10 Things I’ll Do Differently After Being a Pastor
I spent most of my adult life outside vocational ministry. Then God called me into vocational ministry. I never imagined He would give me 16 years to be a pastor. I never felt qualified or worthy, but...
View Article7 Ways To Honor Your Pastor’s Spouse
One of the toughest jobs in the church is being the spouse of a pastor. It has been called the loneliest job in the church. No doubt I had one of the best pastor’s wives in Cheryl. By trade, Cheryl is...
View Article3 Options When the Church No Longer Reflects the Community
I was coaching a group of pastors and was asked a question I’ve encountered, but never really answered. It’s a question, which seems to come up frequently these days. In fact, I think it’s a question...
View Article7 Ways To Having The Best Thanksgiving Ever
Want a guaranteed better Thanksgiving? Perhaps even the best Thanksgiving ever? I actually believe Thanksgiving may be one of the most “Christian” holidays we can celebrate. As followers of Christ, we...
View Article10 Ways to Process the Emotions of Christmas Loss
Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. As the song goes, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year“. But, for some people, Christmas can be a miserable time. Many have lost a loved one, suffered...
View Article5 Suggestions for Experiencing More Joy at Christmas
But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city...
View ArticleWhat To Do the Day After Christmas
And all they that heard it wondered at those things, which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:18 It’s the day after Christmas. Presents are opened. Trees are coming down. Reflecting is in full...
View Article7 Leadership Lessons from “It’s a Wonderful Life”
I don’t know in the last twenty years or so if I’ve missed a year watching the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Certainly it is one of my favorites and a part of my Christmas tradition. One reason I...
View Article7 New Year Resolutions Which Could Change Your World
Whether or not you do New Year resolutions, we could all stand to improve some things in our life. And, if we do, I’m confident we could also improve the life of others. In fact, with a whole lot of...
View Article4 Reminders in Times of Betrayal
I was talking with a pastor who had been betrayed by someone in his church. He told him a secret in confidence and soon learned the friend had shared it with another, who, of course, shared it with...
View ArticleFor the Pastor Who May Be Suffering From Burnout
Pastor burnout is a common problem in the church today. I hear from pastors on a regular basis facing the stress of ministry. One thing I am pushing us to address at Leadership Network is this issue of...
View Article3 Words for Church Members on Using Social Media
I was visiting a church recently and decided to jump over to the church’s Facebook page during the service. Leadership Network helps churches with their digital presence and so I am always curious how...
View ArticleA 4 Step, Simple Strategy To Have a Less Stress-Filled Week
Are you ever stressed? Do you begin Monday dreading the week ahead and simply can’t wait for Friday to come again? Silly questions, right? We can never remove all the issues of our life that bring us...
View ArticleThe Elasticity of the Heart – An Important Life Principle
Be aware of the elasticity of your heart. I’ve learned through hard lessons that a stretched heart never returns exactly the same. The Bible says, “Above all else, guard your heart.” I think part of...
View Article5 Things I Would Love to Say to Job’s Friends About Friendship
I’ve always been captivated by the friends of Job in the Bible. You remember Job – the man of suffering. He suffered the loss of everything. He lost children, finances, health, and finally the respect...
View Article7 Things I’d Say to Parents of Married Adult Children
In helping marriages, I often try to share some of the barriers that I have seen to having a good marriage. My theory is that if couples are aware of the barriers before they become an issue it’s much...
View Article7 Words That Protect Our Marriage
Cheryl and I are in a good season of life and marriage. In many ways it is a stressful season with work, family demands, and constant transition, but it is a good season in so many other ways. We’ve...
View Article4 Suggestions to Protect Your Marriage This Christmas
The Christmas season can be hard on relationships. As a pastor, I can’t tell you how many times I met with a couple after the holidays because of problems developed – or were exaggerated – between...
View ArticleWays to Help Your Pastor This Christmas
One of my goals in ministry is to help protect other ministers and their family. Through this blog I reach thousands of men and women who serve God in a vocational role. My heart is heavy when I hear...
View Article7 Thoughts For Pastors on Preparing For Christmas Services
As a pastor, I often told our staff that “Christmas is the new Easter”. It wasn’t something I could say as easily on Sunday morning without receiving the ALL CAP Monday morning emails. This requires a...
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