Recently, I opened the pages of a book on ministry leadership and was confronted with these words: Every pastor is an interim pastor. Few ministers consider that truth. Few are eager to admit that their time with their present church will one day end. But ultimately, all pastors are interim because the day when a …
As a child, my response to the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” was not your typical childhood response. At the age where many children responded “an astronaut” or “a singer”, my response was “I want to be a missionary to Africa.” It’s a definite call that I have known …
Transition is a part of life every human experiences. We transition through age, physically, geographically, mentally, etc. In ministry we experience transition. In my ministry of more than 25 years, I have transitioned from my first sermon, (which was way too long) to local youth volunteer, youth pastor, state youth director and to my current …
Transition a : passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another: change; b: a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another Transitioning from being a youth pastor to being an associate pastor was first a huge struggle in my mind. I assumed that being an associate pastor would …
I grew up in Pentecostal churches. For every service, we have a strict social regimen. As you walk in, you trade handshakes with each person you pass. For many, a hug is a likely option. It’s a familial atmosphere populated by some of the friendliest people on the planet. By the time I’ve reached my …
Singer Russ Lee talks about process behind the recording and the state of the band Faithful, a collection of new worship songs by veteran music group NewSong, releases today. The album includes the catchy acoustic-led title track, a contemporary version of “Rock of Ages” and the bouncy “Bride of Christ,” among others. Singer-songwriter Russ …
In the last year as a new senior pastor, I have made a discovery that many of you have probably already learned. Unity in a local congregation can’t just be something mandated or commanded. Unity is something that is earned and grown into. It is an attitude that makes a difference. There are many Scriptures …
“Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. . . And when the …
Matthew 11:28: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” A few years back I heard the story of a poor woman that was walking by the side of the road with a basket full of clothes on her head; it was midday and the heat …
Counseling When someone asks me what I do for a living and I tell them I’m a therapist, it’s usually met with one of three responses; a nervous laugh, the “can you tell me about my dream?” question (for the record, no, dream analysis has been widely discredited and only God can interpret dreams), or, …