Three notable articles I read this week: John Gardner – What’s up with all the roaring? “Maybe it’s just me, but every so often, it seems like a particular word or phrase becomes ‘trendy’ in contemporary Christian worship music. For instance, 10-15 years ago, it was variations on the phrase ‘wings like eagles’ . . . Today, I’m getting the same vibe from the words ‘roar’ and ‘roaring.’ It’s everywhere right now! Is it a biblical word?” Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra Read more [...]
How do you hire staff? What should you do with them and what happens when the relationship needs to end? On this episode, we talk about the important decisions of hiring and firing staff. Subscribe: iTunes ● Google Play Follow us on Twitter: @estchurch, @jowiki, @micahfries, and @samrainer. Read more [...]
Every pastor gets overwhelmed. The pressures of ministry are real and many, and seasons of stress are bound to occur. Personally, I’ve dealt with legitimate death threats (twice). The weeks surrounding each of those times were intense. I’m sure many of you have stories of severe storms in which the stress was overwhelming. However, when ongoing stress starts to define a pastor, it becomes a contagion that spreads to others. Unresolved stress can ruin church leadership. In fact, it Read more [...]
http://www.westbradenton.org/assets/2079/170319_i_will_grow.mp3 I’m preaching a sermon series called “I Will . . .” This series covers seven expectations of every church member, and this week’s topic is “Grow.” The healthiest churches inwardly are the ones most focused outwardly. Healthy spiritual growth only occurs where sacrifice is present. Healthy spiritual growth includes reaching people who are not like you. A healthy church community is different than any Read more [...]
Andrew Hebert (@andrewhebert86) joins Sam and Josh on the show to discuss the ins and outs of church staff meetings. We share some ideas on how to improve your meetings and get the most out of them for both you and the staff. Subscribe: iTunes ● Google Play Follow us on Twitter: @estchurch, @jowiki, @micahfries, and @samrainer. Read more [...]
A large wave of retiring pastors is moving towards the church. Boomer pastors are currently between the ages of 53 and 71. They won’t all retire at once, so this wave won’t crash into the church like a tsunami. But the American church is not prepared to replace these pastors as they retire. Just 1 in 7 pastors leading congregations are under 40, and the average age of Protestant senior pastors has risen to 54 from 44 in the last 25 years—a full decade older! Additionally, Millennials Read more [...]
I’m preaching a sermon series called “I Will . . .” This series covers seven expectations of every church member, and this week’s topic is “Serve.” An enduring church serves like Jesus. If God has saved you, then you are sent by Jesus. To live sent, you must be willing to sacrifice. Your home address is not an accident. Every local church has a global mandate.
Andrew Hebert (@andrewhebert86) joins Sam and Josh on the show to discuss baby dedications. We talk about how you can institute an effective and helpful child dedication. Subscribe: iTunes ● Google Play Follow us on Twitter: @estchurch, @jowiki, @micahfries, and @samrainer. Read more [...]
Few models exist on how to handle the moral failure of a staff person. Indeed, there is little consensus among pastors about what to do, even with something as explicit as adultery. In a recent survey, LifeWay Research asked pastors, “If a pastor commits adultery, how long, if at all, should the pastor withdraw from public ministry?” As you will see, the answers vary greatly. Surprisingly, 1 in 4 pastors (not church members) are unsure of how long a pastor should withdraw Read more [...]
I’m preaching a seven-week sermon series: “I Will . . .” This series covers seven expectations of every church member, and this week’s topic is “Give.” A faithful church gives to a faithful God. God does not underwrite thieves. Every gift matters to God. Sacrificial giving changes you. When you give faithfully, you find a home with God.
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