Posts Tagged ‘Ministry’
Helping Others Overcome Anger
Proverbs 21:19 states, “Better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman.” This proverb is equally true regarding a “contentious and angry” husband, parent, child, coworker, church member, etc. Angry people make life miserable for everyone. Therefore, if you live or work with an angry person, you surely long to see…
Read MoreReflections from a Hospital Visit
One of the greatest responsibilities I have as a pastor is to prepare my people for suffering. Hardships are the norm, not the exception, in the Christian life (I Pet.4:12f). As Barnabus said, “through many tribulations we enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:23). A dear sister in our church, Rachel, recently received news that…
Read MoreWell the Pastor Gets Paid, So…
It’s a common assumption; you and I have heard it before. We get tired of the exhausting work of ministry and, understandably, we want to take a break. If the church members can’t carry the load, then there is always the pastor and his family. “I mean, he gets paid, right? It’s his job!” To…
Read MoreCalling Young Men to the Work
Our friend Kevin Schaal gave us a motivating piece on Monday, “We Need More Pastors, Where Are They?” As we age, those of us in the ministry become more and more concerned with succession. (Not that we usurp our congregations! But we are looking out over the horizon to see if there are any ships…
Read MoreProclaiming Freedom to the Captives
Let me tell you how a new evangelistic ministry is reaching the lost in our community! First a Bit of History A middle-aged friend of mine, Wynn Freeman, who came to Christ as a young man in the back seat of a squad car after he was arrested for drug possession, had made me think…
Read MoreTentmaking Ministry in the 21st Century
(Thoughts on Full-Time Vocational Ministry versus Bi-Vocational Ministry) When I was in high school, my plan was to head towards the Georgia Institute of Technology so that I could become an engineer. My senior year of high school the Lord changed everything. He called me to preach at the beginning of that year. I walked…
Read MoreCome over to New York and help us!
The state of New York has been on the news, both in Christian circles and in the general media. The recent headlines about the new abortion law passed by the newly-elected government caught the attention of many, but there is more to come. The government’s agenda includes abortion expansion, anti-discrimination of transgenderism, a ban on…
Read MoreThe Laborers Are Few
Current cultural and religious trends in our country are alarming and ought to be upsetting to the faithful Christian. Church attendance is down. The number of churches in our country is declining. Enrollment in Bible colleges and seminaries is dropping. Bible reading is less and less common. There is increasing popular support for the legalization…
Read MoreFaithfulness When Progress is Slow
In 2010, I attended a funeral at Victory Baptist Church in the rural town of Whiteville, NC. I did not know then that in December of 2013, I would become the pastor of this small church and begin praying that God would bring new life to this congregation. But before that could happen, God needed…
Read MoreDealing with the Wiggleworm: Tips on Keeping Children Engaged
Children must be discipled with care and devotion. A child is no less a citizen of God’s kingdom than their parents; they are not second-tier after thoughts to God like so many of our ministries seem to reflect. On the contrary, children seem to be some of the most esteemed members of God’s family. Christ…
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