Posts Tagged ‘Ministry’
Pastoral Ministry as a Second Career
Is it possible to enter ministry as a second career? Not exactly. My concern is more about the word “career” than it is about the possibility of a midlife change of direction. Ministry is a calling, not a career. It must be directed by God, but God can direct any time He chooses. We need…
Read MoreThe Ministry of Writing: A Historical Example and a Word of Encouragement
Richard Baxter was one of the most voluminous writers in English history. He authored between 141-200 books during his lifetime. As one of his biographers notes, “The influence of is books is incalculable: from the early 1650’s they enjoyed greater sales than those of any other English writer.”1 Although The Reformed Pastor might be his…
Read MoreThe Coming Shortage of Pastors and Missionaries
Facing the Facts, Finding the Way Jesus put it bluntly: “the labourers are few.” He did not mince words. He challenged the disciples to face the facts and find the way forward. He told them to pray to the Lord of the harvest. They were to ask for laborers for an abundant harvest of souls.…
Read MorePutting the Christian Message in Print (or Pixels)
One sayes well; That Sermons Preached, are like Showers of Rains that Water for the Instant – But Sermons Printed, are like Snow that lies longer on the Earth. God grant that the Truths falling from Heaven, in this Form, this Winter upon our Neighbours, May Soak into their Hearts, with a Sensible and a…
Read MoreInterview 12: With the Word to the World (podcast)
Our May/June issue of FrontLine was put together by the faculty and staff of Faith Baptist Bible College & Seminary in Ankeny, Iowa. We appreciate all the articles that appeared in that issue. For this installment of the podcast, we offer an interview with Jim Tillotson, the president of Faith Baptist Bible College. He writes…
Read MoreDon’t Give Up Ministering the Gospel (Part 3)
This is the third in a series of posts. Click here for previous posts: part 1, part 2. In a culture that is growing in opposition to the Christian gospel and Christian living, we need Paul’s encouragement in 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 not to faint. The verb “faint not” refers to not being cowardly or to…
Read MoreAI, ChatGPT and Ministry – 3
Artificial Intelligence content creators such as ChatGPT will certainly revolutionize almost every kind of work that relies on writing of some sort. But how will it change Christian ministry: particularly sermon creation, essays, articles and even books? We have already said it will tempt some to cheat, and to do a more sophisticated form of…
Read MoreAre We Having Fun Yet?
“The ministry would be fun if it wasn’t for people!” This was said to me in jest and attempted humor many years ago. There are two questions to consider. Is the goal of ministry to have fun? What ministry would you have if you didn’t have people? Indeed, ministry can often be difficult and not…
Read MoreWhy the Dearth of Young Preachers? (Part 1)
According to Barna Research, half of all American pastors are 55 years old or older. Pastors 40 years old and younger constitute only 15 percent of the total number. These statistics indicate far more than the fact that the average gospel preacher is older than in past decades. They show that there is a dearth…
Read MoreWhen Working For God Becomes the Goal
Even though I had my struggles as a teen, God had my heart. I wanted to serve Him. When I heard appeals from pastors or missionaries about being willing to give ourselves fully to Christ in full-time Christian service, my heart sang, “Let me!” I remember one sermon where there was an appeal to young…
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