We all have the obligation to invest in others. It is our privilege to spend time and energy on other new or younger pastors. In today's episode, we talk through what that looks like, how we have benefited, and what we are doing to help others along the way. Subscribe: iTunes ● Google Play Follow us on Twitter: @estchurch, @jowiki, @micahfries, and @samrainer. Read more [...]
Christmas Day is on a Sunday this year. We knew it was coming. It will happen again in 2022. Additionally, any time Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, New Year’s Day is also a Sunday. The good thing about the calendar is it doesn’t change without an act of God. We have time to plan. My church will gather on Christmas Day. We enjoy worshiping together! Will fewer people show than on a typical Sunday? Probably. But many in our congregation want to be there. Kevin DeYoung provided an Read more [...]
Matthew 1:1-17: God’s promise of grace becomes reality in the person of Jesus Christ. The grace of God breaks through all our sins. The grace of God grafts all kinds of people into His Kingdom. The grace of God includes the excluded.
What should be your leadership focus be on the 6 month, 2-3 year, and 3-5 year marks? We cover topics like bylaws, big changes, and when to tackle them. Subscribe: iTunes ● Google Play Follow us on Twitter: @estchurch, @jowiki, @micahfries, and @samrainer. Read more [...]
Oppression pushed the group of believers to meet in a field. The preacher dismissed previous warnings as he stepped up on a table in front of a small crowd. He knew imprisonment was likely. As soon as he finished his sermon, two men appeared from the woods and seized the preacher. “What are you doing here?” “I am preaching the gospel of Christ.” “Who gave you this authority?” “The Author of the gospel.” The authorities extended a few abusive epithets and then Read more [...]
God is emotionally invested in you. Tears are a sign of spiritual maturity. Anger at death leads to the resurrection. It’s right to feel but wrong not to believe.
Three notable articles I read this week: Selma Wilson – 3 dangers of being a thankless leader. “But before we close the door on Thanksgiving and open the door to Christmas, I am reminded how quickly we can move past being thankful leaders. Before we get caught up in our own score card, let’s look at some dangers of being a thankless leader.” Mike Harland – What to do when you don’t like the songs. “Are your Sunday lunches more like a critic’s review of the music? Or the Read more [...]
If you serve in ministry, then you will likely encounter some mean people at some point. In this episode, we work through how to handle difficult people or groups within your church. Particularly, we explore the idea of dealing with mean communication. Subscribe: iTunes ● Google Play Follow us on Twitter: @estchurch, @jowiki, @micahfries, and @samrainer. Read more [...]
It’s busy season in ministry right now. From the Fall Festival to New Year’s Day, a pastor can feel the stress build like air in a balloon animal—one more twist and something may pop. A hectic ministry schedule is expected this time of year. One holiday rolls into the next, and the church calendar is filled with special events. When church members take vacation at the same time, the emails and phone calls seem to increase. It’s not a conspiracy, I promise. If you’re not careful, Read more [...]
Three notable articles I read this week: Michael Kelley – Should you “thank” your way into Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving becomes a discipline to practice on those days and during those seasons when we don’t feel particularly grateful for anything that’s happening at the present. When we choose to obey the command not just once but over and over again, we will find that our souls will be lifted and our emotions will follow. Brandon A. Cox – 7 ways a pastor should think like an Read more [...]
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Leading a Whiteboard Session with Your Staff or Church Leaders