One of the ongoing challenges of being a pastor is the never-ending demand of preaching. Though in my 3 ½ decades of church leadership I never tired of the privilege of preaching, I found myself all too often struggling with the responsibilities of preaching.
Read MoreI look at this picture and wonder, “Who were those kids?!” Hard to believe that was us – Gwen and me – on our wedding day 42 years ago. We just celebrated another anniversary and the occasion prompted me to do some reflecting on lessons we’ve learned along the way that have helped our marriage not only survive but thrive.
Read MoreSo, it’s really going to happen! Your church board has okayed it and you’re actually going get an extended time off for a study and renewal break. Now what? Let me offer you some thoughts that have come out of my own experience.
Read MorePeriodically I’m asked what the “secret” was to my 35-year run as pastor of Fellowship Missionary Church. And, to be sure, my first response is always, “It was by God’s grace. I had no greater vision than most, and I had no greater strength than most.”
Read MoreI was privileged to lead a wonderful church for nearly 35 years. That I was able to do so, however, is tragically rare. The majority of those who shared my vocation did not share my celebration. Indeed, the median tenure of pastors is 6 years. It’s not just that pastors move on from their churches. Many of them move out of ministry completely.
The fact is, pastors today are in peril.
Read MoreEvery pastor knows the feeling. The news may have come via email, phone, or second-hand conversation. A key family is leaving your church. They may already have found another church, or they may just be beginning the search process.
Read MoreAfter 40 years of pastoral ministry, I’ve come to see that these two realities are inevitable: 1. People will leave the church. 2. It will hurt when they leave.
Read MoreMistakes are a painful part of life. To be human means to mess up once in a while. Being a leader doesn’t make you immune from this. In fact, good leaders often make more mistakes than others because of the amount and impact of the decisions they make.
Read MoreA Whack on the Side of the Head – now that’s an interesting book title! One might be tempted to buy it for the title alone. Apparently many did. The publication has been read by millions, translated into eleven languages, and used in seminars around the world.
Read MoreIt’s one thing to dream of changing a culture – it’s another thing to see it happen.
We’ve all seen how even the most noble of ideas can fail to launch successfully. (Believe me, I can testify to literally scores of “great strategies” that I launched from the Cape Canaveral of my imagination over the years – all too many of which ended up sputtering into the Atlantic Ocean of failure.)
Read MoreIn my previous post, I noted that the data is in regarding the current state of the American church and it’s not pretty. Among the results reported were the following: While the number of admirers of Jesus is growing, the number of attenders at church is shrinking.
Read MoreIn my last blog, I focused on “The Costs of Consumerism.” If you sensed some passion in that post, it’s because I faced those costs first-hand in the church I led for 35+ years. Allow me a bit of history.
Read MoreThe data is in and it’s not pretty. The number of admirers of Jesus are growing while the number of church attenders are shrinking. For those who do attend, determining factors for church choice are based on what is offered to and expected from its membership rather than what is expected from its membership. Convenience is prioritized while commitment is minimized.
Read MoreIn my previous blog post, “Living in Three Dimensions,” we noted that Jesus oriented His life around 3 relational dimensions. Luke 6:12-19 records them:
First of all, JESUS LOOKED UP. This speaks to His relationship with His Father. The key to Jesus’ fruitfulness was His commitment to this vertical dimension.
Read MoreWhoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. I John 2:6
This verse is relatively easy to read; but it’s painfully difficult to apply, isn’t it? How does one actually walk in the way of Jesus? What does that look like practically speaking?
Read MoreHere we are on the cusp of yet another highly anticipated holiday. Preparations have been made. Presentations have been prepared. People have been invited. Everything seems to be stanced for success. All should go well.
Expect for that uninvited guest, Mr. Murphy.
Read MoreWhile the holidays are typically times for your congregation to enjoy special opportunities at the church, they can be draining times for the church staff that creates and manages those opportunities….
What can you do to recognize the efforts of your team?
Read MoreOne of the challenges of ministry is its non-stop nature. The pressures and demands are relentless. It’s as if you’re on never-ending merry-go-round and seat-belted onto the horse. For example, if you’re in the pulpit weekly, you know that Sundays come around with amazing regularity.
Read MoreIt’s been said that you only have one chance to make a good first impression.
As Easter weekend approaches, churches around the world are preparing to make a positive impression not only on regular attendees, but especially on visitors.
Read MoreA.W. Tozer was a no-nonsense pastor and theologian whose comments often pressed in hard. One that I’ve often used is this: It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.
I don’t know how that hits you. You might be nodding your head in agreement. “Absolutely!” Then again, you might be shaking your head in protest. “What??? God would never intentionally hurt someone!”
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