Do you ever find yourself holding back? Do you ever find yourself hesitating? I know something about hesitating. Oh, I suppose there are times when it might be wise to hesitate before speaking or doing. Far too often, I think we hesitate out of fear or maybe just to play it safe. Yea,… Continue reading The Dangerous Work of Playing it Safe
Category: Ministry
41 Things Ministers Ought to Know (Part 4)
31. Write things down! Are you supposed to get back with someone? Did you promise to call? Are you supposed to prepare for a meeting? Write it down. You might be surprised to know how many people never do this. 32. Nurture your prayer life. I came across this line the other day, “Pray is… Continue reading 41 Things Ministers Ought to Know (Part 4)
41 Things Ministers Ought to Know (Part 3)
21. Work to become aware of both your thinking and your feelings. Self-awareness can help you can bring some clarity as to what you need to be praying for. 22. Avoid shortcuts. Don’t dodge the hard books or the tedious study just because you are now out of seminary. Pay now or pay later.… Continue reading 41 Things Ministers Ought to Know (Part 3)
41 Things Ministers Ought to Know (Part 2)
(More on the list of what ministers ought to know. See the earlier post.) 11. Be very careful about what you say in humor. You never know what a person has gone through in her/his early years. 12. Avoid self-pity. You are not the only one who works hard and who doesn’t get support at… Continue reading 41 Things Ministers Ought to Know (Part 2)
41 Things Ministers Ought to Know (Part 1)
The follow list will be posted in four parts. This should be of particular interest to ministers. 1. Don’t go on and on talking about your church! Learn from other people. Maybe God is working in their church as well. Ask them questions. 2. Forget trying to be a big name. Most of… Continue reading 41 Things Ministers Ought to Know (Part 1)
A Little More Sympathetic
When I first began my work as a minister, I was far too critical of other ministers–especially those whose work is preaching. I know, there are some people who are in a role for which they are not suited or gifted. Yes, I know there are people who preach every Sunday who are neither prepared… Continue reading A Little More Sympathetic
A Snapshot in Time
Have you ever looked at a snapshot and in one split second memories rushed into your heart? These memories did more than prod your mind. They created emotion. Or better said, they opened the door to emotion already there. This happened yesterday. Only I wasn’t looking at a snapshot. Rather, I was looking at a… Continue reading A Snapshot in Time
These Will Make a Difference
I’ve been a minister for a number of years. Right now, there is not anything I would rather be doing. (I think I say this every year). In many ways, I think it is amazing that I am doing this kind of work. In my high school years or even my college years, I never… Continue reading These Will Make a Difference
Never Boring
Some questions are unexpected. Years ago, I preached in a small town in middle Tennessee. A guy wandered in to our classes one Wednesday evening. His name was "Joe." He had huge bangs, hair that went over his forehead and then cut straight across (just above his eyebrows). (You may remember the old… Continue reading Never Boring
Would You Like to Hear Something Really Personal?
Sermons–They don’t exactly get good press these days. You hear people say such things as: I don’t need a sermonI don’t mean to preach to youThe last thing he needs is a sermon These are not meant to be complimentary statements. No–far too often words like "long" and "boring" are placed next… Continue reading Would You Like to Hear Something Really Personal?