Tag «Monday/Wednesday Featured»

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…

The post Why the “Fishbowl” of Ministry is Not a Bad Thing, and One Step to Consider appeared first on Church Answers.

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.

The post The Deacons Every Pastor (Should) Love appeared first on Church Answers.

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…

The post Why Pastors Struggle to Ask for Help (And How to Get Past It) appeared first on Church Answers.

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…

The post The Most Surprising Issue about Church Facilities appeared first on Church Answers.

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…

The post 8 Reasons Some Young People Are Walking away from Their Faith appeared first on Church Answers.

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…

The post One Key Reason Why Church Consultations Fail appeared first on Church Answers.

10 Fresh Pastoral Prayers for the New Year

Before you launch your New Year ministry plan, begin with prayer. How might you pray to start the year? Passion for people, not numbers. You should track your numbers and know your metrics. Yes, each number represents a person. I get it. But you don’t shepherd numbers. If you struggle with caring more about numbers…

The post 10 Fresh Pastoral Prayers for the New Year appeared first on Church Answers.

10 True-False Statements on the State of Churches and Denominations in America

This week we will have a major announcement about Church Answers taking a bigger step into the world of Christian and church research. Stay tuned for it. In the meantime, let’s look at ten statements connected with current research on Christianity, churches, and denominations. Before you look at the answers, see how many you get…

The post 10 True-False Statements on the State of Churches and Denominations in America appeared first on Church Answers.

Staying Put: The Increasing Significance (and Growing Desire) of Longer-Term Pastorates

During the 1800s frontier era of church expansion in the United States, a one-year contract to pastor a church was relatively common. If the church liked the pastor, an extension might be granted for another year but not much beyond. As America expanded westward, communities grew, and new churches popped up. Moving on after a…

The post Staying Put: The Increasing Significance (and Growing Desire) of Longer-Term Pastorates appeared first on Church Answers.