Dec 10, 2019 | Inspiration, Podcast
It will be very difficult to embark (and remain) on a journey of transformation if we do not have confidence that we are already loved as we currently are. We don’t change so that we’ll be loved more by God. We are measurelessly loved by God, so we are...
Dec 5, 2019 | Inspiration, Podcast
Many years ago the seminary where I attended had invited a guest speaker to preach at one of the chapel services. While I don’t remember anything about his subject I remember something he said in passing: “I have heard a lot of Pharisee frogs in my...
Dec 4, 2019 | Perspectives, Podcast
I’ve been pretty lucky in ministry. Over the years I’ve only had to fire a handful of staff and volunteers. It’s the least enjoyable part of my job but also one of the most important. And if you’re a pastor, it’s one of your most important jobs. Allowing a person to...
Dec 3, 2019 | Perspectives, Podcast
I was saved as a teenager in the mid-seventies in a small church in a small town in southwest Missouri. Almost immediately I was taught doctrine. Even before I really knew what it was. The English word “doctrine” derives from the old Latin word “doctor”...
Nov 29, 2019 | Missions, Podcast
Experts have studied how many times humans must be exposed to something in order for it to stick. One author says, “The rule of seven is an old marketing adage. It says that a prospect needs to see or hear your marketing message at least seven times...
Nov 25, 2019 | Inspiration, Podcast
To reveal or not to reveal? Should our lives be an open book? Self-disclosure is definitely a risk, but sometimes a risk worth taking. Pastor Mike “bragged” about his short-term memory loss, treating his condition as inconsequential and refused to ask...
Nov 22, 2019 | Inspiration, Podcast
All pastors and church leaders worth their salt say they care about disadvantaged and disenfranchised people. In many cases, however, their actual ministry strategy is designed primarily to increase the number of people attending weekend services. The...
Nov 21, 2019 | Perspectives, Podcast
The front cover of Rev. W. S. Harris’ 1904 classic book Sermons by the Devil 1 is decorated with a drawing of a devil-like man gesturing from behind a pulpit. Harris selected the image because he knew that with the exception of our Lord Jesus Christ,...
Nov 20, 2019 | Pastor's Life, Podcast
According to recent statistics, from LifeWay Research, the average tenure for a senior pastor in the U.S. is only about 4-6 years. Translated that means that there are a lot of pastors out there with four to six years of experience many times...
