Years ago, I met a friend from out of town at our local Starbucks. We got our coffees, sat down at a table and began to catch up. At one point, my friend said, “It sure is sad about ______. I can’t believe he would get involved with another woman.” I was stunned. I had… Continue reading 5 Minutes After You Crash
Category: Ministry
Monday Resources
The following are some of the resources that I read, listened to, or skimmed last week. Maybe one or more will interest you. Podcasts This week I listened to several podcasts that were interesting. I listened to the Reveal podcast entitled “Institutions of Higher Learning.” (Reveal is from The Center for Investigative Reporting.) Much of this had… Continue reading Monday Resources
Yes, I Have Been Afraid
I had been preaching in Waco, Texas for about a year. Of course, I had already had some difficult experiences in the fifteen years of preaching before that. At times, I was nervous before some meetings, particularly if I wasn’t quite sure what to do or say. On some occasions, I was nervous before counseling… Continue reading Yes, I Have Been Afraid
Preaching to the “Old People”
Years ago, Charlotte and I moved to Dallas from Tennessee. This was a temporary move. Ultimately, we would move to Abilene, Texas where we would both go to graduate school. However, at this point, we were in Dallas trying to get our finances in order so that we could move. We lived in Dallas for… Continue reading Preaching to the “Old People”
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
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
“We Are Certainly Not Lacking Any Confidence Are We”
Some years ago, a friend of mine said to me after a certain young minister preached, “Well, we are certainly not lacking any confidence are we?” I understand what my friend meant. This young minister certainly did not appear uneasy. In fact, his manner, his body language, and his words indicated that if anything, he… Continue reading “We Are Certainly Not Lacking Any Confidence Are We”