Missional Pastor

*Adapted from chapter 5 of Shepherds on Guard. Now available on Amazon. A little over a year ago, a friend of mine reached out wanting to have lunch. He is a fellow pastor serving down the road. Although he didn’t explain why he wanted to meet, something in his voice told me he really needed to talk to me. While our lunch began with ordinary small talk, he quickly turned the conversation to what he needed to talk about. He began to share about his two loves: family and ministry. But sadly, he explained how he had neglected his wife … Continue reading Don’t Neglect Your Family

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.” Acts 20:28 *If you are interested in thinking more about Acts 20:28 and its implications for pastors, check out my new book, Shepherds on Guard! Seminary was the first time I wrestled with Acts 20:28 and its implications for pastors. I had read it numerous times and even heard a sermon or two from it, but it wasn’t until my class on pastoral ministry that I began … Continue reading What Acts 20:28 Teaches Us About Ministry

Over the past eight years, I have preached through twelve different books of the Bible. At the start of each new series through a book, I was sure it would be my favorite. I even loved our time in Obadiah, despite it only being twenty-one verses. But last year I preached through the book of Ephesians, and I can honestly say, I don’t know how any other book will top it. I took my time, splitting the six chapters into forty-five sermons. Week after week we dove deeper into the mystery of the gospel and how to apply it to … Continue reading 5 Reasons You Should Preach/Teach through Ephesians

Last week, I officiated another funeral. As I stood before family and friends gathered to remember their loved one, it was a painful reminder that death is a part of our world. No words can take away their sense of loss. As you spend time with families at the hospital, in their living rooms, at the funeral home, or beside the grave, you feel their pain and wish you could take it away. But you can’t. I once believed the actual funeral service was when the family needed you most. But now, I realize the actual service is only one … Continue reading Caring for Families When a Loved One Dies

Every pastor wants a healthy culture of evangelism in the church they lead. We long for our congregation to be burdened for the lost, eager to share the gospel, and convinced of the power of God to save everyone who believes. We desire worship services filled with baptisms and testimonies of God’s saving grace. But not every one of our churches has a healthy culture. In fact, if we are honest, some of us might even admit that our church has neglected evangelism for so long that we aren’t sure if there is much hope for any revitalization. As much … Continue reading 5 Simple Steps for Cultivating a Healthy Culture of Evangelism