Life is hard. Sometimes, it is really hard. Isn’t it great, however, to have friends, family, church members, and others who will come along side you and help! I am thinking of one Texas friend who I loved being with. We often ate lunch together. We would talk to one another about our lives… Continue reading “But The Good News Is . . .”
Category: Emotional Maturity
What Good Ministers Do Really Well
I have been a minister for many years. Literally, every week, I am in conversation with ministers. I have noticed that the best ministers I know do three things really well. First, good ministers look for the kernel of truth in any criticism. Most of us probably do not like to hear anyone who might… Continue reading What Good Ministers Do Really Well
Ministers and the Lust for Applause
“Everyone wants to be liked and appreciated,” my friend said. Perhaps. But not everyone lusts for applause. Some want applause so badly, they are willing to sacrifice their integrity. Have you ever enjoyed something so much, that you wondered how others manage to live without it? For some ministers and other church leaders, the… Continue reading Ministers and the Lust for Applause
Church Leaders are Called to Behave Better
Sometimes ministers go through difficult seasons. Sometimes elders go through difficult seasons. At times it seems that entire congregations go through difficult seasons. Sometimes a difficult season occurs because of someone’s irresponsibility, incompetence, meanness, manipulation, or thoughtlessness. Some ministers and some elders have been guilty of all five. Ministers and elders will make mistakes. Human… Continue reading Church Leaders are Called to Behave Better
When Preachers Suffer Self-Inflicted Wounds
Serving as a minister can be hard – very hard. Yes, there are many situations where preachers and their families have been mistreated by their own congregation. These are real situations and deserve our thought, attention, and prayer. Yet, I don’t want to overlook another reality for many who preach. This reality is the self-inflicted… Continue reading When Preachers Suffer Self-Inflicted Wounds
“I Was Just Kidding”
A regular stream of critical words has a way of taking the joy out of a marriage. A marriage in which a husband and wife regularly criticizes one another can feel like you are being nibbled to death by a duck. Sometimes we will level a criticism toward our spouse followed by the words, “I… Continue reading “I Was Just Kidding”
Three Important Behaviors for Any Church Leader
Have you ever looked at your to-do list and felt totally overwhelmed? I certainly have. Years ago, I thought the answer was to just work harder. I soon learned that I was missing certain priorities. If you are church leader (or businessperson), you may have had a similar experience. Yet, in all of the things… Continue reading Three Important Behaviors for Any Church Leader
On Refusing to Live a Hurried Life
I was a young minister. I had a few appointments and a few calls to return. I had a lunch meeting scheduled that day. For some reason, in those years, I thought that the busier I was, the more I was accomplishing. Decades later, as I think about my motives for this pace of ministry,… Continue reading On Refusing to Live a Hurried Life
What I Learned About Anxiety that Has Helped Me Greatly
Years ago, I was preaching on a Sunday evening. I was upset about something and it came through in the message. (I think I had just read a book and was battling some concern as I prepared this message.) That evening, my in-laws were present. After church was over, my father-in-law who had preached for many years… Continue reading What I Learned About Anxiety that Has Helped Me Greatly
When You Are Disappointed
They are in their late 40s. They don’t like talking with other families about their adult children. It is just too painful. Besides they really don’t think anyone else would understand. Many, many people know disappointment. Do you know disappointment? Your children haven’t been to church in years. You are disappointed. Your adult son was… Continue reading When You Are Disappointed