Three notable articles I read this week: Barnabas Piper – Honest parenting haikus. Haikus are short and complex, just like children. You’ll enjoy these. Scott Douglas – Seven reflections three weeks in. Scott gives excellent reflections on his first three weeks as a senior pastor. Hershael York – Preacher’s toolkit: How long should my sermons be? “How can one preach better and still afford to preach longer? Faithful preachers who desire to also be interesting must learn Read more [...]
If you don’t require office hours for church staff, then how can you hold them accountable? This question became a common response to my previous post on not requiring office hours. A Twitter follower, @IanDaKitchen, suggested I write a follow-up post. I thought he made a good suggestion. I believe an unwillingness to be held accountable is one of the greatest weaknesses in church leadership. Too many people define leadership as influence. I roll my eyes every time I read the sentence Read more [...]
I’ve never liked the idea of requiring office hours for pastors and ministry staff. Ministry demands a “go” mentality. It’s hard to go when you have to sit at a desk all day. Assuming you have at least one person in a support role to answer phones and greet walk-ins, then you likely don’t need to require staff to have office hours. Here are a few reasons why I don’t require office hours for ministry staff. The church bubble is often the church building. I love our church Read more [...]
If you believe God’s Word, then you will obey God’s Word. Christians are called to do what they believe. This sermon reveals three ways you can be responsible and pure: 1) Stoop down into God’s Word, 2) Allow God’s Word to expose you, and 3) Find freedom in the perfect law.
Three notable articles I read this week: Michael Kelley – 3 reasons you absolutely must go to church this weekend. “One of the things we recognize about the nature of the church through our attendance is that we are actually a vital part of this living, breathing body. And as such, the church needs us.” Jonathan Edwards – Is God the Father like my father? “I was 25 years old before I could say the word ‘father’ while praying. The word was foreign to me. It didn’t roll Read more [...]
Most of the unchurched are not anti-church. Few are highly antagonistic to the gospel. In fact, only about 5% of unchurched Americans are highly antagonistic to the gospel. Euangelion is the Greek word for good news, or gospel. Have believers today lost the “good” in good news? Negativity undoubtedly sells. Negative news reports get more eyeballs, as do negative posts on social media and blogs. Eighty percent of churchgoers believe they have a personal responsibility to share their Read more [...]
Christians endure trials because of the fruit of suffering. Suffering refines your faith. Suffering leads to life only in the new birth of Christ.
Three notable articles I read this week: Tony Kummer – Pokémon Go: What parents need to know. Tony explains how the game works and gives good advice to parents. William Vanderbloemen – 7 common mistakes pastor search committees make. “Pastor search committees are tasked with the weighty responsibility of finding a new leader for their church. But this holy endeavor is far from easy or simple.” Eric Geiger – 3 emails you should never send. Take note of Eric’s advice and Read more [...]
We have police officers in our church. We have African Americans in our church. One of our members recently lost a son, who was a police officer shot and killed in the line of duty. Other members can give first-hand accounts of the civil rights movement. The stories of heroism in my church are plentiful. Why God blessed me to pastor such a flock, I’ll never know. I guess He knows I need them more than they need me. On Sunday, something needed to be said. Something needed to be done. Read more [...]
Fatherly wisdom is less about the quantity of knowledge and more about quality of living. Wise men make God’s confidence the blessing in their lives. Wise men practice delight before discipline with their children. Wise men work hard for the right legacy.
Five Ways to Heal the Negativity of the Election Season in Your Church
How Many Extra Hours Are Pastors Working During COVID-19?
Pastor, You’re Tired. Maybe It’s Right Where You Need to Be
EST.church Podcast: When Pastors and Deacons Do Ministry Together
What Happened When We Changed the Order of Our Worship Services
Leading a Whiteboard Session with Your Staff or Church Leaders