Five Keys to an Effective Evangelism Strategy

Five Keys to an Effective Evangelism Strategy

How many people have you invited to church in the last week? The last month? The last year? I’ll be honest, for me the answer would be not near enough. But in my defense, I generally see the same 3-5 people each week in my small town, and they all have a home church....
Stand-off

Stand-off

“Stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18b BSB) My son, Paul Jr., was a fairly mild mannered boy growing up. Though sometimes an instigator of mischief toward his older sisters, he tended to “turn the other cheek” when...
We Were Created For Worship

We Were Created For Worship

I notice that when I put on praise and worship music and spend some time listening and singing the words, and take time to focus on God and thank Him for loving me and for all of His countless blessings in my life, it changes my whole day for the better. I think I...
Prayer: A Ritual or a Relationship?

Prayer: A Ritual or a Relationship?

Are you satisfied with your prayer life? Does time alone with God in prayer hold the highest priority in your day, or does it get pushed aside by the urgent? Are you just saying words, or are you pouring out your heart to the Father? To be honest, most of us struggle...
3 Questions Every Small Town Pastor Should be Asking

3 Questions Every Small Town Pastor Should be Asking

Do you remember the Robert Frost poem “The Road Not Taken?” The premise is in life we have choices, and sometimes choosing to take the road less traveled can make all the difference. Today, I was looking through some old notebooks of mine and came across some thoughts...
Gifts

Gifts

“However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.” (Ephesian 4:7 NLT) I have a friend that is one of the best speakers I’ve ever heard. He has an uncanny ability to explain the most complex theology is concise, simple, and often,...
Preventing Pastoral Stress and Burnout

Preventing Pastoral Stress and Burnout

    Serving the local church as a pastor is a calling, and on the best days, there’s nothing more fulfilling than leading a congregation into deeper relationship with God. But, on other days, we pastors face challenges that are unique to our individual...
God’s Grace in Using Your Free Will for the Better

God’s Grace in Using Your Free Will for the Better

Decide never to misuse or abuse your free will to indulge in your fallen human nature. In the physical world, falling is easier than climbing. Climbing takes effort; to fall, all you have to do is let go. Because of the law of gravity, the natural state of any object...