Tag «Church Answers»

Why the “Fishbowl” of Ministry is Not a Bad Thing, and One Step to Consider

I had been a pastor for about ten months when the adult daughter of church members—a daughter who did not attend our church—stopped me for a brief conversation in a local grocery store. I had bought a home in that neighborhood a few months before. To my surprise, the daughter said to me, “I drive…

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The Deacons Every Pastor (Should) Love

While churches and denominations have varying viewpoints on the role of deacons due to polity differences, what should be universal is how pastors place a high value on deacons who serve well. I don’t often come across posts from pastors praising their deacons. That’s why I’m writing this one. My deacons are not just the “other office of the church;” they are people with whom I entrust the most sensitive and critical parts of ministry within our congregation. Here are some of the deacons every pastor should love.

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An Update on Rooted: One of the Best Discipleship Resources I’ve Ever Seen

In January of 2022, I wrote an article on one of the best church resources I’ve ever seen. At that time, I shared about Rooted and how it offers a clear, transformational pathway for a disciple to become more like Jesus and make an impact in their church and community. In the two years since…

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Artificial Intelligence: Is There a Right Way for Pastors to Use AI to Create Sermons?

Plagiarism. That was my gut reaction the first time I heard about artificial intelligence. My visceral response was oversimplified and hyperbolic. The tool has enormous potential for good, but I remain more cautious about AI than optimistic. How mig…

Why Pastors Struggle to Ask for Help (And How to Get Past It)

“It took me too long, but I finally decided to get the help I needed.” My first coaching call with this pastor was like so many others. This pastor shouldered the leadership burden without much support for years. Then tensions built in his church, and he could not take the added pressure. Frankly, no one…

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The Most Surprising Issue about Church Facilities

Don’t get too bored reading about church facilities. You will become interested when it’s time for a major building program. You will be interested when you have to pay a big sum of money because little to no maintenance has been done on your church facilities. You will definitely desire to know more about church…

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8 Reasons Some Young People Are Walking away from Their Faith

It’s alarming to me, actually. As a pastor and as a professor, I’ve had to deal with young people who were raised in seemingly strong Christian homes, yet who’ve now turned away from their Christian upbringing. Frankly, I’m grateful that some of these young people still trust me enough to talk to me—and in those…

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One Key Reason Why Church Consultations Fail

I did my first church consultation in 1988. Since then, I have been involved in hundreds of consultations of different ilk and varying depth. I am not the brightest person, but I can lead a church consultation with ease. I am glad, because we had more consultation requests in 2023 than I have ever seen…

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When You’re Starting on Empty: How to Start a New Year with Little To Give

As the calendar turns, and a new year unfolds before us, leaders will often find themselves sorting through an inbox of messages around goal setting, how to cast the perfect vision for the new year and five quick steps to a ‘successful’ impact. These are not bad and are often helpful in sparking passion, precision–and…

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Best-Selling Bible Translations: The Breathtaking Decline of the King James Version

It is a fascinating journey to watch the trends of Bible translations, particularly the sales and presumed popularity of each translation. These trends often reflect cultural shifts, changes in religious practice, and the evolving language needs of …