Articles for Pastors

The five insights below from Nehemiah’s response to his chronic critics give us a good template to follow when we’re criticized.

I’m sure that pastoring a church has always been difficult. At the same time, though, it seems much harder today than it was 35+ years ago when I started in full-time pastoral ministry.

Rather than asking, “Why would a good God permit suffering?” Let’s reframe our thoughts on the point of suffering to say, “How loving of God to allow me to suffer, and therefore know Him and prepare me for the weight of glory” instead.

Like anyone else, pastors can suffer from mental illness and mental health issues, and when they do, they should seek the professional help of a competent Christian clinical therapist. But is there any reason for a pastor to engage the professional services of a clinical therapist if they aren’t suffering from a mental illness or struggling with mental health issues?

Criticism hurts, especially the non-constructive kind. We tend to stay away from such critics. But is that the wisest choice? Should we draw close...

Pastoral care ministry isn't for wimps...so if you still want to be a pastor after reading this, then God has probably called you to shepherd a church!

We need to look closely at why some church leaders abuse people, and take every necessary action to stop the abuse, see to healing of the abused, aim for restoration and discipleship of the leader, and be proactive in preventing any opportunity for abuse to occur in the church by its leaders.

The truth is, we are responsible for leading, and the nature of effective leadership is not a safe proposition. Leadership takes new territory; it moves us into the unknown. Playing it safe doesn’t work.