Summer can stress pastors, but churches can support their well-being by protecting family time, offering practical care, and encouraging renewal.
Category: Leadership
When Your Well Runs Dry: Finding Life for Yourself (then Others)
Not long ago I sat with a pastor friend, watching his shoulders slump as he confessed, "I'm pouring out, but nothing's pouring in." His words struck a chord with me. How many of us find ourselves in this place – responsible for the spiritual growth of others while our own souls are parched and weary? …
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Leaving Words: How to Frame a Truthful Narrative of Grace and a Foundation of Hope
Pastors can shape church memories and futures positively with reflective, identity-affirming, and hopeful final messages grounded in Scripture.
How to Support Your Pastor and Your Staff in the Ministry You Lead
“How can I help you, Pastor?” The man served in our church as a ministry leader. He ran a large business with several employees. He was a busy man, and yet he wanted to know how he could help me! I invited him to pray for me. Immediately he stood up, walked next to where …
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How to Saturate the Ministry You Lead with Prayer
As a leader you can easily be overwhelmed by the demands of ministry. The good news is that you are not alone! Jesus never intended that you do ministry in your own strength, relying on your own ingenuity and resourcefulness. He taught disciples to maintain a vibrant, inner fellowship with Him, “because you can do …
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Disaster Relief Thoughts: Staying Refreshed Under Stress
Every few days I’ve been sending out a disaster relief update to our Northshore Baptist Association ministry leaders regarding the ongoing work and opportunities to serve in those areas affected by Hurricane Laura. Ways to plug in. Ways to get involved. But it’s a “long run” effort. And it can get exhausting. There are many …
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Leadership Expectations as a Source of Pastoral Pain
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 …
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3 Considerations for Churches Taking Advantage of the Payroll Protection Provisions of the CARES Act of 2020 (H. R. 748)
“Our Sunday offerings have dropped off dramatically.” As church members are unable to work due to the COVID-19 closures of their workplaces and schools, the financial support of church ministries and staff are also being affected. In the past week, many pastors are reporting that weekly gifts have decreased. Although some churches have reserve funds …
Risk Management: Making Your Church a Safe Place to Worship and Serve
While I was in college, a youth minister asked me to “fill in” for him and host a party for the students at his church. One of the games involved “bobbing” for apples. As the evening unfolded, students were laughing and playing hard, until one student opened his mouth too wide to grab an apple …
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5 Measures of Church Health
"You can build a great church or you can build a great people. I'm not sure you can do both." The older pastor looked at the neophyte steadily as the statement settled into the young minister’s thoughts. The older pastor’s point was well taken. Recalling that experience decades later, I recognize how easy it is …
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