Entries by Tony Cooke

Vacation Opportunities for Pastors Compiled by Dr. Dan Beller

Arkaios, a Greek word meaning “beginning point”, is to be a place that seeks to serve and glorify Christ by renewing, refreshing and restoring the body, mind and spirit of those currently serving in full or part- time ministry anywhere around the world. For more information, contact Jeff or Mary Lee Meter at the phone number listed above. …read more

Understanding a Pastor’s Call by Pastor Mark Garver

Before pastoring, Mark traveled to several foreign countries, where he saw the hand of God move mightily. Besides pastoring the congregation, he has a heart to train up leaders in the Body of Christ.  Mark is known for his sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. The Lord regularly gives him songs, hymns and spiritual songs that always bless and encourage the people. …read more

Unsigned Notes by Dr. Dave Williams

Your enemy loves to work in a shroud of secrecy. He likes to keep his tactics hidden. And people who use these “secret note strategies” are operating in an occult activity without realizing it. They are infantile in their faith and don’t know any better. Some think they are doing God a favor, without realizing the nature of the spirit that is actually motivating them. …read more

Two Kinds of Ministry: Professional and Relational By Rodney Lloyd

Two years ago we met Alfie Fabe of Mitchells Plain. He is an apostolic father to many in several nations. In the twenty minutes of our first meeting, one thing he said that struck a cord in my heart was, “There are two kinds of ministry: professional and relational.” Since then, I have contemplated this much and discussed it with Alfie and others. I have had a passion to be the latter, having been the former for many years. …read more

Successfully Transitioning in Ministry by Bob Hoover

It took some time to see the congregation grab hold of the vision that God had given me. The church started before my wife and I had come there, and after we arrived it began to grow because of many committed people. Our Sunday morning services grew between 400-500 people, driving from an hour radius. …read more

The Truth About Temptation by Pastor Mark Garver

The more we understand what sin is all about and how it works, the better equipped we are to break free from its control. Actually, people usually don’t like to talk about sin, and yet, understanding how it works gives us the advantage and the power to get free from it. Turning on the lights always chases away the darkness. …read more

The Top Five Tax and Personal Finance “Myths” for Pastors By Mark Helland, CPA

Over the course of my career in working directly with pastors on their tax and personal finances I have seen a few “myths” that repeatedly come up in conversation and in practice. While I have seen other myths/misunderstandings of U.S. tax law in practice, the frequency of encountering the five “myths” listed below has led me proclaim these to be my personal “top five”. …read more

Tough Times Don’t Last by Pastor Tim Gilligan

In this world, one thing is certain: there will be tough times. No one is immune to the pressures, problems and challenges of life. Relationship struggles, financial challenges, health concerns, and family problems are part of living in this world. …read more

Tips for the Second Generation by Pastor Joel Sims

It is an honor to be talking to you. I have gleaned much from Rev. Tony Cooke and the resources on this site. So it is a pleasure to help be a supply any way we can be. I suppose anyone in ministry could take something away from this article, but it is particularly designed for pastors taking over existing works. …read more

10 Things Every Pastor Should Know Before They Build

This article is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is shared with the understanding that neither the author nor Tony Cooke Ministries is engaged in rendering legal, accounting, psychological, medical or other professional services. …read more

Overlooked Tax Saving Strategies for Tax Season by Mark Helland

Health savings accounts (“HSA’s”) are available to taxpayers who are enrolled in a high deductible health plan. In effect, the health savings account works in tandem with your health insurance plan but provides a separate savings component. Annual amounts established by the IRS can be contributed to the health savings account with an “above the line” tax deduction being available for the contribution. …read more

Condemnation and Conviction: The Vital Difference by Keith Trump

Certain words have, in addition to merely waltzing across the stage of time, actually propelled the script of history. In particular, the interplay between two meaning-dense words can create something like a grammatical nuclear reaction; the waves of which touch every level of human existence. …read more

Tax Q & A’s for Churches and Ministries by Mark Helland

Questions with common themes tend to come up from time to time in the day-to-day operations of churches and ministries. I thought it would be helpful for my tax and accounting article this month to focus on some frequently asked questions that can be tricky to navigate correctly. …read more

Tax Credits for Churches and Ministries? by Mark Helland CPA

This article is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is shared with the understanding that neither the author nor Tony Cooke Ministries is engaged in rendering legal, accounting, psychological, medical or other professional services. Laws and regulations are continually changing, and can vary according to location and time. No representation is made that the information herein is applicable for all locations and times. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. …read more

Taking a Break From The Pastor’s Weekly Briefing

A national survey in 2001 of more than 2,500 Christian religious leaders conducted by Duke Divinity School showed that 76 percent of Christian clergy were either overweight or obese, 15 percentage points higher than for the general U.S. population. And other research has shown that clergy across all faiths are succumbing to higher rates of obesity, hypertension, diabetes and other ailments than their congregants. …read more

Supernatural Adventures in God by Jeanne Cook

Supernatural Adventures in God Jeanne Cook Rev. Dennis and Jeanne Cook, have been missionaries in the Darien jungle of Panama, Central America since 1981. Their four grown children, Christopher, Jennifer, […]

Stop Complaining by Pastor Steve Roll

Stop Complaining Pastor Steve Roll Steve Roll is a gifted pastor, counselor, author, consultant and motivator with over thirty years of ministry experience.  His ministry specializes in restoration and renewal […]

Successful Church Finances by Pastor Dave Williams

Successful Church Finances Pastor Dave Williams Dr. Dave Williams, D. Min. is pastor of Mount Hope Church and International Outreach Ministries in Lansing, Michigan. Under his leadership, the church has […]

Staying on Course by Virgil Stokes

Staying on Course Virgil Stokes Virgil Stokes is a Pastor and Teacher, serving churches since 1980 in Oklahoma, New York, and Arizona. He and his wife, Judy, pioneered Faith Christian […]