In the Bible, Paul says of his pastoral ministry, “I magnify my office” (Rom. 11:13, KJV). Pastor, do you magnify your office? Paul’s example and instruction is not just for professional church pastors — though it’s especially for them! — it’s for all of Christ’s ambassadors. So let me re-ask the question: Bible teacher, small…
My hope in this article is to show the Biblical support for women to serve as pastors, elders, and other church or ministry leaders (whether professional or lay) and that qualified women will be given more opportunities for Christian leadership.
If your church isn’t growing numerically or in spiritual depth or if it has been torn apart by conflict a major reason may be the neglect of Sabbath. It’s through continual Sabbath rest that we learn to trust God, waiting on his leadership and joining his work — rather than trying to control people and…
One night as C. S. Lewis slept, a lion bounded into his dream. He wasn’t scared as much as he was blessed. Later, he named the lion “Aslan.” Then a wardrobe door opened into the wonderful world of Narnia — for 100 million people! You never know when a door to Narnia may open. “Jack”…
It seems everybody loves Saint Francis. But few really know him. We like our garden statues of a somber man holding a bird, but this is not the real Francis of Assisi from the 12th Century. Instead, picture an energetic and jovial little man, known in his day as “God’s Jongluer.” Before coming to Christ…
Reconciling after a breach of relationship requires that you move toward the other with God’s love. This is true in all relationships, including if you were hurt by a parent, pastor, or other leader who should be the one to make the first move. My experience with repairing conflicts is that usually in retrospect both…
“I was forced to resign from my church.” 78% of pastors say this. Often these pastors leave their church hurt and angry, afraid their career and calling are ruined. Ken Baugh, former lead pastor of Coast Hills Community Church felt this way two years ago. (In last week’s email devotional I told his story: “Finding…
Empathy. Tender-hearted concern for our feelings. We all need it — especially when we’re hurting. But sometimes we lose touch with our heart’s need. “I was burned out and didn’t know it,” lead pastor Ken Baugh reflects. “I was so depleted of my own energy that I had just enough to get from weekend to…
Have you ever been bullied by a group? Or felt ganged up on? Maybe it wasn’t intended by them, but you felt abused? I have. So have some of the pastors and influencers we help. So has Jesus… Lord Jesus, I see you on your cross journey. A whole gang of soldiers is gathered around…
It would seem that Pastor Pete Wilson had a great life. Look at his family. Look at his church. He planted Cross Point in Nashville, TN in 2002 and it grew to six campuses and 7,500 people. It’s one of the fastest growing churches in America. He launched innovative ministries, sharing the love of Christ…