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Let me be honest with you. I’m busy. Too busy, in fact. I go to bed with things to do on my mind, and I wake up with even more things to do on my mind. Somedays it feels like I’m on the proverbial hamster wheel, wearing myself out while getting nowhere. In the midst…
The post A Simple Way for Leaders to Start the Day with God appeared first on Church Answers.
We have written and presented numerous insights and information about the effects of the pandemic on churches. I even wrote a small book called The Post Quarantine Church. The essence of our information was straightforward: negative church trends were accelerated and exacerbated in the pandemic and for the several months after churches regathered in-person. In…
The post Five New Challenges for the “Post-Post” Pandemic Church appeared first on Church Answers.
The real estate market is encouraging some pastors to stay put. For now. Rising interest rates produce a “golden handcuff” effect on the housing market. Golden handcuffs refer to a set of financial incentives that employers use to encourage certain employees to remain with a company. These incentives are typically tied to some conditions that…
The post The New Golden Handcuffs for Pastors (It’s Mortgage Rates) appeared first on Church Answers.
This question and its ensuing discussion continues. Do I really need to be a member of a church? We need to first separate the concept of church membership from other types of organizational membership. Church membership is not like civic club membership, even though many civic organizations do have altruistic purposes. Church membership is definitely…
The post Do I Really Need to Be a Member of a Church? appeared first on Church Answers.
I had the privilege of hosting a podcast episode featuring the incredible Kay Warren, where we delved into life, leadership, and the art of finishing well after decades of leadership. One particular remark she shared has been playing on repeat in my mind ever since our talk. I asked her for some advice to pass…
The post Finishing Well: Navigating Leadership with the End in Mind appeared first on Church Answers.
They inevitably find their way into my office, excited about God’s calling on their lives. I’ve had several conversations with people wanting advice about attending a seminary (or a similar institution). God has called them to ministry. They feel seminary will add clarity to this calling. Perhaps. But before a seminary education can help with…
The post Making the Decision to Go to Seminary: Six Considerations Before Going appeared first on Church Answers.
I’ve worked with students and graduates in their first pastorates for almost three decades. Over the years, I’ve often asked them, “What’s most surprised you about the work of pastoring?” In no order of priority, here are some of their responses: “How hard it is to prepare a sermon week after week.” What was so…
The post 10 Things that Surprise Rookie Pastors appeared first on Church Answers.
One of the most common challenges we hear from church leaders, particularly pastors, is the need for more leaders in the church. The vacuum seems the greatest among elders, deacons, and teachers. Many churches lost not only members in this post-pandemic world, but they also lost leaders as well. Of course, it is likely that…
The post The Great Leadership Shortage in Churches: Five Ways to Address It appeared first on Church Answers.
Gossip is a destructive force in the church. Once the rumors of gossip spread, it’s hard to correct if they are false. Even if partially true, gossip is always wrong because what is shared is inappropriate and hurtful. Gossip fosters an environment of distrust and suspicion. Instead of focusing on productive work or conversations, individuals…
The post How to Discern If a Church Member Is Guilty of Gossip appeared first on Church Answers.
One of the greatest joys of my life is working with pastors. At Church Answers, we hear from tens of thousands of pastors every year. Most of these church leaders are unknown to the world except for their immediate church and, perhaps, their community. The pastors I know serve selflessly. Most of them are grossly…
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