Dear Pastor, You and I are running a marathon (26.2 miles at once, are we crazy!). We might even say we are running an ultramarathon (anything over 26.2 miles). As ministers, we are not sprinting nor running a 5k (3.1 miles). This means that it takes time and furthermore, it takes a lot of energyContinue reading “Ministry is an ultramarathon”
Author Archives: Michael D Johnson
Every church has it
Every church has it: Drama. No matter how wonderful a church is, it still has drama. We all have difficulties, frustrations and “those people” in our churches. The reminder today is that every church and ministry has drama because they consist of fallen and imperfect people. Even if every single person in your church wasContinue reading “Every church has it”
Making progress
Dear Pastor, Here is the thing about ministry: it’s never done. When we leave the office at night or get a phone call in the middle of the night, or head out on vacation, the work is never done. We may check a few things off our list, but many of the things we checkContinue reading “Making progress”
Everyday Christianity
So here’s the thing about being a Christian in everyday life: if we are really born-again and saved by the blood of Jesus, we are different the rest of the world and we need to live different from the rest of the world. To be a Christian in everyday life doesn’t mean just going toContinue reading “Everyday Christianity”
Safe in my Father’s arms
There is a song by Christian singing group “Sanctus Real” that is entitled “Safe in my Father’s Arms”. It contains a great message about knowing we are loved by the King, that we are offered hope in God and that we are invited to become God’s children. It is a great song that reminds usContinue reading “Safe in my Father’s arms”
The measure of preaching
Dear pastor, Preaching is a beautiful thing. It is also difficult. The apostle Paul called it foolishness. Some in your congregation and mine might call it boring. You and I have both heard people say that certain preaching “just isn’t feeding them”. So how indeed are we to measure our preaching? Should such a thingContinue reading “The measure of preaching”
Does my heart break for the lost?
Without a deep and driving inner fire and passion to help the people who are lost in their sins and stresses and the trappings of this world, how will we ever make any inroads or take seriously the missionary call God has placed on each of us? What if we acted as if the onlyContinue reading “Does my heart break for the lost?”
To be a missionary and an evangelist
Being a missionary It’s not enough to pass people and think “They may be going through difficulties” “They need Jesus” “Jesus can save them” “Jesus can give them purpose and meaning” “If they would call on the name of the Lord they will be saved” “Jesus can set them free” Thinking these thoughts can EncourageContinue reading “To be a missionary and an evangelist”
The importance of recieving
People have made some amazing things. The automobile, the computer, donuts, chocolate bars: all of these are amazing and are a testament to the creativity of those who made them. More important though, than any of the fun, cool and amazing things that people have made, are the things that God has given us: GodContinue reading “The importance of recieving”
Your value/worth as a pastor
Dear pastor, I have a confession to make. There are many times that I get all topsy-turvy regarding my value and worth as a pastor. Don’t get me wrong here, God has helped me to know that my personal identity is in Him and Him alone, but sometimes I have thought that my only valueContinue reading “Your value/worth as a pastor”
Pastor Michael Johnson 