pastor

  • A Worthy Ambition

    Pastor, what is your ambition? I ask this because we are not immune to dreams of greatness. Perhaps we want to pastor a giant church. Perhaps we want to become a national sensation, invited to speak at all the conventions… Continue reading

    A Worthy Ambition
  • Difficult Sheep need a Strong Shepherd

    “Lord! Why have I not found favor in your eyes, that you make me responsible for these people?” Many of us pastors have uttered similar words to these. It may be: “Lord, why did you call me to this church?”… Continue reading

    Difficult Sheep need a Strong Shepherd
  • Is the grass greener?

                    When I was in the Army, we used to say, “The best post is the one you just left or the one you are going to. The worst is the one you are at.” This is a form of… Continue reading

    Is the grass greener?
  • Church DNA and Change

    Years ago, my son took a DNA test to research his ancestry. He shared the interesting results. They said that he was half-Japanese. That shocked his mother because she is Korean—and quite sure he is hers. Not long after, they… Continue reading

    Church DNA and Change
  • Pastor Lightning Rod

    As dark clouds rolled in, accompanied by flashes and rumbling, the two-way radio crackled to life: “Storm warning! Expect lightning and high winds. Take appropriate action.” After ensuring the doors were secure and everything was in place, I placed a… Continue reading

    Pastor Lightning Rod
  • With whom does the Pastor talk?

    Imagine struggling, striving, and working for the good of others. But then, when you have a need, there is no one with whom you can be honest and share your heart. Many pastors are going through this. Almost all go… Continue reading

    With whom does the Pastor talk?
  • Not all Advice is Helpful

    Much of the practical advice given to churches and pastors doesn’t fit the dynamics of small church ministry. Of course, there are exceptions. Some authors lead small churches, offer great advice, and even write good books. But many times, those… Continue reading

    Not all Advice is Helpful
  • The Warrior Shepherd

    When I was a kid, one of my favorite cartoons was that of Sam Sheepdog and Ralph Wolf. Ralph Wolf was always trying to get the sheep, and Sam always foiled his plans—despite the fur over his eyes. I suppose… Continue reading

    The Warrior Shepherd
  • Pastor, how are you doing?

    As a young man—and even not so young—dark humor was a tool to compensate for a world we could not control. I served years as a Paratrooper, Infantryman, and Law Enforcement. In that world, we made jokes that civilians seldom… Continue reading

    Pastor, how are you doing?
  • Warning Signs for Pastoral Match-making

    The pastoral search process can be a bit like dating. Sometimes, a pastor and a church will hit it off and be an obvious fit. They, like a young couple, go on to establish a relationship. Other times, there are… Continue reading

    Warning Signs for Pastoral Match-making