How can we finish strong? How can the final chapters of our life narratives end well? Here are four things to keep in mind. By Chris Maxwell Life is a collection of seasons. We can title them stages. Or phases. But whatever our age, our ministry, our title, or our story, we move toward a … [Read more…]
Are pastors leaving the pulpit in droves because of ministry burnout? Maybe not. Recent research can help us tell fact from fiction. By Marissa Postell Sullivan Each week, headlines tell us pastors are burnt out. They’re leaving the ministry. They’re throwing in the towel. Pastoral ministry is too hard on the family. The demands are … [Read more…]
Only around 1 in 100 pastors leave the ministry each year, according to a Lifeway Research study of evangelical and Black Protestant pastors. By Aaron Earls Pastors face unique challenges in their role and often feel overwhelmed, but few decide to step away from the pulpit and pursue another career. Only around 1 in 100 … [Read more…]
Many pastors carry some hidden struggles below the surface that they don’t feel they can share with others. Here are four. By Dan Hyun Most pastors experience genuine joy in serving the Lord and His church. Even so, many pastors also carry some struggles hidden below the surface that they don’t feel can be shared with others. … [Read more…]
My wife pointed this video out to me, and as we realized that it could be a great resource for Sanctity of Life Sunday for any church, I thought I’d link it here. As a reminder, Sanctity of Life Sunday is January 21, 2024.
In terms of books that encompass the trials that pastors face today none articulate it better than in the book The Resilient Pastor by Glenn Packiam. His book gives a bird’s eye view into the current issues that pastors and the church are facing, along with the hope that we have for the future. Packiam’s … [Read more…]
Book Review: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni In the realm of pastoral work, the dynamics of teamwork can be as intricate and challenging as they are in any corporate setting. Volunteers and ministerial staff must come together to fulfill a shared mission. Pat Lencioni’s book, “The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team,” … [Read more…]
Editor’s Note: This article from Lifeway Research helps us all understand the uphill battle we face in our current culture. Let us take in the information as a clarification of our understanding and further heed the clarion call to speak the truth in love to a dying world that desperately needs to hear it. Trust … [Read more…]
As new leaders step into their ministry calling, we must prioritize discipleship and enabling them to find success in their new role. By Aaron Summers Summer is often a time of change for ministers. Throughout our ministry, our family moved to a new church four times during the summer. For many churches, a new “church … [Read more…]
At one point in my ministry, I ran across an interesting church situation: A quaint country church who couldn’t seem to keep a pastor. This church, like many of our SBC churches, was a smaller church outside a small population center. The 30ish congregants were farmers and blue collar families with an average age around … [Read more…]