In 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 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!”
Read MoreYour church staff has a culture whether you know it or not. You can have a positive culture where there’s a corporate sense of “us” that lends itself to mutual celebration or you can have a negative culture where there is a siloed sense of “me” that lends itself to selfish pride.
If the culture is healthy, amazing things happen. People love being there. Great leaders come and stay.
If the culture is unhealthy, destructive things happen. People endure being there. Great leaders look for ways to leave.
Read MoreOne of the most dog-eared books in my personal library has been in my possession for nearly 40 years. I’ve read it through multiple times and returned to it for points of reference scores of other times.
J. Oswald Sanders’ 1967 classic, Spiritual Leadership, has marked not only my life, but thousands of other pastors as well. The book is a treasure-trove, filled with wise counsel that is timeless.
Read MoreDefining what a disciple is has been debated long and hard. However, when you consider that Scripture uses the Greek word mathetes for “disciple,” the meaning is pretty straightforward. The word simply means learner.
In other words, disciples are people who learn to be like Jesus was and learn to do what Jesus did.
Read MoreJesus’ strategy for expanding the Kingdom is seen in His parting words. “As you are going, make disciples!” Most of us are quite familiar with this text and take the mandate seriously.
The challenge we face, however, is not in knowing the Great Commission but in putting it into practice. How do you create a disciple-making culture in your church? Do you preach a sermon series? Do you offer a week-end seminar? Do you provide a 12-week “fill in the blank” curriculum?
Read MoreOkay, you are a pastor. That’s your title. But what is your job?
My guess is that you were given an official job description when you were hired. It details what the expectations are of you and to whom you are responsible. But, at the end of the day…in a sentence…what are you supposed to be doing? What you are you to be about?
Read MoreWelcome to “The Everyday Pastor.” This is the first installment of a blog targeted to ordinary leaders of ordinary churches that slog out their ministry every day.
Believe me, after nearly 40 years of ministry I know what that’s like.
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