9 Reasons Weddings Aren’t My Favorite Part of Pastoral Ministry
Over the next few months, I’m officiating at two weddings for my current students. I’m excited to help these young couples, but I (like other pastors I know) don’t always enjoy leading weddings. Here’s why:
Dealing With Depression in Ministry
The harsh reality of life in a dramatically broken world and what remaining sin does to the hearts of us all.
Five Questions Every Church Should Be Asking
What are the questions every church should be asking if there were to be a serious conversation about its future? There are so many that could be asked that would reflect bleeding-edge issues in culture, but for the church, it has to begin with the most foundational questions.
Pastor, Don’t Waste Your Spiritually Dry Seasons
Every Christian—and every pastor—has spiritually dry seasons. These moments range from mildly annoying to living in a pre-Aslan Narnia where it’s “always winter but never Christmas.” What follows includes things I have done in my own spiritually dry seasons. I hope it will edify and encourage you.
18 Ways to Ruin Your Reputation on Facebook
Facebook is a great way for you to build and maintain relationships with people both inside your church and in your community. Every time you post something, you risk ruining your reputation on Facebook.
5 Things I’ve Learned Since Leaving Full-Time Ministry
Ever wondered if there's life after ministry? Here are some things I’ve learned—in darkness, pain, healing and a new lease on life—since leaving vocational ministry.
Thanksgiving Quotes From 20 of the Most Influential Church Leaders
Newsmax released a list of the 100 Most Influential Evangelicals in America that includes men and women of faith that are involved many different careers in life. Here are Thanksgiving quotes from them.
The Idol That’s Eating Away at Your Church
What do these 20 celebrities have in common? All of them have battled eating disorders -- unhealthy relationships with food they’ve all been brave enough to go public...
3 Types of Stress for Leaders
Right before Dr. John Townsend walked up to shred a guitar to some old Blink 182 songs with the band he has with his sons, I asked him if he was nervous. In a brief moment he talked to me about leaders and the three different types of stress for leaders we can face.
Scot McKnight: Why Legalism Isn’t What You Think
Over the years, my own thinking about legalism has become more nuanced, but I want to map out what legalism is in the context of the New Testament.
Preachers, Don’t Just Explain the Text Meaning—Tell Us How You Got There
Fellow preachers, if we explain the text meaning in our sermons, we do well. Our people will benefit. But that’s not enough.
Fuller Streamed a Continuous Reading of the Four Gospels on Sept. 11th
Fuller Theological Seminary’s Fuller Studio hosted a live stream of a continuous reading of the Gospels on September 11, 2019. The stream lasted over...
Pulpit Pointers from Past Preachers
Here are ten pulpit pointers for those who preach and teach the Word of God, as confirmed by some of history’s greatest preachers.
Beware of Broken Wolves
Wolves often look like sheep, so to spot wolves in sheep's clothing, we can often look at what values and qualities are most esteemed by a particular religious community. But there is a particularly nasty breed of wolf we need to beware of, a type that we might call the “Broken Wolf.”
Mental Health in the Church: Learning from (and for) Jarrid Wilson
Church pastor Jarrid Wilson died by suicide on September 9, 2019. In his life and writings, Jarrid Wilson challenged the issue of mental health in the church.
What Does It Mean to Walk by the Spirit?
To walk by the Spirit means to obey the Holy Spirit. To live life according to the leading of the Spirit. But first of all…
Wisely Handling the Book of Proverbs
There are certain circumstances when it is not wise to answer a fool according to his folly, but there are other circumstances when it is wise to answer a fool according to his folly.
Self-Appointed Word Police: About ‘Your Truth’ and ‘My Truth’
Leaders and teachers care about words because they know the power within them. But just because words matter does not mean we should play the role of self-appointed word police.
12 Signs of Power-Hungry Pastors
I believe all leaders, because of our fallen nature, have to deal with some or all of the following issues at times in our lives. But some power-hungry pastors have totally given in and live out these issues as a lifestyle of choice.
Handling Controversy With Rules of Persuasion
No matter the theological issue, we can be sure that a litany of quick-fire responses often only exacerbate the issue for those who are in need of biblical instruction and theologically nuanced clarity. To that end, I would suggest that the antiquarian tripartite modes of persuasion (i.e. ethos, logos, and pathos) are helpful when seeking to engage in theological controversy.
Latest News
United Methodist Church Returns Land to Wyandotte Nation
As part of its bicentennial celebration, the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries is transferring three acres in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, back to...
New Podcasts
Mark Sayers: An Anxious, Post-Christian Culture Is Longing for Hope
Mark Sayers says, “What’s happening is the secular story itself is actually beginning to have its moment of doubt.” Mark is the senior leader of Red Church in Melbourne, Australia, and this week on our podcast he shares how living in our current culture gives us a unique opportunity to offer people hope.
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