“Healthy churches are constant in prayer. Consider the apostle Paul’s words to the Christians at Ephesus: ‘For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.’ (Eph. 1:15-16 ESV)” – Dr. Gary L. McIntosh, internationally … Read More
Consider Rest and Renewal A Serious Part of Your Ministry
Today’s guest post, an interview with author, psychiatrist, international speaker and Bible teacher Pablo Martínez, comes to us from EvangelicalFocus.com. What drew you to speak and write on the subject of Christian workers taking care of themselves? In my work as a psychiatrist, I have witnessed too many broken lives, too many Christian ministries ruined because of wrong assumptions—exhaustion does … Read More
Small Group System: The Trust Issue
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. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus made a promise: “For where two or three are gathered in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (NKJV). When you take that promise to … Read More
Renegade Pastor Tip: Allow God to Direct Your Time
The below excerpt is from my book The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life and Ministry. Can you imagine how effective you could become if you allowed God to direct your time? According to James, if you need wisdom about something, all you need to do is ask God, and He will give it to you (see Jas. 1:5). … Read More
Ministry Spotlight: Faithful Parking connects churches — and their available parking — with the RV community
Faithful Parking provides a solution for connecting millions of families and retirees traveling by RV with available church parking in exchange for a modest contribution. More than half of money collected is passed along to the church or qualifying charity of their choice. The program also opens the door for ministry. Currently, a family on a multi-day journey must choose between the expense of … Read More
Managing Stress Monday: The Benefits of Praise
The below excerpt is from my book The Renegade Pastor’s Guide to Managing the Stress of Ministry. Life comes at us like a hurricane sometimes, and it’s difficult to remember the very things that will help us most. If you find that you are in this position, and you need to make praise a bigger part of your life, then simply … Read More
Leaders Will Be Victorious
“All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” —Revelation 21:7 (NLT)
America’s Epidemic of Empty Churches
Today’s guest post comes to us from Jonathan Merritt for theatlantic.com. Three blocks from my Brooklyn apartment, a large brick structure stretches toward heaven. Tourists recognize it as a church—the building’s bell tower and stained-glass windows give it away—but worshippers haven’t gathered here in years. The 19th-century building was once known as St. Vincent De Paul Church and housed a … Read More
Emotional Wellness: Remember How Much You’ve Been Forgiven
The below excerpt is from my new book The New You: A Guide to Better Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Wellness. Click here to order your copy today! If you are struggling to forgive someone who hurt you, pause and remember just how much God has forgiven you. Think about the magnitude of God’s grace in your own life. Think about … Read More
Mental Wellness: Praying for Yourself
The below excerpt is from my new book The New You: A Guide to Better Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Wellness. Click here to order your copy today! See if you can relate to this scenario. It is five minutes before a big presentation, an important conversation, or a major event, and you find yourself praying, “Oh, God, please be with … Read More