Category Archives: Life of a pastor

Church – structured and spontaneous

Posted on January 29, 2020 by

The Church is an organism, not just an organization. This truth cautions against overly structuring the life of a body of believers. As an organism, the spiritual life or life generated by the Holy Spirit should lead to spontaneous ministries … Continue reading →

Posted in Call to ministry, Church, Church building, Church growth, Church Hoppers, Church Leadership, Church membership, elders in the Church, Life of a pastor, Local Church, Pastors, Small Group leaders, Wisdom | Tagged , | Leave a comment

My first funeral (a suicide)

Posted on December 8, 2018 by

There was standing room only at the funeral parlor as I faced some rather austere men and women dressed in the old black garb common to conservative Mennonites. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Counselor, Counseling, Depression, Despair, Eternal life, feeling hopeless, Funeral, Hope?, Life of a pastor, Sadness, Suffering, Suicide, Wisdom | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Liabilities in my work

Posted on June 14, 2018 by

Good words for those who use many words! Continue reading →

Posted in Church Leadership, Communication, Counseling, Elders, elders in the Church, Emerging Leaders, Leadership, Life of a pastor, Pastors, Preaching, Wisdom | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Are you a wise and discerning person?

Posted on February 21, 2018 by

When I began ministry many years ago, a scene out of the life of Solomon greatly influenced me and became my prayer. Continue reading →

Posted in Church Leadership, Discernment, Elders, elders in the Church, Emerging Leaders, Leadership, Life of a pastor, Pastors, Qualifications for leadership, Suffering, Trials, Wisdom | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Servant-leadership…but….

Posted on May 18, 2017 by

Jesus set the example of servant-leadership but be careful not to misunderstand what He intended. Continue reading →

Posted in Authority, Call to ministry, Calling, Church Leadership, Elders, elders in the Church, Emerging Leaders, Leadership, Life of a pastor, Pastors | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Preparing new leaders for helping others

Posted on June 7, 2016 by

How can we protect new leaders from learning too much by trial and error?
Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Counselor, Church, Church Leadership, Counseling, elders in the Church, Emerging Leaders, Leadership, Life of a pastor, Local Church, Pastors, Qualifications for leadership, Wisdom | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A closer look at accountability

Posted on April 29, 2016 by

What is accountability and how should we practice it in the local church? Is everyone accountable in the same way? Continue reading →

Posted in Accountability, attitudes of unity, Church, Church discipline, Church Leadership, Church membership, Community, Conflict, Elders, elders in the Church, Life of a pastor, Local Church, Pastors, Unity, Wisdom | Tagged , , | Leave a comment