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Avoiding the Seven Deadly Sins of Public Speaking by Pastor Jim Herring

October 15, 2014 in /by

We all like to hear a powerful and moving message—one that touches our heart and challenges us to reach new heights and greater goals. However, we have all been the unfortunate victims of a poorly planned and executed message. This can be a mind-numbing and torturous event. In order to prevent unnecessary suffering on the part of our future listeners, I submit the seven major public speaking mistakes that people make. … read more

Four Things Pastors Should Know About Restoration

October 15, 2014 in /by

As a pastor, have you ever been so worn out in your work, that as my quick-witted grandfather used to say, “I am too pooped to pot? ?’ You are probably saying I have been there, done that and don’t want any more of those tee shirts! Ministry can make ministers bone weary and dog-tired! The spiritual/emotional drain on pastors is never ending. … read more

25 Ways to Ride a Dead Horse

October 15, 2014 in /by

Many variations of “How to Ride a Dead Horse” have appeared, especially on the internet, and I don’t know who the original author is. We’ve rewritten and adapted this slightly for churches, but every organization (whether it’s business, government, educational institutions, etc.) can have a tendency to hold on to old forms long after their effectiveness has diminished or ceased entirely. … read more

2011 Tax Saving Ideas for Pastors By Mark Helland, CPA

October 15, 2014 in /by

I know it is hard to believe, but we are only a month away from the end of 2011 which means that the Christmas will be here before we know it. While shopping for Christmas gifts and all the other festivities of the season are at the top of everyone’s mind during this time of year, it is also a great time to take some proactive steps to reduce your income tax liability. … read more

Yearning to Connect

October 15, 2014 in /by

Have you ever taught what you believed was a good message… you knew that the content was good, but it just didn’t seem to “connect” with the people? I don’t know about you, but I’ve found myself frustrated on several occasions feeling like I’d shared good information, but it didn’t seem I’d really done an adequate job of expressing it in a relevant, practical way that truly connected with the hearts of the listeners. …read more

Why Am I So Tired?

October 15, 2014 in /by

If you are a pastor, are you feeling overwhelmed by all the expectations and demands of ministry? Do you need to take some tangible steps toward personal health and wholeness? If you are a church member who cares about your pastor, are you doing what you can do to make sure that your pastor is receiving all the help and support necessary for him or her to do the job well? …read more

Wesley vs. Whitfield: Brothers in Conflict

October 15, 2014 in /by

If you dig a bit deeper into the historical record, you discover that these two great preachers, even though they had been close friends at Oxford, were often in sharp disagreement with each other. Wesley held strongly to Arminian beliefs (emphasizing free will), while Whitfield was a Calvinist (emphasizing predestination). Both men led countless thousands to faith in Christ, but they were at odds theologically. …read more

Two Observations About Pastors

October 15, 2014 in /by

We consistently see a yearning in pastors for greater results. Every pastor wishes there were more people in attendance. If they have 50 people, they want 100. If they have 500, they want 1,000. If they have 5,000, they want 10,000. In addition to the desire for greater quantity, every pastor desires greater quality in the spiritual lives of their people. …read more

Style vs. Substance

October 15, 2014 in /by

There is a great need in this day for ministers to differentiate between the negotiable and the non-negotiable, between style and substance. I love the statement from Thomas Jefferson: “In matters of style, swim with the current. In matters of principle, stand like a rock.” Solomon was focusing on the aspects which should not change when he said, “Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set” (Proverbs 22:28). …read more

Will Your Church Survive the Branding?

October 15, 2014 in /by

A New York family bought a ranch out west where they intended to raise cattle. Friends came to visit and asked if the ranch had a name. “Well,” said the would-be-cattleman, “I wanted to call it the Bar-J, my wife favored the Suzy-Q, one son liked the Flying-W, and the other son wanted the Lazy-Y. So, we’re calling it the “Bar-J-Suzy-Q-Flying-W-Lazy-Y.”…read more

Staying Spiritually Fit

October 15, 2014 in /by

We know that ministry has its challenges, and we trust that you are abounding in grace as you work for Him. I remember hearing one minister say that the requirements for ministry are: the heart of a child, the mind of a scholar, and the hide of a rhinoceros. Speaking of the toughness that ministry requires, Martin Luther once said, “A preacher must be both soldier and shepherd. He must nourish, defend, and teach; he must have teeth in his mouth and be able to bite and fight.” …read more

Digging Out Your Stopped-Up Wells

October 15, 2014 in /by

In Genesis 26, we read about how God greatly prospered Isaac. But the blessings he experienced were not received without challenges. Genesis 26:15 says that, “…the Philistines had stopped up all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, and they had filled them with earth. …read more

Who is Setting the Pace for Your Ministry?

October 15, 2014 in /by

As a good “pastor” and father, Jacob knew he couldn’t drive his flock and his children just to keep up with the expectations of Esau. He wasn’t going to allow a sense of comparison and competitiveness to dictate the way he discharged his responsibilities as a leader. He then stated that he would have to establish a pace that was best for those under his care. …read more

Ten Traits of Spiritual Fathers

October 15, 2014 in /by

A few years ago when I was preparing to teach at an overseas ministers’ conference, the host missionary asked if I could teach not only on “How to be a Timothy,” but also along the lines of “How to be a Paul.” He explained that there was a significant rift in his country between spiritual fathers and spiritual sons. …read more

Secrets

October 15, 2014 in /by

In recent years, we’ve seen vivid examples of secular leaders, high profile sports figures, and even ministers having their world implode because they were leading a secret life (or double life). Such disclosures not only provide fodder for tabloid news, but leave a legacy of shattered trust, and the people close to them reeling in shock, pain, and disillusionment. …read more 

A Sense of Him

October 15, 2014 in /by

I continue to be amazed at the many hats pastors are expected to wear. Overseeing a corporation and a staff requires a pastor to have a certain degree of executive and managerial abilities. Leading a spiritual army calls for a pastor to exhibit the discipline and motivational skills of a military leader. …read more

Would You Push the Button?

October 15, 2014 in /by

A “Psychology Today” survey asked, “If you could secretly push a button and thereby eliminate any person with no repercussions to yourself, would you press that button?” 69% of men and 56% of women responding to this poll said yes! I wonder how many pastors would like to have this “button” for just a few minutes? …read more

Rights and Responsibilities

October 15, 2014 in /by

In biblical times, different rights of individuals were commonly understood and even articulated in Scripture. Rights existed not only for the firstborn and for citizens, but special rights were established for orphans, widows, and even foreigners. The prophets often decried injustice, or the depriving of different rights that resulted in the oppression of certain groups. God’s ideal, though, was that justice reign and for the rights of all people to be respected. …read more

Being a Proactive Pastor

October 15, 2014 in /by

If it weren’t for the devil and the difficult circumstances of life, some Christians wouldn’t even have a prayer life. If there are problems or a crisis in their life, they turn to God. But if everything is going well, they quickly become complacent in their spiritual activities. ..read more