One of my "fathers in the Lord" used to say that every believer needs a spiritual elder, and every pastor needs a pastor. He lived that out, showing me every day that Jesus was real and that He loved me with words and actions that continue to color my walk with the Lord to this …
While you have begun meeting again as a church, there are dear ones staying at home... they don't believe that there is a need for them to be physically present when the church gathers. They argue that their relationship with God is “private” and no one else’s business. But we know that the gathered church …
A small group of senior adults met early at the church on Sunday mornings to pray for the classes and worship services that would follow. Theirs was a ministry of prayer for the pastors, deacons, Sunday School teachers, and workers who would soon be filling the church hallways and walkways. One week they invited me …
Continue reading How Every Ministry in the Church is to Fulfill the Great Commission
“(Y’all) Go therefore and (y’all) make disciples of all the nations, (y’all) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (y’all) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you (i.e. y’all)…” ~ Matthew 28:19-20 PRV (Pucik Revised Version) In Greek and Hebrew and …
"...and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” ~ Philippians 1:14 Following Jesus takes guts. It is dangerous. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. We live in a war zone called earth. There are two kingdoms in conflict. You …
I’m old enough to recall when “leadership” became the latest buzzword among pastors. The key to being a good pastor was to become a good “leader.” I won’t bore you with the history of how it happened, but gradually we replaced “discipleship” with “leadership” as a primary pastoral objective. (Ironically, the seminary that pioneered secular …
Continue reading Leadership Expectations as a Source of Pastoral Pain
1. It is waiting on the Lord who renews and sustains me (Psalm 103:5, Isaiah 40:31). 2. It is a walk He sustains (Psalm. 63:8). 3. It is a walk that originated in the Garden and was damaged and destroyed by sin. Man no longer naturally longs to walk with God. Man would rather wander …
Every Christian is on a journey to know God more fully (John 17:3)... but rarely does anyone explain that the path is not an easy one nor is it well-populated. It can be strange and disorienting, especially as you look around and it seems no one else is travelling with you, or that no one …
"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away." ~ Hebrews 2:1 You and I need to beware of "coasting" as a Christian... like a ship without an anchor, a Christian can “drift away” from a life lived by faith. Why? Coasting is effortless. Coasting happens …
Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. John 6:5-6 Philip was stunned. Jesus was asking where to get the food …
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