Thigh pads, shoulder pads, cleats and a helmet. Tuxedo, tie and dress shoes. Weighted boots, oxygen supply, pressurized suit. Scrubs, gloves, mask. To get ready to play football, perform in an orchestra, fly to the moon or conduct surgery requires getting suited up. Getting suited up for the mission of God consists in putting on the panoply of God, the […]
“Pastor, what does God want me to do with my life?” If I had a nickel for every time I have heard that, I wouldn’t be rich, but I would have a few dollars. Consecrated Christians do desire to follow God’s leading, take his path, make decisions in accord with his will, but the way forward is often unclear. There […]
Year ago I led a sectional at a pastors’ conference. The committee asked me to talk about meeting the needs of our communities in these difficult times. (This was years ago. Interesting, the times are always difficult.) While ministries like coat distribution, food pantries, after school youth center and so on meet some of the needs, there is another way […]
This goes back a while. Seven-Up conducted an ad campaign designating itself as the Un-Cola. It was still a pop (or soda), but it was different. Cola was not a bad thing; the un-cola was a different thing. Many Christians, at least functionally, consider “church work” to be connected with maintaining the local congregation. Make no mistake that is indeed […]
I wish for you something more than success in life. I wish you significance. Aim higher than success; seek significance. Success tends to be measured in opponents conquered and things accumulated. Significance is measured in the difference made. Success is always at risk. Significance endures. The first and most fundamental step on the path toward significance is simple. It is […]
You have often heard people say, “Preach the Gospel. Use words if necessary.” People attribute it to St. Francis of Assisi. While many have repeated this mantra, it turns out St. Francis never said it. Actually, he was known as quite a preacher—the words mattered to him. The Gospel of Jesus, because it consists in a message, necessitates words, verbalization. […]
Never let anyone or anything steal your joy. You are sons and daughters of the Most High God! You have the hosts of heaven helping you and the gates of heaven waiting for you. Your sins, faults and failures are washed clean. God is with you and for you. Of course, you also have bills to pay. Projects at work […]
Pray a lot. Prayer is one of the great responsibilities and opportunities of Christ followers, both public and private prayer. It is one of the “roll up your sleeves” duties. It is not a mere formality to start and end a day, a meeting or a meal. It is one of the great things you can do for a person, […]
It has been said, “You can’t give away what you don’t have.” I like that. When it comes to sharing Jesus with others, we can’t give away what we don’t have. We cannot give away a solid, mature testimony of the Biblical Jesus if we do not have it. And the surest way to be able to have plenty to […]
In pastoral ministry perspective is significance. Remember it is a job. Being a pastor is your job. It is hard work. You will need to work hard; you will need to work smart. Never apologize for being paid to do this work. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. You are not. You are, in a very real sense, a hireling. This […]