Though a common question, it is a difficult one to answer in most cases. I have played an associate role at several different churches over the years, but each one brought its own unique challenges in discerning when it was time to leave. I was recently emailed this question. The common context of a question like this [...]
Archive for December, 2010
How do you know when it is time to leave a church as a support staff member?
Posted in Oversight of Souls, Training for Ministry on December 30, 2010 | 11 Comments »
What are some effective ways to communicate love to your wife?
Posted in Home and Family on December 27, 2010 | 6 Comments »
Tuesday I will celebrate 14 years of marriage to my precious wife. I cannot begin to tell you how undeserving I am of her. I can only tell you that she is my daily reminder of how merciful God can be to a great sinner like me. As my anniversary approaches tomorrow, I am challenged to make [...]
What are some practical ways to serve elderly widows this time of year?
Posted in Caring for Widows on December 22, 2010 | 4 Comments »
Widows always need to be cared for, but as the weather gets cold, greater needs emerge more than at any other time. These greater needs come in two forms: The first is increased outdoor upkeep on their property that most elderly widows are physically unable to do. The second is the long, dark, cold nights that can [...]
How can a pastor teach his people to pray and encourage one another?
Posted in Discipleship, Oversight of Souls, Preaching on December 20, 2010 | 1 Comment »
Regularly praying and encouraging our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ is to be central in our relationships in the local church. However, I fear if you walked up and asked someone in the church, “How are you praying and encouraging others to spiritually grow?” you might not get an immediate answer…or much of one [...]
How do you care for parents of a new baby in the hospital?
Posted in Home and Family, Hospital Visitation on December 15, 2010 | 8 Comments »
Our church was blessed with the birth of two new babies this past weekend, actually within 24 hours of each other. As we celebrated the births of these little ones, I began to get excited about the privilege it is of going to the hospital, being one of the first to see and hold the [...]
What are helpful instructive ways to ask for prayer requests during visitation?
Posted in Caring for Widows, Discipleship, Oversight of Souls on December 13, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
This question was emailed to me in regard to how to inquire about prayer requests for those you might visit in homes. I thought I would address this for all to see both to encourage you to be visiting folks and to know one way to provide a comfortable approach that would allow someone to [...]
Do you have a Practical Shepherding Facebook page?
Posted in Uncategorized on December 9, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
I do now. In addition to my weekly posts, I will be sharing on facebook other books, resources, and articles with the hope to further serve pastors who are laboring faithfully in the “trenches of pastoral ministry.” Also, look for a new and improved Practical Shepherding Blog…coming soon! Add yourself to the Practical Shepherding Facebook page [...]
What is the one regret all pastors should want to avoid?
Posted in Home and Family, Oversight of Souls on December 8, 2010 | 35 Comments »
There are many possible regrets. Yet, when I recently sat down for coffee with a dear friend and faithful, seasoned pastor, he had but one regret that stood out among the rest. It wasn’t a regret on how faithful he had preached. It wasn’t a regret in regard to wishing he had visited more widows than he [...]
How does a pastor recover from mental and emotional exhaustion?
Posted in Oversight of Souls, Training for Ministry on December 6, 2010 | 14 Comments »
I’ll let you know. In other words…I’m there. I’m not discouraged, depressed, or dulled in my affections for Christ and His Word. My love for this calling and the task to shepherd God’s people has not waned at all, it only grows. I have very little to be discouraged about and so much to be thankful [...]
How do pastors cultivate excitement and passion for their ministries?
Posted in Oversight of Souls on December 1, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Hopefully our divine calling from our Creator is enough to keep us motivated and passionate about the task to which we have been called. However, the combination of discouragement, harsh criticism, and watching our people suffer can act as a perfect storm that can deaden the desire of the most passionate and motivated of pastors. [...]
