesn’t fall far from that tree!”
As a follower of Jesus Christ, one commanded to mature in Christ, what would others say about my growth in Christ? Could they give specific points of development? Have I grown from the times when I “fell down” each day?
2 Peter 3:18 says, But grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:15-16 exhorts us, Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. And 1 Peter 2:2, Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up.
Can you imagine Sunday morning as we gather to worship, an older believer walks up to you and says, “I have seen great growth in your life this week! I saw you from a distance be confronted with a situation that normally would elicit anger from your heart, but you responded in kindness and wisdom as Christ would. To God be the glory! Stay in the Word, walk on your knees, and be faithful!! Let’s pray together and ask the Lord to help both of us take the next step in wisdom.”
Instead of looking for the faults in others, let’s look for growth points and be encouragers. Let’s rejoice as we mature together in Christlikeness. Let’s help each other when we “fall down.” Let’s walk together to Glory. After all, we are the family of God.
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:5-7).
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