Author Archives: Michael D Johnson

Dear Pastor, The people you lead… Are voluntarily assembling, gathering or “tuning in” to hear what you have to say because they believe that what you say will somehow benefit them. They are continually engaging with you because they believe that their life will be better because of their interaction with you. They are seekingContinue reading “Checking your ministry”

Dear Pastor, Have you ever felt like things were going nowhere fast in your ministry?  Perhaps you’ve looked at your recent accomplishments and felt like not much was really happening.  I want to tell you that the issue might just be the people.  Now, before you jump to conclusions, I don’t mean that it’s theContinue reading “It’s the people”

How do we know what it is that God is saying to us at any given moment? How can we discern His voice above the noise? There are many thoughts and feelings that might be swirling within us at any given moment and even more than that there are a thousand different circumstances, obstacles, distractionsContinue reading “Discerning God’s voice”

Dear Pastor, Has the current world situation caused you to pause and ask yourself: “What exactly am I doing, anyway?” Let’s talk about what you are doing… You are representing the Holy God of the universe. Your words, actions, attitude and lifestyle are to be a reflection of Him. It might be easy to getContinue reading “What are we doing?”

There are Scriptures that refer to God rejoicing, singing and finding pleasure. But when is it that God weeps? And why? The story in the Bible that can help us with this is the story of Lazarus. I’m sure you know it quite well. Jesus receives word that his friend Lazarus is sick, but beforeContinue reading “When God weeps”

Dear pastor, your church needs you. What does the world needs from the church now? What does the church needs from the pastors now? Today, people (in the US and beyond) are living in a state of fear. They are panicking over the “what if’s” and what might happen to them and their loved onesContinue reading “Dear Pastor, your church needs you”

My flesh and my heart may fail but the Lord is my strength and my portion forever. (See Psalm 73:96) Here is one thing I have noticed: Circumstances like waves can relentlessly pound us. But if we are anchored in Jesus, with our hearts and lives firmly planted on Him as our rock and foundation,Continue reading “My flesh and my heart may fail but the Lord is my strength and my portion forever.”

Dear Pastor, As pastors, we don’t actually have that many tools for ministry. I would propose that there are 4 basic tools we’ve been given: The Word of God Listening Time Love/Compassion You and I don’t necessarily have a deep and full bag of tools for ministry. Instead, God has given us only a fewContinue reading “The tools of ministry”

So what is it that gets you through the day? I know many people rely on coffee, caffeine, sugar, and chocolate. (And I sure love these and have enjoyed my fair share!) Although God gives us many sources of energy we do need of course to look to Him as the ultimate Source and SupplierContinue reading “Are you gonna make it?”

Dear Pastor, I know you know what I’m talking about. As soon as you read the title of this post your mind may have already jumped to the last time life or ministry dealt you a blow. The truth is we all have experienced them and likely will experience more in the future. In thisContinue reading “A punch in the gut”