There are many never-ending aspects of ministry. Sunday comes every week. There always seems to be another hurting person. We endlessly seem to work on another ministry task, another parishioner’s need or another Bible study/sermon. But I personally think that one of the most difficult realities of ministry is that we are daily and weeklyContinue reading “A constant reality for pastors”
Category Archives: For Pastors
Do you believe in them?
Dear pastor, I once read a story about a little boy who wanted to play darts with his dad. He told his dad: “I will throw the dart and you say ‘wonderful!’” How important for each of us to remember that we really need people to believe in us and to cheer us on. AsContinue reading “Do you believe in them?”
Being present
Dear pastor, What if your presence with them was enough? But what if your presence was enough? What if God is simply asking you and me to be present to the person in front of us? I believe that we set ourselves up for failure and place unnecessary, unrealistic and impossible expectations on ourselves becauseContinue reading “Being present”
The privilege of declaring the gospel
What a joy it is to tell people of the peace and freedom that is available to them in Christ Jesus! All of us have particular needs, and the amazing reality is that God wants to meet these needs. The good news of the gospel is that He longs and yearns to supply all thatContinue reading “The privilege of declaring the gospel”
Lingering
Dear pastor, I want to ask you a unique and VERY important question… Are you very good at lingering these days? Let’s define the word: You may be thinking to yourself: “What a strange question!” But here is the point. Pastors seem to be soooo busy (at least in America, much like the culture aroundContinue reading “Lingering”
More than able
Dear pastor, Let us be reminded that God is more than able to handle whatever we face and whatever we give over to Him. As a matter of fact He is more than able to handle it, keep it, bless it, beautify it and use it. We just have to give it to Him. It’sContinue reading “More than able”
Pastoring through questions
Dear pastor, Depending on your source the answer may vary but it is said that Jesus asked somewhere between 200 and 300+ questions in the gospels. Jesus shepherded His flock by asking questions. The first great awakening was carried along by the preaching and teaching of the Word but also by accountability and growth questions.Continue reading “Pastoring through questions”
Be prepared in season and out of season
This Scripture is found in 2 Timothy 4:2 and is often repeated to pastors at their ordination. It is sound wisdom and we will do well to follow it but we also should remember that this comes from God’s Word and therefore reveals God’s will for each of us as His ministers. But I wonderContinue reading “Be prepared in season and out of season”
To tell the good news you have to tell the bad news
Dear pastor, I want to share with you a profound reality about ministry and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. You and I have the calling, the privilege and the responsibility of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with people. And what a joy it is to tell people of God’s love for them,Continue reading “To tell the good news you have to tell the bad news”
Bringing people to Jesus
Dear Pastor, What kind of disciples are you making? Do they look more and more like Jesus everyday? Or more and more like you? Or are they staying the same? Of course, every single person gets to choose and so you are not responsible for their choices, but for those who do choose to followContinue reading “Bringing people to Jesus”
Pastor Michael Johnson 