Everybody 'Counts'...Maybe We Need to do That Differently!!

 It Seems to me as if we could all use some recalibrating when it comes to the way that we assess where we are at when it comes to church attendance.  I think that this article will be helpful as you approach this subject in prayer...                                                                                                                                                                       Charlie    Why do so many of our members habitually neglect gathering togeth...
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Pain Relief

Pain Relief

This really caught my attention this morning when I read it...I think you will get hit between the eyes with it too...

Charlie 

Sometimes our people are defined by their pain. So are some pastors and occasionally, whole congregations. First Church of the Broken Fellowship, Associate Pastor Tom Anxiety. Like the lady said, “Don’t call me Pleasant. Call me Bitter.”

Take the Jews who returned to their devastated homeland after decades of exile. They were so glad to be

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The Good Fight

Many have read The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.  Likewise you have studied and even taught many times from Ephesians 6 in relationship to Spiritual Warfare.  I thought it a good reminder to post this new article by Lee Eclov, in Preaching Today which truly helps us I think to focus on who are real enemies are. 

In The Pilgrim’s Progress, Part II, John Bunyan gives us a character named Mr. Valiant-for-Truth. He is first introduced to us as “a man with his sword drawn,

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The Blessings of Revelation

At times we can be tempted to much Eschatological debate when we approach the Book of the Apocalypse.  Upon reading this article today I am simply 'blessed' to think of this addition to the 'blessings' of the Beatitudes in a different light than I have previously held it in consideration.  I pray that you will be as well...for we truly are 'blessed'!!  My thanks to Lee Eclov for this contribution in Christianity Today.

The Seven Beatitudes of Revelation: Blessed Reading,   

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A Pastor's Daily Battle

I saw this today and just felt that you would be able to identify with it:

Struggles common to pastors

BY BRIAN CROFT

  

As I have worked with pastors all around the world, I am struck by two things:

–      How much pastors are struggling with discouragement and–      How many think they are alone in their struggle.

I just read and excerpt from an email from a pastor posted in Practical Shepherding   who poured his heart out and in doing so captured well the common struggles so

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Using Your Gift of Encouragement

No matter HOW strong you are…there are times when YOU need someone to speak into your life. Sometimes that ‘speaking’ might be a kick in the pants…sometimes a gentle encouragement…sometimes a verse of Scripture.

This can be particularly true in times like those that we have all walked through in the last year. It is SO important for us a pastors and leaders to be sensitive to the ‘environment’ of our congregations so that we can allow the Holy Spirit to speak those necessar

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Running the Race

So often, in the midst of life and ministry it is easy for us to lose focus on: WHY we are actually running…or WHY we are running on the course that we are on.

Often times in fact we are tempted to ask ourselves the question: IF this IS the race that I am supposed to be running…why is it SO hard? Truth is, God never did promise us a ‘rose garden’ did He?

While most of us do recognize that truth, it is never easy for any of us to embrace it…because no matter how long you have

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SAFE

At times like this, ‘safety’ is a very relative term. We know that we are ‘safe’, secure in Christ. However, everything around us is very unstable isn’t it? I read this article today in my daily Christianity Today email (yes I do still find SOME things in CT that are good!!). I thought that it was well written and speaks directly to each of us as Pastors.

Charlie

SafeMy Dear Shepherds,For us, insecurity is an occupational hazard and a ministry inconsistency. After all, we co

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Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing!!

My Fellow Laborers in the Gospel,

During times like these last few months…it can be easy to get our ‘eye off of the ball’, at least a little bit for us all.  As I read this email and listened to the podcast today, I was reminded that we ALL must keep the Main Thing the Main Thing.  

Matter of fact, there is no conditionality in Matthew 28:19-20 is there.  SOOOO, Covid-19, Societal Unrest or not we must continue to stay focused on our mission…preaching the Gospel to a lost an

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When a Pastor Dies – What Should I do?

Have you ever noticed the support of the law enforcement community at the death of an officer?  There is an extensive protocol intended to provide comfort, make a statement that this life was well lived and to give direction to everyone involved.  In short many police departments join together to assist and obtain the resources needed to ensure the appropriate funeral is conducted. The purpose of this article is to draw attention to the support offered by police officer as

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So, You want to Reach People for Christ, Really?

Pastors and their churches who really want to reach people for the Messiah are passionate about their personal mission and core values therefore:They live their mission and values – do you?Will pay the price to proclaim the Gospel – will you?They are able to articulate their passion in a few short sentences – Can you?Observations on Reaching People for the Messiah                 Do you know where to go to reach the interested?

 

                When we talk to a person on t...
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