January 18, 2009
But Did I Worship?
Mark Atteberry reflects on how ministry responsibilities, service mechanics, and Sunday distractions can keep leaders physically present in church while missing the deeper purpose of worship.
Articles for tag: Pastoral Ministry
November 9, 2008
FROM MY BOOKSHELF: Returning from the Dark Side
LeRoy Lawson reviews books by Gordon MacDonald, Gary Kinnaman, and Richard Jacobs, reflecting on pastoral failure, depression, restoration, and the grace needed to walk through darkness.
January 30, 2008
Ministers: The Happiest Workers in America
A Time survey said clergy are America’s happiest workers. Mark A. Taylor reflects on ministry’s pressures and why lasting joy often comes from serving others and offering hope in Jesus’ name.
October 24, 2007
Ministers Deserve Our Gratitude
Local church ministry can be heavier than many realize. Research cited here highlights pastors’ workload and isolation—and urges congregations to express gratitude, accountability, and feedback for those who serve.
September 26, 2007
A Special Couple, a Special Ceremony
A minister’s wife joins her husband to officiate a wedding, offering a lived-in witness to marriage. Their shared presence shifts the moment from routine words to heartfelt counsel—and leaves the congregation reflecting on commitment.
Sometimes Retreat Is the Best Solution
NACC Minister and Spouse Retreat: A retreat designed to strengthen ministers’ marriages Many church ministers and spouses carry a unique weight of leadership, expectations, and constant availability. The North American Christian Convention Minister and Spouse Retreat is designed to give couples space to be served, reconnect, and renew their relationship together. The retreat is scheduled for August 21-23 at the Ridgecrest Conference Center near Asheville, North Carolina. Registration is $299 per couple and includes accommodations, meals, recreation, and planned programming. Couples can find details and register through the NACC website. By Mark A. Taylor The weight ministers carry Many of
May 16, 2007
Dismissing God Along with the “Reverend”
A minister reflects on why funerals often invite honest listening while weddings can sideline the church—and why easy online wedding licensing signals a deeper loss of reverence for God and Christ’s church.
Why Scholarship Matters in the Church
Why does scholarship matter to the church? Robert F. Hull Jr. argues that faithful scholarship supports Bible translation, global mission, congregational health, and training future leaders—showing why “Athens and Jerusalem” need each other.
November 19, 2006
The Voice That Matters
A pastor reflects on the hidden danger of people-pleasing in leadership and the temptation to make decisions by popular opinion. Looking to Moses, he urges leaders to pay attention to God’s voice and remember their call.
August 6, 2006
An Apology and Invitation
Jeff Krajewski reflects on Paul’s counsel to Timothy, apologizes for youthful arrogance, and invites older and younger leaders to pursue humility and unity as the church navigates change together.
Listening and Learning
Phil LeMaster reflects on early ministry missteps and the lasting value of learning from seasoned preachers. He shares five practical lessons—from discipline and servanthood to prayer, availability, and embracing interruptions as God’s opportunities.
February 12, 2006
Garden Friends
Following Jesus is tough—especially for church leaders who feel they have nowhere to be honest. Jeff Krajewski points to Jesus’ own trusted friends and urges the church to become a place of safety and grace.
October 2, 2005
House Calls: A Vanishing Form of Ministry
A minister reflects on the disappearing practice of pastoral house calls—and what is lost when leaders stop entering people’s homes, where the “visual clues” of ordinary life can open deeper care and connection.
August 14, 2005
A Definite Calling
A calling to serve isn’t something you choose—it’s something you discover. Alan Ahlgrim reflects on personal and particular callings, the danger of purposelessness, and the steady conviction that God assigns leaders to specific places.
July 17, 2005
A Legacy Retirement Plan
Darrel D. Malcom recounts how Poplar Creek Church established a lifetime $1,000 monthly “legacy” payment honoring decades of ministry service—offering stability, freedom to keep serving, and a model other churches could consider for aging ministers.
