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While most of the attention of our Pastoral Ministries effort at Focus on the Family is on the personal and family lives of pastors, we also care about the quality and fruitfulness of their professional ministries. Here are some articles on the various aspects of ministry.
But the Grass Is So Green ...
"You should see the church they attend," Lucille said, armed with bulletin and newsletter. Creases formed across my brow as celebration gave way to comparisons — a trap that had sprung too many times.
The Call of Sacrifice
During Easter, there is great focus on the Resurrection — and rightly so — but before that great celebration morning, there was suffering. On Easter, we are tempted to avoid the stark reality of the cross and concentrate on the miracles.
Caring Enough to Confront
Recently I experienced a first in my many years of being a pastor’s wife. Oh, I know that church members have been unhappy with my husband at times, for reasons ranging from the understandable to the ridiculous. And I am sure negative comments have been exchanged between parishioners in private. That’s part of ministry. You simply can’t please all the people all the time.
Changing Careers
There is one question that pastors do not like to talk about much. In fact, some don’t believe it is even theologically valid to ask it. Should I change careers?
Come Away or Fall Apart
We talk about how we are out doing great things for God. Yet it’s rather arrogant to think that He needs us. What I really learned was that God did not care what I did for Him. Rather He cared who I was and what I was to become. Was I to become more like Jesus, or just do lots of stuff?
Compromised?
Have pastors today compromised the gospel and their callings to avoid hardship, criticism and involvement? Are they too comfortable in their isolated offices to mingle with their beloved as did the Great Shepherd?
Dancing Over Your Pastor
Everyone needs to be danced over. But to dance well over your pastor — that is, to show delight and affirmation — you need to know something about the unique perils of his vocation.
Doing It Right
The greatest power ever known is the spoken Word of God. Yet, in far too many pulpits, that powerful Word lies unopened, unspoken and, therefore, uncomprehended.
Dream the Impossible Dream
Dreams are the raw materials for adventure. They are heady stuff that enliven people and move mountains.
Faith for the Low-Yield Years
How a pastor keeps faith even when results are not forthcoming.
Giving Up the Grudge
Several years ago, my pastor-husband and I found ourselves divorcing -- not each other, but a church. We struggled with a gamut of emotions: anger, bitterness, betrayal, jealousy and resentment.
God Loves You — You Matter a Lot
At the basis of your ministry as a pastor and your relationship with Christ as a believer is His love for you.
God's Calling . . . Me, You, Us?
How to know God's will for your ministry as a couple.
Going Into All the Neighborhoods
How to reach your neighboorhood with simple acts of love.
Grounds for Restoration
As a result of a church tragedy, Al and Phyllis Grounds bring healing to wounded pastors and churches embattled in conflict.
The Hidden Obsession
Counsel to youth group leaders who must minister to those with an addiction to pornography.
Holiness and Morality
A life of personal holiness is not easy. But it is important -- both for the Christian himself, for those he encounters and for those whose lives he might someday touch.
How Blessed We All Are!
A Thanksgiving message to pastors.
How Not to Be a Grinch
Even with limited funds and a crowded schedule, you can give joyfully to the congregation at Christmastime.
It's Not the Size of the Church,
But Its Health That Counts!
The survival of a church as it enters into the 21st century will be ensured by its health, not its size.
It's SuperRev!
Ever feel like you are expected to be a "superhero"? A pastor must balance life as a "superhero" with the realities of family and ministry.
Leaders Need Other Leaders
The marriages and families of too many pastors are falling by the wayside. Pastor Gary Kinnaman has developed a strategy that can hold them together.
Leading in the Quest for Spiritual Renewal
I think the one thing that I prayed for most often during the three decades of my pastoral ministry was revival in the church I pastored. I remember praying at first for a return to something, although I wasn't exactly sure what — just something that once was, a happening, a spirit, a feeling.
The Little Black Book: A Lesson in Forgiveness
We want to! We try! We think we give it our best effort, but for many of us, we just don't seem to be able to rid ourselves of that painful feeling that comes from being wronged by another.
The Long-Term Care of Your Pastor
There are a number of long-term ways your congregation can show its love and appreciation for your pastor(s) and demonstrate its respect for his or her divine calling among you. Here are a few very important things your church can do to provide the ongoing care God expects from you.
Losing Your Baggage
Every pastor brings some form of "baggage" into both his ministry and his family relationships, a burdensome "pile" that tends to grow with each passing year.
Making an Impact Through Youth Ministry
A former youth pastor shares insights into making an impact in a ministry to young people.
The Matter of Integrity
Integrity presents a life of consistency and sincerity, with no deception or pretense.
Mentoring
Every young pastor needs a mentor, and every experienced pastor should become one. But just what is mentoring?
Modeling
In many ways, a pastor is like a parent to his or her congregation. Like children, church members observe the priorities, values and interactions demonstrated by pastoral couples.
The Need for Significance
The need for significance is a driving force in all of our lives.
The Need for Unity and Fellowship Among Pastors
It is required for us to be united as fellow laborers in the work of the lord. We need to seek the benefits of unity and peace of the churches that we oversee. We need to be concerned for the well being of the whole work of God.
A Need for Visionaries
Most of us wander through life without much of a vision. Most of us spend our lives seeking our place in the world, in history, in God's plan.
Not Such a Bad Egg
A humorous sermon illustration from Dr. Adrian Rogers.
Notes That Stick
I regularly write notes of love, encouragement and thanks to those I care about. There's something out of the ordinary about taking the time to jot down a few words to lift someone's spirits and then to drop the note in the mail.
A Passion for Unity
It does not take much to divide a congregation, eliminate the effectiveness of the pastor and stunt the growth or the influence within the community. Until we make unity one of our highest priorities as pastors and people, we will continue to send a negative signal to the watching world. They will avoid us.
A Pastor's Unknown Influence
Ever since Sept. 11, 2001, Pastor Andy Pryor has approached his calling with a deeper sense of intentionality. Todd Beamer, the 32-year-old Wheaton College graduate who died heroically on United Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania, had grown up in Andy's church.
A Perspective on Abortion
I expected more affirmation, anticipating that she would also comment positively about the sermon on abortion. But she surprised me by asking, "Pastor, do you know how many women like me were sitting in the congregation today?" I thought maybe she was talking about the number of women who came to church alone. Then like water from a broken dam, the pain from her own abortion gushed out.
The Powerful Prayer of the Intercessor
Who intercedes for you? For whom do you intercede? Someone has said, "Praying for others is one of the best ways of loving people." I agree.
Respect Your Elders
Far too often the majority of the population views retirees as worthess, no longer contributors to the world at large. Tragically, too many of our churches support this impression, relegating seniors of the congregations to roles of ushers, volunteers and bulletin folders, without taking advantage of the wisdom and experience the elderly have gained.
Should I Become a Bi-Vocational Pastor?
What advice would bi-vocational pastors give to someone considering joining their ranks?
The Significance of Your Music
As I travel the country, the one thing that I see dividing congregations and setting pastors and people at odds with one another is music.
Silenced by Tolerance
Tolerance traditionally means simply to recognize and respect others' beliefs, practices and so on, without necessarily agreeing or sympathizing. But today's definition is vastly different.
So Do Not Worry
Many of the people you serve are probably facing the uncertainty of a new year. I have been so impressed by men and women like you who have stared evil in the eye without blinking and led your people with a sincere faith, affirming the assuring words of Jesus to not worry.
A Social Concern Committee: Worth a Try?
A social concern committee can be of great assistance to any pastor in understanding and addressing cultural issues.
Steward of Another Man's Vision
The word-picture of Aaron and Hur supporting Moses' weakened arms is a vivid depiction of pastoral ministry. As pastors, we can relate to the story well, but have you ever considered how that specific situation must have looked to Joshua?
Things I Have Learned as a Senior Pastor
A senior pastor of over 30 years describes what he has learned about staff relationships.
Two Advents
Those who recognized Jesus as the Messiah weren't looking for a certain type of savior. They were merely watching — shepherd's watching their sheep, wise men watching the stars, an old man and an old woman keeping watch in prayer.
What Pastors Want
Wouldn’t it be great to have an internal radio dial that would give you access to certain people’s thoughts? I think even more revealing would be to hear what is going on in the minds of our pastors.
What to Expect in a Christian Counselor
What criteria should a pastor consider when selecting a counselor to whom he will send his parishioners? Here are guidelines from a pastor of over 30 years.
When God Calls Twice
While every pastor would probably say he was called to pastor, some are called to other work as well, or they're called to part-time ministry. The situation, despite its additional juggling requirements, allows these pastors to pursue multiple interests and minister more to people outside their churches.
When Is Revival Needed?
How do you know when revival is needed in the church?
Who Does God Want Me to Be?
While I was still in high school, I first experienced God's call to full-time ministry, and I also felt He wanted me to be like ...
Who Ministers to the Minister?
Couples in ministry have burdens, pressures and emotional needs like anyone else. When those pressures remain unaddressed, we start to feel burned out. How can we effectively encourage hurting people when our own tanks are empty? The truth is that we can't — and we don't have to.
Working Women: Pastors’ wives with other titles
An insight into jobs and roles a Pastor's wife may hold.
The Wounded Shepherd
Ideally, our lives as ministers should become lifelong illustrations of God’s grace and power, but that often means serving your church while facing personal crises.
You Are in Our Prayers
A reminder to everyone to pray for their pastors and families.
Important Resource
