Crisis Care
Fighting for Joy on the Battleground of Discouragement
When was the last time you experienced real joy in your ministry? Deep, abiding joy–in spite of the busy schedule, the naysayers, the workload, the unexpected, the stress, the lack of appreciation, the sermon that bombed…again…? You get the idea. Whether you’ve been in ministry for a brief time or many years, you know there…
Read MoreKeep the Tractor Running
As a pastor, how often have you thought about quitting your current assignment? Usually, the response I get to that question is, “Every Monday morning!” Let’s face it. There’s much about the weekends that serves to send adrenaline rushing through your veins. When it’s over, however, you’re faced with the relentless return of the Sabbath…
Read MoreSecrets
I’ve got a secret. As we all know, secrets carry power. Many leaders have been ruined by the revelation of their secrets. Politicians (such as Gary Hart and John Edwards) and pastors (such as Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Baker) have been humbled by the public revelation of their private secrets. To be sure, there are…
Read MoreBringing Down Pastors
I recently read a twist on the Screwtape Letters, the CS Lewis classic, written by Jared Wilson. In Wilson’s version, the client is a pastor. The letter is from Wormwood to Grubnat, an even lower demon – one placed in charge of subtly sabotaging a pastor. I found the satirical letter to be full of…
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