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”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.
Do any or all of the above describe you, pastor/missionary friend?
Continue reading “Overcoming Cynicism In Ministry”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!!!!”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!
Pastor Appreciation Day involves at least three components.
First of all, the words of Paul recorded in 1 Timothy 1:12 is the foundation for Pastor Appreciation Day—And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. A genuine pastor is only where He is because Christ put him in the ministry. Therefore, “Thank You, Lord, for calling me, enabling me, and placing me in this role as a spokesman for You. All the glory and honor and goes to You! You alone are worthy of the praise and appreciation!!”
Second, appreciation goes to every congregation that faithfully supports, encourages, listens, prays for, loves, forgives, puts up with, laughs with, is longsuffering with, and blesses their Bible-preaching pastor. As I think of this day, appreciation must come from us as pastors to our church family for following us, the under-shepherd leading under the Chief Shepherd of the Church (1 Peter 5:4).
Continue reading “The Elements of Pastor Appreciation Day”
As a pastor, Monday may be a day to rejoice because Sunday was a day of victories, but if so, be cautious. Even if Sunday was a “downer” day in your eyes, be cautious.
After any victory, you are vulnerable for defeat. Just ask Elijah. He had just seen the mighty power of God on magnificent display which wrought a great victory at Mt. Carmel! Then, upon hearing the subsequent news of Jezebel’s threat (1 Kings 19:1-3), he became discouraged and ran for his life!
There we find Elijah thinking unbiblically, living in unbelief, asking God to kill him, tired, weary, depressed, engaged in self-pity, and feeling like a total failure (19:4-10).
Have you been there? Do you know the place?
Continue reading “The Day After Victory”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, you know you need help. You are sinking. You know you are hurting. May I gently ask, “Why will you not seek help?”
Is it because of pride?
Is it because of fear?
Is because of image?
Is because of doubt?
No matter your reason, the way out is to not to run and hide. That is the worst step to take!
Run to Christ. This is the time to pray, to meet with your loving Shepherd in the quiet place. This is the time to take a deep dive into His Word letting the faithful and true words (Revelation 22:6) wash over your soul. As you read the Word, be honest with the Lord. He is your advocate (1 John 2:2) and friend (John 15:15). He is your Haven of Rest!
Continue reading “Are You Sinking?”
“Wow! Look what God did!!!”
Pastors, what was your “Wow” from this past Sunday or even today?
Ministry has its share of woes, wars, and worries. Sadly, we may have been blessed with several “wows” and let one woe come into the picture, and we are immediately overcome with the woe instead of the wow! We are fixated on the woe, and we forget the wow!
We need to rejoice and praise the Lord for the “Wows!”
Today’s “wow” happened during a hospital visit. Jeff has endured major trials in his life such as losing his job, his wife passing away, brain cancer, seizures, having to move out of his apartment, and now knee replacement surgery. As I walked into his room, he greeted me with a smile. After awhile, I read Psalm 61. When I finished with verse 8, So will I ever sing praises to your name, I said, “Jeff, may I encourage you from time-to-time to mute the TV and just sing praises to the Lord?”
Continue reading “WOW Wednesdays!!”
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!
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.
Are you ministering on a nearly empty tank, yet making it look like your tank is full?
Men, please hear me! You need to get away!
You must have times of spiritual, physical, and mental refreshment! You cannot go seven days-a-week, every week, with your foot on the accelerator pressed to the floor!
No matter what may be your personal or perceived expectations, you need a short or long-term period of renewal and refreshment!
Continue reading “Get Away!!”
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