What were you doing on March 12, 2020? I spoke at a pastor luncheon in Wewoka, Oklahoma that day, and they surprised me by singing “Happy Birthday” as the server brought out a giant piece of cheesecake. An even bigger surprise that day was news that COVID-19 had...

In a few weeks Janet and I are moving to Dallas where I will begin a new ministry chapter serving pastors with Guidestone Financial Resources, a ministry of the Southern Baptist Convention. Two years ago, Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director Dr. Hance Dilbeck invited...

One of the most important and fulfilling initiatives in my 34 years of ministry is the launch of over 100 mentoring cohorts (groups) this Fall by Oklahoma Baptists. This "Ministry Pipeline" is for emerging ministers between the 10th grade and 10th year of ministry....

A close pastor friend my age recently asked me for advice on staying physically healthy. Unfortunately, many pastors need some help in this area. Jayson Byassee, a former pastor and co-author of Faithful and Fractured: Responding to the Clergy Health Crisis, says...

We are all understandably eager to look ahead to the post-COVID world we have all been longing for. Oklahoma Baptist Convention, where I serve, met with small groups of pastors in March at about 10 locations around the state to hear how they are doing, as well as what...

Is the Great Commission really our most important task? I have always heard that it is "the main thing" - but now I am not so sure.  Although both the Great Commission and the Great Commandments are important, according to Jesus they aren’t equally important. A scribe...

Pastors and ministry leaders, you are to be commended for leading your people through the valley of the shadow of COVID for almost a year. At this point in the pandemic, many of you are showing signs of ministry fatigue, which is somewhat inevitable, but also...

Did God know that we would be leading our churches through this toxic season of politics, protests, and a pandemic? He not only knew, He called and equipped us for this challenge. While tough seasons of ministry are inevitable for every generation, never have I seen...

Although all of us are eager to move on to a post-COVID season of life (it will come!), there are a few viable ways your church can still pivot well this Winter in light of recent spikes and upcoming holidays.   The more optimistic among us are expecting the COVID-19...

It seems like even the most positive of pastors are getting salty these days—and who can blame them after pastoring through an endless cycle of catastrophes for a solid six months? Our frustration is growing because we are unable to fully understand, explain, or fix...

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...