Ministry
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This was a title of a book I picked up several years ago, probably skimmed through, but have not fully read. But the title fits my thoughts today. Pastoring is not science. Church ministry is not science. We can’t plug in numbers, figures, patterns, formulas, or anything else and get cookie cutter results. We try.… Read more
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Joel at Unsettled Christianity has a tremendous idea. A fellow blogger (and fellow AOG minister for me) has had a tragedy. You can read about it here. I want to join Joel and then ask for one more consideration. Joel’s idea is to get on Brian’s wishlist and send him a book. GREAT idea! My… Read more
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Michael Hyatt has a couple of great posts regarding leadership. The first post is on the four temptations a leaders faces. The final one stood out to me: The temptation of popularity. We live in a world that places a high value on fame and “personal branding.” We seem to have a list for everything,… Read more
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I have to make a confession. While I dearly love my friends in ministry, going to a ministers retreat has challenges. It is the challenge of fighting the thought, “I’m not doing enough.” There are a LOT of things I could dive into on that one thought, but I want to leave it there. Others… Read more
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Being refreshed by the Spirit comes several ways for me. I am refreshed by the Word. I LOVE reading, studying, and praying through the Word of God. It lifts my prayer life and calls me higher. I am also refreshed by incredible friends. Our time at the Ministers Retreat was refreshing because of great conversations… Read more
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These past few days my wife and I attended our district’s ministers retreat. We had not been able to attend in several years and it was so enjoyable to be back. The event is marked by great preaching and a lot of time to spend with dear friends. This year was marked by the opportunity… Read more
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I am studying 1 Corinthians 1 for my Sunday messages and it is just kicking my tail! J.R. Daniel Kirk has been working the text at workingpreacher.org and his thoughts on this passage are helpful to me. Well, helpful in a “tail kicking” kind of way… The challenge is found in God using the foolish… Read more
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Two interesting passages of Scripture came together for my reading during prayer this morning. The first was Genesis 16. It’s the story of Abraham settling for Hagar for an heir. He had just received the powerful covenant from Yahweh in Gen. 15… and goes right out and tries to figure things out on his own.… Read more
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In an interview with Billy Graham, they asked if he could go back and do anything over, what would it be? His answer is interesting: Yes, of course. I’d spend more time at home with my family, and I’d study more and preach less. I wouldn’t have taken so many speaking engagements, including some of… Read more
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This week I am preaching from 1 Corinthians 1:10-18. Some initial thoughts: What a passage to meditate on in our current political climate! “I am of Barack Obama.” “I am of Sarah Palin.” “I am of the Constitution of the United States.” We live divided. I wish we could do better in the United States.… Read more
Apprentice 2 Jesus 