I’ve been struck by a consistent theme in the lives of several pastors I’ve spoken to recently. That theme is disappointment.
Read More
One of the great challenges for pastors is deciding how much of their personal lives to reveal – whether in private conversations or in sermon illustrations. It’s known as “appropriate self-disclosure” and it’s a big deal.
Read More
inter Gwen and I were privileged to share some extended time with a group of pastors and wives. While we were one of my fellow pastors gave a devotional that I found to be insightful, and I've been thinking about it ever since.
Read More
Someone who shaped my life in my early years of ministry was the late Dr. Howard Hendricks, professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. I read his books. I listened to his sermons.
Read More
Most pastors I know are inveterate bibliophiles. They know that great books can provide information, inspiration, and illustrations.
Read More
Ever since Thanksgiving, I’ve been pondering an intriguing Scripture verse. Psalm 126:3 reads, “The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy.”
Read More
I remember visiting many churches and seeing a wooden plaque in the foyer that was updated every week. It was titled “Attendance and Offering,” and it gave the stats from the previous week and one year ago, enabling people to compare.
Read More
Some time back I came across a quote (sorry, but I don’t know where it originated) that really marked me. It read…If you never celebrate your wins, it will seem like you’re always losing.
Read More
One of the most painful aspects of the post-pandemic church has been its numerical contraction. Attendance is down across the board. And with that, giving is down across the board.
Read More
In his fine book, Canoeing the Mountains, Tod Bolsinger describes the outstanding leadership of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as they led their Corps of Discovery in search of a northwest passage to the Pacific Ocean
Read More
Nothing will slow down a growing church faster than a toxic staff member. What makes a person toxic? One definition is that it’s an individual who is unsupportive, negative, or even abusive.
Read More
The best organizations have a clear sense of culture. The Apple way… the Chik-fil-a way…the Disney way. Having that stated culture sets the bar for expected behavior.
Read More
The term “Celtic Church” is used to describe one of the earliest forms of Christianity in the British Isles. Dating from around the year 400 A.D., the Celtic Church established itself as the most successful evangelistic movement ever seen in the countries of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
Read More
In the course of my ministry life, I have met many people who claim never to have received a prompting or sense a whisper from God. Not even once. Yet, when I probe a bit deeper, I discover that the reason why is that they have not positioned themselves to be able to hear from God.
Read More
In my two previous posts, I tried to make the point that our relationship with the Lord is more than theoretical – it’s real. And any loving relationship has at its heart communication.
Read More
If there is such a thing as a biblical understatement, “God spoke to our ancestors…at many times and in various ways” (Hebrews 1:1) qualifies. Consider the following Old Testament examples.
Read More
I’m sometimes asked by those I coach, “What’s the best advice you could give me about being a good leader?” My answer often surprises them. “It’s being a good follower.”
Read More
I have a bad habit. Okay…who am I kidding? I have a bunch of bad habits. But one of my worst is my tendency to interrupt others. They begin to share something and then I butt in.
Read More
One of the most interesting New Testament characters, to my way of thinking, is Timothy. This young man, the son of a Jewish mother who had become a believer and a Greek father (who apparently had not) met Paul…
Read More
As we emerge from the pandemic and all of its implications, many churches are looking to make strategic hires.
Read More