September 4, 2025
Even those who serve smaller congregations (or who serve alone as the only paid employee) can still obey the Lord’s command for Sabbath rest.
September 3, 2025
The Slow Club sounds like a great place to just “be” who we claim to be. And while we might try to schedule sabbaticals or study breaks, the Slow Club is waiting for us every day.
September 3, 2025
Dealing with various tensions is a reality in ministry. And experiencing tension often leads to stress and fatigue. These issues must be managed.
October 6, 2023
Alan Scott says he's aware of many ministers who are "struggling . . . tired . . . weary . . . perhaps even crushed." He offers several "healing strategies" to help and encourage your pastor.
August 28, 2018
By Mandy Smith On Labor Day weekend we reflect on both the value of work and the value of rest. The Department of Labor’s statement on Labor Day says, in part, “It is appropriate . . . that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership—the American worker.” It’s fitting for a nation to show appreciation to those workers by giving them a day off from their work. On Labor Day we rest from our own work. There’s a different holiday we celebrate every Sunday—an invitation to rest
July 13, 2016
By Jim Tune I heard about a pastor who took a day off. He set his e-mail to respond automatically with this message: “I”m out of the office today. I”ll respond to your e-mail upon my return.” When he returned to work, he found this e-mail: “Don”t bother. You”re a loser for taking a day off. People will probably die and go to Hell because you thought you needed a day off. Do you think God takes a day off? Are you better than God?” Of course, the e-mail was a joke. The man who wrote that e-mail is a
May 23, 2016
By Tim Harlow There is always a great deal of chatter among my peers about succession planning and the right time to step away from leadership of the local church. I have been at my post for 26 years and would like to make it another 14. But I am only one year away from the senior discount at IHOP. If that weren”t bad enough, it also means that next year I qualify for the 55+ Ministers and Wives Conference. Ben Merold spoke this year! How can I be in the same category as Ben Merold? I interned under him,
February 22, 2016
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the February 21 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Pushing the pause button to remember God”s faithfulness is a healthy spiritual discipline. Every so often we need to take a step back from the daily grind and enjoy a spiritual sanity check. In many ways that is how the Feast of Tabernacles functioned for Israel.
February 8, 2016
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the February 7 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Valentine”s Day celebrates love. Wedding anniversaries celebrate commitment. Probably the most noteworthy wedding anniversary is the fiftieth. When couples achieve that, it is called a milestone. A milestone festival for Israel was the Festival of Weeks””an interesting name since it was just a one-day celebration.
August 1, 2012
By Mike MacKenzie Jeff is not unlike many ministers we see. He has been in ministry for 25 years and has been reasonably successful. He accepted his current senior pastor position eight years ago knowing it was going to be a challenge. The congregation”s former senior pastor, who was also the founding pastor, had left under a cloud of suspicion. The church”s building program was hanging in limbo after a church split had seen half the members leave. And the finances were messy. But Jeff figured, with his experience, he had a responsibility to do what he could when he
A reflection on work, rest, and the “rule of the clenched fist,” urging Sabbath-minded living. Especially on Labor Day, it reminds readers that doing nothing can make space for what truly matters.
Busyness in ministry can quietly drain a leader’s spirit. Rick Grover points to Jesus’ pattern of solitude and prayer and offers practical applications for rest, accountability, and returning to ministry with a healthier rhythm.
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April 28, 2026
Rick Cherok
April 28, 2026
David Faust
April 28, 2026
Rick Cherok