Sometimes ministry hurts. There’s grief and pain for church leaders. It’s like a violent storm that comes from every angle against us. Discouragement. Depression. Quitting. Being fired. Wanting to turn your back on church and ministry. Why is the downside of being in ministry so huge? And why does it hit all of us? Prayerfully read on, church […]
Mental Health in Ministry
How to Maintain your Health and Joy through the Pandemic
One simple practice will help you maintain your mental health and joy during the COVID-19 days. Yesterday, I read a Gallup survey that said 14% say they are “happy” right now. Another 11% rate themselves as “somewhat happy.” This is the lowest level of happiness ever recorded by the folks at Gallup. As a church […]
9 Relationships Every Pastor Needs to be Healthy
Be intentional about the relationships you need in your life, and you will be a stronger, more effective church leader. Pastor, do you have the relationships you need in your life? It’s easy for us to feel a lack of friendship, because we’ve seen our friends leave the church or move away. We could use […]
How to Make this Christmas the Best Ever
How is this Christmas shaping up for you? Perhaps it’s close to your pre-pandemic normal. And is that the good news or the bad news? You might have not minded the shut-down quiet last Christmas. You may wonder if any good comes of the Christmas busyness. Will your church be any different, any better, come […]
7 Surprising Barna Trends Will Make You a Stronger Pastor
Have you seen Barna Trends 2018? I know. So much to read and so little time… But you don’t want to miss this. Because knowing what’s going on makes you a stronger pastor. The Barna team believes that combining credible knowledge with clear thinking enables us to navigate our personal lives and ministries more successfully. […]
This is What Makes Pastors’ Families Resilient
I remember the day I told my son that even if he were a criminal in jail, I would still love him. He had made a teenage kind of mistake, and we were working through the aftermath. After I affirmed my love for him, I saw him stand up, go out and do the right thing, and navigate […]
8 Easy Ways to be a Resilient Pastor
Pastors are resilient…unless, not so much. When I get together with pastor friends we have similar stories. Along with the stories of God’s work and provision, we share challenges, discouragements, and burdens. Maybe you’re like me and my friends. We persevere, but there are struggles. Here’s the good news about your pastoral resilience. You’re in a profession that helps […]