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 […]
You will teach much with words. You may teach more with your example, how you live. Or at least your teaching with words will be buttressed or hamstrung by your example. Do not underestimate the influence of example. Remember, after many years of God’s proclamation to his people through the words of the prophets, he showed more clearly and completely […]
The pastoral ministry is an inexact science. It calls for experimentation. It calls for artfulness. It calls for tinkering. Plan to tinker. One of my biggest surprises in the pastoral ministry was that there is no clear path on how everything really should be done and how everything really fits together and how everything really works! After nearly four decades […]
There isn’t one. At least I never found one, and I looked hard! Go to the conferences, read the books, attend lectures, pray for insights, but don’t expect to find one silver bullet that will change everything in your ministry and provide amazing fruitfulness! There is not one thing out there that you have not found that if found would […]
I do not mean the ubiquitous water bottle. I mean alcohol. Beer. Wine. Liquor. This is a touchy topic. But it is one that must be touched. Make no mistake; alcohol is a gift from God. It is at the heart of our sacramental union with Christ. It is at the center of Paradise’s promise. (Isaiah 25:6) But it also […]