Enjoying the Journey
Posts Tagged ‘Ministry’
CONTINUE!
Everyone’s favorite verse to quote in recent times has been, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). While this is absolutely true and evidently happening I would encourage you to read the next verse: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (2 Timothy 3:14). We must never use the condition in our world as an excuse for our own faithlessness and fruitlessness. When the Lord said that wickedness would abound more and more He did not say that His power would wax less and less! CONTINUE! As we begin a new year this must be…
Read More5 Books To Read To Help Young People
Much of my ministry has been connected to young people. It was my privilege to serve for many years as a church youth director. I enjoyed teaching youth ministry at a college level and continue to enjoy working with camps and youth conferences. The most important “youth ministry” I have been part of is having teenagers of our own! I wish that there were many books that I felt comfortable recommending on youth ministry. Far too much that is written is man-centered and felt-needs oriented. We must always begin with God’s truth and then make the application to people of every age. Here are a few books that provide a variety of helps for young people and those who work…
Read More5 Books To Read On Church Ministry
In a previous post I shared some recommended reading on preaching, but all of us who have been in the Lord’s work for any period of time know that there is more to daily ministry than the preaching of sermons. Much more. Ministry is helping people where they are and leading the church as you follow Christ. These are unusual days in which to minister, but God’s eternal message and timeless methods do not change. The following books have been a blessing to me, both as I labored with a pastor and now as an evangelist: An All-Round Ministry by Charles Spurgeon (Spurgeon’s Lectures to My Students is more well known, but this volume addresses the biblical philosophy of ministry…
Read MoreReigniting The Pioneer Spirit
Churches are beginning to open back up. Pastors are trying to find some rhythm again. It will take some time to get everyone back and schedules fully normal, but it is a start. In fact, it is an opportunity for a new beginning! Over the last months I have had the privilege of working with and talking to many pastors who have had to “get out of the comfort zone” and do some thing for the first time. We all have been stretched, and the world should see a difference among the people of God. Some things should not change. Our doctrine, our commitment to Scripture, our faithfulness to biblical distinctives – all of these must never change. On the…
Read MoreDo What You Can Where You Are
We have become a nation of “shut-ins” in many ways. (This should make us more compassionate and caring of those who truly are shut-in and unable to ever leave their homes!) The current shift in schedule has disrupted a mobile society and the ripple effects are just beginning to be felt. What should Christians do? They should do what they can where they are! The will of God and the work of God always begins with what is right at hand. As we do our part, God will surely do His. If we want to get to the ends of the earth we must begin at our Jerusalem (Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8). When we began 2020 I challenged churches to…
Read MoreNew Resource For All Christian Workers
One of the great desires that I have is to get helpful resources to those who are laboring faithfully in God’s work. There is no lack of available resources, but there is often a dearth of trustworthy ones. That is why I enjoy partnering with other likeminded ministers to develop tools for Bible study and gospel work. I am excited to share with you a brand new podcast that has been designed with one goal in mind: to edify and encourage Christian workers. Each Labor Day my friend Pastor Scott Hooks and I co-host The Rest conference in Hickory, NC. This is not a meeting for preachers to come and take a nap (although that is a good idea!). It…
Read MoreUpdate On Our Travels
These are unusual and exciting days to be serving the Lord. I believe that revival is on the way and whatever God has to rearrange in all of our lives and ministries is up to Him. It is amazing how quickly things can change! As you read these words I am flying back to West Virginia from a wonderful mission conference in Florida. Like everyone we are having to make some unexpected adjustments to our schedule. The following meetings have now been cancelled due to the Coronavirus restrictions and an abundance of caution for the safety of those attending large gatherings: Iron Works Men’s Conference, Saturday, March 21, Charleston, WV. Florida Men’s Advance, Friday-Saturday, March 27-28, Tampa, FL. Fellowship Youth…
Read More5 Things Every Church Member Can Do For Their Church Today
I rarely post on the Lord’s day, but this Sunday is an unusual day for many churches and church members. Social media has been filled this week with updates, instructions, and explanations from pastors and Christian leaders about the current pandemic and the varied responses. These are challenging days for those who have been called to guide God’s people in a church, school, or ministry. They are challenging days for us all! Perhaps your church is not meeting this week as normal – or perhaps it is. Either way there are a few things all of God’s people can do for the work of God where they are… Pray for your pastor. All who lead need divine wisdom. This is…
Read MorePreachers Can Have Rebel Hearts Too
Long before I was a preacher I was a sinner. We would like to think that this changes over time, but I am still a sinner! One of God’s great preachers said it best: “O wretched man that I am!” (Romans 7:24). For sure, we should be sinning less but we are not sinless. Only Christ is that. Sometimes in the busyness of ministry, surrounded by so much religious context, we are prone to forget how wicked our hearts truly are. The flesh never gets better. It cannot be trusted. Deep within the most holy man is the unholy current of sin. There is in ALL of us a rebel heart. Sometimes it even comes out clothed in “preacher talk”…
Read MoreWhy I Am Doing What I Am Doing
Frequently I am asked if I plan to continue in evangelism, if I want to pastor, or if I miss what I did in the past. They are good questions that all have the same answer. I love what God has given me to do and plan to do it as long as God desires. As I have reflected on the work God has called us to do these are my thoughts… I am doing what I am doing because I want to get the gospel to as many people as possible. I love the work of the gospel. I am doing what I am doing because I want to give my time and energy to getting God’s Word into…
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