“Pastor, do you know that you have been my pastor all my life?”
Last weekend, I had the privilege of attending two high school graduations of two young ladies who I held in the hospital at birth and have now watched receive their diplomas. That’s one of the many joys of longevity in ministry in one location!
Continue reading “Counting the Joys!”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.
Pastor, are you ready to quit? Are you tempted to to “throw in the towel?”
You have some company in your misery. You may not know who they are or maybe you do, nevertheless they are all over the country.
Every pastor who is a faithful shepherd of the flock, a dedicated proclaimer of the Truth, a man of passionate prayer and a caring, compassionate friend will face times like these.
Continue reading “Don’t Quit!!”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.
And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. (Mark 6:46)
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12)
Every once-in-awhile, I have to literally go to the mountain and get along with the Lord. Living in East Tennessee, there are many wonderful locations from which to choose.
Due to various ministry demands, the recent death of my father-in-law, a bit of a spiritual empty tank, and just needing the solitude, I made my way to one of my favorite areas along the Appalachian Trail.
Continue reading “Go to the Mountain!”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.
“Pastor, do you have a busy week ahead of you?” was the question offered by a caring church member headed home after a great day of worship and ministry.
Busy week? Always!
But the question for me is, “Will I get it all done?”
Continue reading “The Busy of 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.
Before men’s prayer breakfast on Saturday morning, a real concern gripped my heart. The men arrived, filled their plates, and gathered around the firepit. On this cloudy, 34 degree morning, the roaring fire felt really good!!
Continue reading “Come Around the Fire”
Several years ago, I found the following from Pastor Bob Kelley who went Home to Glory on October 28, 2006. I believe these practical lessons wrought out of forty-three years of ministry will be of great help and encouragement to you as you begin 2023, a new year of living out the Christ-life in His ministry.
Continue reading “Greatest Lessons I Have Learned as a Preacher of the Gospel”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.
Tis the season to be . . . extremely busy!! Well, the song as you know says “jolly” and not “busy,” but so many ministry events happen in this final stretch of the year that “busy” can and many times does eclipse “jolly!”
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.
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”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.
It’s time to celebrate the 66th Anniversary of the church where you are serving. You and others have spent considerable time planning. Music is prepared, the service order set, song lyric slides are sent, the sermon is ready, and the fellowship meal lurks around the corner. The day is here!
Then, Anniversary Sunday morning you receive a text—“Pastor, ___________ woke up sick this morning and cannot play the piano.”
Congregational songs, choir ministry, and other music ministry is affected. Changes must be made.
Is it the end of the world?
Will it be a good service?
So, what happened?
Continue reading “Monday Ministry Encouragement”
It’s Monday morning. Your tank is empty. You gave all you had for the Lord yesterday. Your family saw little of you as you were consumed with ministry, people, serving and leading. That comes with the territory and with joy.
Continue reading “Monday Ministry Encouragement”
From A Pastor's Heart 