No matter what's discouraging you today, know this: You're not alone.
A marketing professor asked me, "What do you wish you knew then that you know now?" Here are the five things that came to mind.
All church attendees know (and even many non-churchgoers are aware) that pastoral transitions can affect a church's health as well as the pastor's spiritual wellness.
My Dad said, "Jim, it's all great, the ministry stuff you are doing in the community, but I'll believe it's true when I see you living it out at home."
Spiritual authority is derived from worship. Who or what we worship has our permission to rule our hearts and give us power.
Would you like to radically transform your experience with conflict at work (or even at home)?
There are appropriate times to engage in robust theological debate. There are also times when we must enlist every available Christian to help stem the tide of darkness.
The voice on the phone said, "We'd like you to work with Bill. He's one of our supervisors. He has problems working well with other people."
Loving, judging and truth-telling are critical aspects of effective biblical leadership. But how do we balance them correctly?
What is your tendency in conflict?
Whether at home or in business, conflict is unavoidable.
I got an unusual phone call many years ago. "Are you the minister of Southeast Christian Church?" the caller asked. When I answered affirmatively, he explained his unusual predicament.
No matter what you face this week, you don't have to face it alone.
We must be people of integrity. The world is watching how we respond to the tests and trials in our lives. We either draw people to Jesus or repel them with our lack of integrity.
The parable of the sower in Matthew 13 helps prepare church leaders for the sad reality that not all Christians will remain faithful.
Being a pastor is a high calling, yet they often face loneliness and discouragement.
If we were to reword priesthood of all believers to pastorhood of all believers, we would likely have a better understanding of the meaning of this idea for today.
Maybe you are generous and loving, but you always looked at your work as second class compared to being a pastor or missionary.
Giving up your preferences and reminding your congregation to do the same is not an easy road, but it is worth it for the sake of the gospel.
This book stretched me. I found it very helpful as I have been attempting to think through the proper use of the Old Testament today.
