Articles
What is the best way for you to de-stress?
Giving Your Worship Service a Budget-Friendly Facelift
Has there begun a slight indentation on the top of your desk from where you bang your head each week trying to plan yet another worship service? Have you already run out of fresh ideas for Sunday worship this year . . . and it’s February? Are you not one of the lucky...
When A Pastor Has Temporary Physical Limitations
A few years ago, my husband decided to buy a small motorcycle. This was during the time when gas was more than $4.00 a gallon locally, and some gas pumps had to shut down temporarily because of a supposed shortage. He went through proper motorcycle training,...
Inspiring Giving in Low-Income Areas
If you pastor a church in a low-income area, giving might be an uncomfortable subject to approach. Even if you aren’t necessarily in a low-income area, but you have many congregants on fixed incomes, you might have the same discomfort. How do you inspire people to...
Rob Rucci Shares his Heart on Working through Church Controversy
Rob Rucci, pastor at Upcountry Church in Traveler's Rest, SC, shares his heart and story about working through church controversy. Dealing with change in the church can lead to controversy. How do you deal with church controversy without becoming embittered and angry?...
Filtering Through All the Voices to Find God’s
It’s been said that God gave us two ears and one mouth so that we will listen twice as much as we talk. However, pastors probably need about ten or twelve ears in order to best function. (And no, that’s not a joke about how long their sermons are!) Because they...
So Your Child No Longer Wants To Attend Church
All parents know children go through various stages (and attitudes), and sometimes a child might say he or she wants to stop attending church. What is a parent supposed to do in that situation? I remember a time when a particular church member was upset because her...
Hey, Pastor! It’s Time To Plan A Getaway!
At the beginning of each year, I begin thinking about planning a week for my pastor husband and me to get away to unplug and rejuvenate. In our experience, a staycation is not an option—we need to leave town. But where does a pastor take his family for a break from...
Mutual Submissiveness
Training seminars and textbooks galore focus on how to lead with compassion, understanding, and authority. What about those who do not serve in a leadership capacity? Are these followers simple sheep, witlessly trailing wherever the leader decides to direct? Or are...
Solving Conflicts When Tensions Are High
As today's political climate heats up, we've got to learn how to deal with a certain amount of tension in the air. Conflict in the church takes on various forms. Sometimes the conflict surrounds something the pastor has done, or hasn’t done, or someone thinks he...
4 Ways to Increase Giving in your Church by MyCom
Money can be a touchy subject, especially when we start talking about how churches can increase donations. People often fear the stereotype of the church that “always” is begging for money. However, the reality is that people want to give to your church and God calls...
Got Guilt Over NOT Being an Insanely Busy Pastor?
There are many stereotypes people have concerning pastors: They do not make much money (unless they pastor a megachurch, in which they then make too much money). Most of their week is spent studying and memorizing the next sermon. They are definitely Type B...
Why Vacation Bible School Is Vital
I have good memories of Vacation Bible School. When I was growing up, it was held in the daytime, mainly because more moms stayed home with their children and could teach VBS during the day. I remember marching through the front doors of the church to “Crown Him with...
Change The World. Become Stephen.
I just want to change the world. That’s it. Nothing more. So… who’s with me? Have you ever considered the life of one of the boldest preachers in history? He was of such significance that God gave him a place in Scripture, a testimony for all time, because of his...
Finding Affordable Speakers and Bands
Though the gospel may be free, groceries and rent are not, and more and more gifted speakers and musicians are having to increase their booking fees to amounts that the average church pastor would get laughed out of a deacon’s meeting if he proposed paying it for a...
Author & Pastor Larry Osborne Shares His Secrets for Success
Larry Osborne has served as a Senior Pastor at North Coast Church in Vista, California since 1980. The church has grown from 128 to over 11,000 in weekend attendance. Larry’s books include Thriving in Babylon, Innovation’s Dirty Little Secret, Accidental Pharisees,...
9 Must-Read Biblical Fiction Titles For Pastors
If you are looking for a good escape that can also feed your spiritual hunger, biblical fiction could be your answer. Just what is biblical fiction? First, it is speculative fiction that uses Christian themes and incorporates the Christian worldview, however varied...
Three Strikes For Tough Teens in the Church
I love the kids my husband has had the privilege of pastoring, no matter their ages, and many a child has gone through one of my Wednesday night classes. Some of the children who gave me grief in their elementary school years have grown to be sweet, loving teenagers....
Bishop Quigg Lawrence Shares the Worries He’s Experienced in Church Finances
Quigg Lawrence, Bishop of Church of the Holy Spirit, talks about church finances while opening up about his family’s financial struggles when he was a boy. This, among other things, has led him to the important realization that satan can gain a foothold where there is...
Dealing with Addiction as a Grace-Filled Church
Though it typically is thought to be in reference to alcohol, drugs, and, lately, pornography, the term addiction truly refers to an almost unlimited list of habits that negatively affect a person and/or the people around him or her. In addition to these, people in...
