Articles for Pastors

Pastoring through a contested election isn’t like writing a position paper. It’s attending to wounded sheep. It’s calling members as brothers and sisters to check in on each other. It’s opening up our homes for anyone who felt unsafe.

I submit there are no experts on Bible prophecy.

"If our young people were taught systematic theology before going off to college, they would be equipped to answer the questions and challenges to their faith they’ll see and hear every day."

Let’s start there, churches don’t simply re-open, and you’re done. Re-opening is a process, and it could be a long one depending on when we finally get to the post COVID era. It requires a new leadership mindset.

I’ve been a pastor of a church for nearly 35 years. You learn a few things along the way. Here’s an important one: people leave. It doesn’t matter what you do or what you don’t do. People can and will leave.

If you’re a pastor, a missionary, or serve in a church, you can’t avoid discouragement, disappointment, and hurt from ministry. The Bible even uses the not-so-complimentary metaphor “sheep” to describe those we serve.

There’s a killer at loose in the church, a spiritual assassin with a long line of casualties to his name.  He assaults relationships, our bodies, our bank accounts, our prayer lives, and, if we’re married, even our sex lives.

I’m excited about preaching at my church this coming weekend, but I’m also burdened about it. I suspect I speak for most preachers as I write these words, and I’m asking you to pray today, tomorrow, and Sunday for all preachers you know.