Tag: Ministry

A Reset For My Heart

by Dale, posted in Men, Ministry, Prayer, Prayer Advances

“I’ve been attending Men’s Prayer Advance for twenty-plus years. This is my yearly reset!” These words were spoken by a pastor who understands the value of intentionally setting aside time to seek and meet with the Lord in such a gathering as Men’s Prayer Advance.

My wife knows that Men’s Prayer Advance is a non-negotiable on my yearly calendar. Having attended for many years, she knows the effect upon my life, ministry and our marriage that she strongly encourages me to go. That’s way cool!

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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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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?

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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).

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