I confess that I don’t always take care of myself as I should. I have to work hard to maintain a healthy weight, keep my blood pressure down, etc. As a Christian, I see this issue of exercise and bodily well-being as more a spiritual one than a physical one.
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Do you have any goals for your prayer life? C. S. Lewis once said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
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Does it ever feel like your leadership team struggles to stay focused during the summer months? Do vacations and Vacation Bible Schools disrupt church leadership rhythms, shifting everyone into September survival mode? Have you ever wished away Memorial Day in an effort to sustain effectiveness and engagement?
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Why is “retiring” such a scary word for so many ministers? I’ve written before about preparing for retirement, proposing three reasons pastors avoid the subject: fear of boredom, obsolescence, and financial failure. Now, I want to revisit retirement through the lenses of our faith and God’s faithfulness.
We make a grave mistake when we neglect prayer as a significant missionary tool. When William Carey, the father of modern missions, sensed God’s call to the mission field, he told his friend, Andrew Fuller, “I will go down into the pit if you will hold the ropes.” The same request is on the lips of missionaries today. Will you hold the ropes in prayer?
The connection between Christmas and the nations is deeper than the general drive for generosity that occurs every year around the holidays. Generosity and compassion are good. But our prayers and giving to international missions aren’t rooted in a general desire to practice these things. Rather, they find a deep root in the Christmas story itself.
Christmas Eve is one of the most attended services of the year, giving pastors a unique opportunity to clearly and creatively communicate the Gospel. It’s a special opportunity when guests and regular members come with expectant hearts. Here are seven tips to help your church be known for something impactful: presenting the timeless gospel message of Jesus in a fresh, memorable way.
Leadership growth and development happens when we evaluate our experiences with thought-provoking questions. Here are five questions that may prove helpful as you evaluate your ministry leadership from this past year.
I’ve studied and written about spiritual warfare for more than 30 years now. In fact, you can study the topic with me through the Church Answers “Church Equip” course, “Engaging in Spiritual Warfare.” In some ways, that short course reflects the core of what I’ve taught over the years.
Each year, Southern Baptists kick off December by observing a Week of Prayer for International Missions before the annual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering emphasis. This week, as believers learn about missionaries serving around the world, the call is to pray for those faithfully sharing the gospel through international missions.
As I’ve thought about how to help churches thrive, I want to suggest five steps that might help your church thrive in 2025.
Christmas can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, we usually give gifts that don’t last anyway. This Christmas, give one of these gifts to someone that doesn't cost any money.
Christmas time is here … almost. What are you doing to lead your church or small group/Bible study to maximize the Christmas season? Will we have just another Christmas, or are we intentionally and strategically planning for gospel impact?
A sincere pastor asked me this question: If I only had to measure and follow five church metrics, what would be my top five choices?
