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Resilient Ministry – Part 2
Last month I recounted highlights from my conversation with Bob Burns, a St. Louis pastor, longtime friend and co-author of the new book – “Resilient Ministry: What Pastors Told Us About Surviving and Thriving.” I found the book to be an affirmation of what we have done for the last fourteen years at PastorServe. A…
Read MoreResilient Ministry – Part 1
What does it take to sustain lifelong pastoral excellence? Why do people leave ministry when they feel called to ministry for a lifetime? Last month, I was privileged to sit down with Bob Burns, a longtime friend who serves as the Associate Pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in St. Louis. Bob and his team (co-authors…
Read MorePrince Harry Was the Attraction, But Not the Star – Part 2
As I said, I wasn’t prepared for the camaraderie. But I really wasn’t prepared for what I experienced the next day as I watched a few swimming races. I swim competitively, so I’m familiar with the grueling practices it takes to be ready on race day. I’m familiar with the feeling of complete aloneness as…
Read MorePrince Harry Was the Attraction, But Not the Star – Part 1
Colorado Springs is the home of the United States Olympic Committee as well as a few U.S. Air Force and Army installations. That makes it an ideal location to host the Wounded Warrior Games as it has for the past few years. Every year this event has drawn increasing attention as disabled men and women…
Read MoreFollowing the Leading of the Holy Spirit
Last month I wrote about an all-day pastors gathering where I was asked to speak on ‘Ten Practices of Highly Effective Pastoral Leaders.’ Last month, I highlighted one of the practices – Do not allow antagonists to set the church agenda. This month, I thought I would highlight another point from my seminar – the…
Read MoreDo Not Allow Antagonists to Set the Church Agenda
I recently had the opportunity to lead an all day pastors gathering where I was asked to speak on ‘Ten Practices of Highly Effective Pastoral Leaders’. Quite a weighty topic! Who can choose only ten practices? It would be easier to list 50! While I debated what to include in the top ten – one…
Read MoreThe Master’s
For many, this week is a national holiday. This week is The Masters, the crown jewel of golf’s Grand Slam held annually in Augusta Georgia. Once again, this year’s Masters drips with drama as golf fans around the world ask, Is Tiger back? Will Phil make a run? Has Rory found a groove? I am…
Read MoreDo You Have A Rhythm of Reading?
“What are you reading?” That’s an important question. A question that we church leaders ought to ask ourselves, and our ministry leaders, on a regular basis. Not in a guilt-inducing, burden-imparting sort of way, rather in a way that communicates the significance of this life-giving discipline. A rhythm of reading is critical for every pastor.…
Read MoreThe Rhythm of Life
Rhythm – procedure marked by the regular recurrence of particular elements, phases, etc. If you were to review the activities of the most recent week in your life, what patterns would emerge? For me, I see moments of intentionality like teaching prep, strategic planning, reflection, enjoying community with others and prayer (not nearly enough). Though,…
Read MoreFighting 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…
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