Like you, I’m tired of talking about that stupid virus. We are all ready to move on with our lives and ministries, but before we do, let’s take stock of some of the sovereign surprises we have seen this spring and summer. What are some of the COVID lemons that church...

Can I be honest and admit that I'm never sure what to say or do when cultural chaos ensues? I don’t typically shake my fist or point my finger at every news update, but when sinful, systemic racism and/or injustice takes center stage, men and women of God need to...

While everyone wants a healthy pastor who lives and serves with integrity, some church leaders are in a strategic position to help their pastor stay above reproach. My last church created a Pastoral Support Team to help me to lead my life, family, and ministry well....

The Gospel is the good news about the finished work of Jesus, yet a pastor’s work never seems to be finished – especially during a crisis. Pastors and ministry leaders have been in a hard ministry sprint for over a month, and we are tired. This season has brought both...

There are two pressing questions on the minds of pastors and church leaders today: When should we reopen? How can we reopen safely? This week the Oklahoma Baptist team I am honored to serve with curated several ideas from pastors in live meetings of 10 or less, as...

Watergate television updates in 1972 were nothing more than interruptions to my cartoons. As a seven year old, I remember wondering how the whole White House got flooded in the first place. Children are not supposed to feel the weight of the world, much less...

Caregivers who are experiencing Coronafatigue could use some practical encouragement right about now. It doesn't take long to get caught up in the whirlwind as we play wack-a-mole to family and church challenges that we have never faced before. Here are four of the...

Most of us heard the familiar “leave” and “cleave” passage at our weddings. The term cleave literally means “to pursue hard” - which is how every marriage will grow through the various seasons of our lives.  “A man leaves his father and mother and bonds/cleaves with...

What if this year you made life-changing New Years’ resolutions instead of a bunch of lame ones that you will eventually blow off?  Some pastors are resolution rebels who discourage others from making any resolutions by pointing out the high rate of failure. They are...

I have several pastor friends who are looking down the barrel of retirement. Some are fearlessly excited about their next chapter of life and ministry. Some are flat out frightened by the whole idea of leaving the pastorate. All of us want to finish strong one day...

As Janet and I are packing up our metro Nashville house in preparation for our move from Nashville to Tulsa, we are also preparing emotionally for the next chapter of our life and ministry. Moving evokes in us both grief and joy simultaneously...grief over who and...

In November I am starting a new chapter of ministry in Oklahoma as the Director of Pastoral Development & Regional Ministry Partner for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. For those who want to know a little bit more, keep reading.  LifeWay  Five...

After pastoring in a fog of clinical depression, I came very close to walking away from my church and the ministry ten years ago. I had been pastoring for 22 years at the time, and was burned out and fed up—mostly with myself. Thanks to the help of my doctor and...

Admit it. You do not have enough time or energy to do everything that is expected of you. I’m in that same leaky boat. The good news is that we are not supposed to. Although our gifts and calling are irrevocable, they do not make us invincible.  What if we...

Dear angry Christian, you have a problem and therefore have become one to others. Not sure if you qualify? Finishing the following sentence will help you know whether this post is pointed at you. You might be an angry Christian if… You clinch your fist when you...

When I answered God’s call to ministry at 16 years of age, I don’t remember considering any part of my biblical job description. I gave no thought to how some day my marriage would impact my ministry, or visa versa. In some respects, I am glad I didn’t realize all of...

We vowed to preach the word … in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2), so should we be surprised when an out of season experience sneaks up on us? No matter how much we love to prepare and preach sermons, or teach group lessons, we will all eventually run out of...

When Janet and I spoke at a marriage retreat on the Oregon coast, we were rendered breathless by its rugged coastline, enormous fir trees, and flowing waterfalls. In 1805, the great explorers Lewis and Clark discovered many of these same riches, but they missed out on...

Several assumptions and generalizations about mentoring have morphed into myths over time. In this post I will walk back a couple of those assumptions for the purpose of helping you find a mentor. We all need one to help us grow as a person and as a pastor. If we set...