Articles
Break Up with Writer’s Block
You’ve been sitting there, staring at your screen for the last half-hour. And all you can think about is coffee…and when you’re supposed to get your oil changed again, and what you’ll eat for dinner…except that you’re supposed to be writing your next sermon. Welcome...
The Importance of Prioritizing
Pastoring is tough business. How, as a pastor, do you keep the Lord happy, your spouse happy, your kids happy, and your congregation happy (and if you’re part of a denomination, headquarters happy)—all while making sure you’re healthy and happy too? Well, that’s the...
The Pastor’s Children in Church
When my husband was getting ready to graduate from seminary, he was asked to visit a rural church in view of a call to be the pastor. It was to be a weekend visit, which included my husband meeting with various groups: the pastor search committee, the volunteer music...
The Power of Humility
I love movies – especially redemptive movies with plenty of action and a storyline that captivates the imagination. There are some basic themes that go into these types of epic tales. One of those themes – the “bad guy” must be sufficiently arrogant. Yet, in the...
They’re Saying “God Isn’t Fixing This”
A nationally recognized newspaper recently said of the latest tragedy, “God Isn’t Fixing This”…and the people in your ministry are angry. They’re ranting on Facebook and other social media. They want all the so-called “godless liberals who are destroying our country”...
Countdown to Christmas Giveaway
All through the month of December we'll be giving away great gifts including Bibles, books, and CDs from popular Christian authors and artists. All the fun is happening on the Pastor Resources Facebook page, so if you haven't already, visit our Facebook page and share...
Where Is God?
Why do bad things happen? What can we say in the light of the almost weekly news of shootings on a large scale? The problem isn’t new to the 21st century. In the 13th century BC, Egypt’s Pharaoh wasn't happy that the Hebrews were growing in numbers. He made them...
Twelve “Rocket Engines” of Successful Ministry
I watched in horror as the televised explosion of the space shuttle Challenger played again and again on the special news report. Only moments after Challenger’s apparently successful launch, something went terribly wrong. It started out as just a little problem, but...
No Small Churches
I am under the impression that there are some in the wide world of God’s kingdom who view the size of a congregation as the empirical test of spiritual power and prestige. Somehow the idea that “bigger is better” has crept into the mindset of those who see the church...
4 Ways To Cope with Criticism
None of us likes to be criticized, but few, if any, of us will go through life without experiencing criticism. In fact, the more we stand up for something, the more we will be criticized. So how do we handle criticism when it comes our way? Here are 4 tips that may...
Intentional Worship With Your Family
Who do you worship with on Sunday morning? Your answer to that question might be a variety of options. You worship with your church family. Your pastoral staff. The choir or praise team. Certainly you probably worship alone, just you and God. But did you actually...
10 Bible Verses on Thankfulness
1. James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning 2. Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,...
What Might God’s “Top Ten Thankful List” Include?
How many lists of “things I’m thankful for” have you seen this week? Of course, we’re thankful for family and friends and food and clothing and shelter and salvation. And of course, pastors and ministry leaders are thankful for the privilege of sharing the good news...
A Season For Thankfulness
As vital as it is, being thankful is tough on the best of days. And it’s not because you aren’t thankful for your life and all your blessings. You just have so much going on that between finishing your paperwork, stopping by to see a church member on your way home,...
An Evangelistic Culture in Your Church
What’s needed in our churches today is an evangelistic culture. This is not something that happens naturally; it happens supernaturally. Things always default to mediocrity—never to quality. That’s true of businesses, restaurants, stores, and even the church. If you...
6 Ways To Get Control Of Your Paperwork
Today, a lot of our world is digital. But somehow, that hasn't eliminated those pesky piles of paper that build up day after day. When so many of our systems are electronic, it's hard to know how to wrangle the mess. Here tips from highly-organized...
10 Ways To Take Your Mind Off Of Work
After 20 years in pastoral ministry, my husband learned that if a pastor doesn’t rest his mind, take care of his body, and detach from work regularly he will very quickly burn out. After experiencing burnout twice, resulting in two separate year-long (unpaid)...
5 Signs You Should Consider Counseling
As a Pastor’s wife, I felt pretty sure there was an unwritten rule; “Don’t go for counseling.” My excuses were plenty; “We’re in ministry. Aren’t we supposed to have our act together? What will people think? Who needs all that “psycho-babble”? My excuses all sounded...
The Perfect Potluck Chili For Busy Pastors
OK, call me sexist if you will, but it’s a fact: the majority of cooks are women. They just are. Like it or not, there are just not as many men in the kitchen as there are women. And that’s not necessarily a problem, but it sure can be. Especially if you’re a pastor,...
Lessons From Translating The Bible
I worked for a major publisher for many years. For seven of those years, I was given a grand opportunity that most people never experience. I was the associate editor for a new Bible translation. It was my responsibility to manage the editorial part of the translation...
