The below excerpt is from my book The Renegade Pastor’s Guide to Managing the Stress of Ministry. We are amazing creations of God, creations that cannot be separated into neat little compartments. When one part of us suffers, we suffer in every area. In particular, when we don’t feel well physically, we get dragged down mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We find … Read More
Leaders Stand Strong Under Pressure
“If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.” —Proverbs 24:10 (NLT)
Wesley on God-Given Wisdom
“When I was young I was sure of everything. In a few years, having been mistaken a thousand times, I was not half so sure of most things as I was before. At present, I am hardly sure of anything but what God has revealed to me.” – John Wesley (June 28 or June 17, 1703 – March 2, 1791) … Read More
New report shows Gospel growth in ‘missionary graveyard’
Today’s guest post comes to us from Katey Hearth for Mission Network News. In a recent report, Asian Access describes Gospel growth and the momentum they see building throughout Asia. “[During] the last two years, we’ve seen a breakthrough like we haven’t seen in the last 10 years of our ministry,” notes Handley. “There’s enormous opportunity out there in some of … Read More
Serving Together at the Worship Service
The below excerpt is from my book Activate: An Entirely New Approach to Small Groups. This revised and expanded edition shows church leaders how to make their small groups work. Asking your groups to serve together at the worship service at least once a semester is a great way to integrate groups into the complete life of the church. You can consider … Read More
The Call to Prepare
The below excerpt is from my book The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life and Ministry. The call to ministry is the call to prepare — and preparation is an ongoing process. You will never learn all there is to be learned about any subject; you’ll never reach the pinnacle point in any area. And who would want to? … Read More
Taking a Faith Step and a Legal Step
This week’s guest post comes to us from Nathan Camp for StartCHURCH. Starting a church requires faith. No matter how much you prepare, you never feel fully ready or capable. You simply believe, and then you take a step. What comes after will challenge you like never before. Taking the faith step is the moment when you say “yes” to God’s … Read More
Managing Stress Monday: Write Down Your Stress
The below excerpt is from my book The Renegade Pastor’s Guide to Managing the Stress of Ministry. I (Richard) read a book any years ago that I believe was entitled Strictly Personal and Confidential: The Letters Harry Truman Never Mailed. Apparently, the former president had a habit of calling in his secretary to dictate angry letters to reporters, congressmen, and even cabinet … Read More
The Lord Takes Care of Godly Leaders
“It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly.” —Psalm 37:16–17 (NLT)
Wesley On Doing Good
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” – John Wesley (June 28 or June 17, 1703 – March 2, 1791) devout Anglican who remained in … Read More