Tag: Leadership

Serving Well

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What does it mean to serve well? If you work at the Kentucky Baptist Convention, your mind might go to our core values—being highly responsive, cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit, committing ourselves as lifelong learners, staying people-focused, and stewarding well. Those values matter. They shape how we work and why we work. But that’s not really the question I want to ask.

We know what it means to serve well. The deeper question is this: What does it mean to be well while you are serving well? What does wellness look like for a Christian? And what does wellness look like for someone who gives their life to ministry and service?

To answer that, I want to turn briefly to the shortest book in the New Testament—just 219 words in the original Greek. In 3 John, the Apostle John writes to a man named Gaius, a common name in the first century, but clearly someone John knew and loved deeply.

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” 3 John 2 (ESV)

John prays for Gaius to be well. Wouldn’t you love to know that the beloved apostle was praying for you? And not just praying for your ministry or your faithfulness—but praying for your personal wellness?

In that short verse, John gives us a glimpse of three kinds of wellness that matter for those who want to serve well for the long haul.

3 Types of Wellness

1. Overall Wellness

John begins broadly: “I pray that all may go well with you.” Many translations use the word prosper. The New King James Version says, “I pray that you may prosper in all things.” That is a beautiful prayer.

John isn’t talking about winning the lottery. He’s talking about life—marriage, family, work, friendships, relationships, and the everyday matters that make up our lives. He is praying that life, as a whole, would be marked by God’s gracious care.

Serving well does not require neglecting the rest of life. In fact, healthy service grows out of a life that is held together by God’s grace.

2. Physical and Emotional Wellness

John continues, “that you may be in good health.” When we hear those words, we naturally think of physical health—and rightly so. Anyone who has faced health struggles knows how deeply they affect every other part of life. We want those we love to be healthy.

But there is also an emotional weight that comes with service and ministry. Those who serve often go and go and go. We give and give and give. We listen and listen and listen. We carry stories, burdens, and heartbreaks that we cannot fix. Over time, that can become heavy.

And all of this happens while we are navigating our own lives in a fallen world. This is earth, not heaven. Emotional wellness matters. Ignoring it doesn’t make us stronger—it simply makes the load heavier.

3. Spiritual Wellness

Finally, John adds, “as it goes well with your soul.” The wording suggests that Gaius was doing well spiritually. His walk with the Lord was steady. His soul was healthy.

That matters more than anything else. Physical strength and professional effectiveness cannot substitute for a soul that is being nurtured by Christ. When the soul is neglected, everything else eventually suffers.

A Personal Word

Last fall and winter, I struggled. At the time, I couldn’t fully explain what was happening, but the struggle showed up physically—anxiety, fatigue, shortness of breath, an elevated heart rate. A visit to the cardiologist and a treadmill test ruled out heart trouble, but the symptoms were real.

Eventually, I recognized several underlying causes. I was grieving my father’s death. His estate was still unsettled. My brother was fighting cancer. And after more than forty years in ministry, I felt the accumulated weight of service.

Most people had no idea I was struggling. As I write this, I don’t know where you are. You may be doing well, or you may be carrying more than you let on. I suspect I’m not the only one who has ever struggled while trying to serve faithfully.

So I leave you with the same prayer John offered long ago:

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”

May we serve well—and by God’s grace, may we be well as we serve.

Staying Well When Life Hurts

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Life can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s the weight of ministry, family struggles, health concerns, or unexpected challenges, we all face seasons that test our emotional and spiritual endurance. Pastors and ministry leaders especially carry a unique burden as they seek to serve others while managing their own stress and fatigue. Since difficulties are a normal part of life, how can we stay grounded and healthy when life hurts? 

5 Keys to Wellness When Life Hurts

1. Love God. Regardless of what is happening around us, nothing will ever substitute for loving God. Jesus said this is the greatest commandment, and on it, all the others depend (Matthew 22:37). Like marriage, our relationship with God requires discipline, attention, and intentionality. Spiritual practices such as prayer, worship, and Scripture reading help keep our hearts aligned with Him. We will have ups and downs, but we must work to keep our relationship with the Lord fresh and strong.

2. Love Your Family. God created the family before He created the church. That truth should shape our priorities. Many pastors and ministry leaders, myself included, have struggled to maintain balance between family and ministry. Yet, God never calls us to sacrifice our families on the altar of service. Make time for your spouse, your children, and those closest to you. The people in your home are your first and most important congregation. When your family life is healthy, your ministry becomes more authentic and effective.

The people in your home are your first and most important congregation.

3. Love People. People are imperfect—just like us. They’ll disappoint you, misunderstand you, and sometimes frustrate you. But love them anyway. Ask God to help you see people the way He does. Love those who support you and those who oppose you. Love the ones who are easy to be around and those who are not. Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39), and that includes everyone He brings into our path. God blesses a heart that loves others well.

4. Love the Bible. Many of us claim to hold a “high view of Scripture,” yet we often fail to give it the priority it deserves in our daily lives. We should not only believe the Bible but live it, teach it, and communicate it with passion and accuracy. As ministers and believers, we must let God’s Word shape our hearts and guide our decisions. When people look back on our ministries, may they say, “He always preached God’s Word faithfully and lived by it sincerely.”

5. Love Yourself. This isn’t about vanity—it’s about stewardship. God gave you one body, one mind, and one soul. Take care of them. Nurture your spiritual life through prayer and devotion. Care for your body by eating well, exercising, and resting. Tend to your emotional health by setting boundaries and finding healthy ways to recharge. When we neglect self-care, we limit our effectiveness and risk shortening the time we have to serve the Lord. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s wise stewardship of the life God entrusted to you.

Final Thought: Life will bring its share of storms, but we can weather them well when our hearts stay anchored in God’s love and our priorities stay in order. Loving God, loving family, loving people, loving the Word, and loving yourself—these five keys can keep you strong when life is difficult and equip you to keep serving with joy.

5 Reasons to Seek Help with Conflict

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In their helpful book Redeeming Church Conflicts: Turning Crisis into Compassion and Care, Tara Klena Barthel and David V. Edling remind us that there are times when it is wise to involve others in the midst of church conflict. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness—it is an act of humility and wisdom. Proverbs 11:14 tells us, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”

Here are five reasons why inviting an outside, godly helper can bring clarity and healing when conflict arises.

1. We Have Blind Spots. Conflict clouds our vision. Because we are emotionally invested, we often cannot see clearly. Others, especially those who are impartial, can discern perspectives we may miss. Scripture reminds us, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart” (Proverbs 21:2). A wise and godly third party can help us see what God sees more clearly.

2. We Forget the Truth. When our hearts are weighed down by burdens, it is easy to lose sight of God’s truth. A faithful helper can gently turn our eyes back to what is good and right. The apostle Paul exhorts us: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8). God often uses the encouragement of others to lift our thoughts back to His promises.

3. Our Fear Is Powerful. Fear can quickly take control when we feel we are losing influence, position, or something we treasure deeply. Fear distorts judgment and feeds division. Yet God’s Word speaks directly to our fear: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). A wise third party can help calm our fears and point us back to faith in God’s sovereignty.

4. Our Tempers Need Restraint. Anger is a dangerous spark in any conflict. The presence of a neutral mediator can help keep emotions in check and set boundaries for respectful conversation. James writes, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19–20). Godly counsel provides space for anger to cool and for grace to work.

5. We Need Encouragement. Conflict often leaves us weary, discouraged, and tempted to lose hope. A trusted encourager can remind us that our hope is not in winning an argument but in Christ Himself. “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God” (Psalm 42:11). Outside help can point us back to the unshakable foundation we have in Jesus.

Closing Thought: Conflict is hard, but it can also be an invitation from the Lord to grow in grace. When we seek wise help, we are walking in humility and trusting God to bring peace where strife once ruled. Remember, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).

Prayer: Lord, when conflict comes, remind us that our hope is in You. Give us humility to seek help, courage to face our fears, and faith to trust Your Word. Make us instruments of Your peace, so that Christ may be glorified in His church. Amen.

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Bible Leadership

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One of the greatest privileges of my ministry has been walking alongside pastors, leaders, and churches as they strive to be faithful to Christ. I’ve seen the blessings of godly leadership and the pain that comes when leadership goes astray. The Bible has much to say about how leaders are to serve, and when we look closely, we find a model of leadership that is both timeless and transformational.

5 Keys to Bible Leadership

1. Leadership Begins with Humility. Jesus gave us the pattern for leadership:

“But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43–45)

True greatness in God’s eyes is not found in lording authority over others but in stooping low to serve. As pastors, deacons, and church leaders, we are called to model the humility of Christ.

2. Leadership Requires Wisdom. I’ve discovered that no leader can walk alone. Solomon reminds us:

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14)

The wisest leaders know when to seek advice and when to listen. In my own journey, godly counsel from mentors and friends has often made the difference between a rash decision and a wise step forward.

3. Leadership Models Integrity. Paul challenged Timothy with these words:

“Set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

Integrity is the bedrock of leadership. People may forget what we preach on Sunday, but they won’t forget the life we live before them Monday through Saturday.

4. Leadership Shepherds the Flock. Peter’s instruction to pastors still speaks clearly today:

“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly.” (1 Peter 5:2)

This reminds us that leadership is not about driving people, but about guiding, protecting, and nurturing them. A faithful shepherd walks with the flock and always points them to Jesus.

5. Leadership Depends on God’s Strength. Every leader—Moses, Joshua, David, Paul—discovered they could not lead in their own strength. God said to Joshua:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

That same promise holds true today. No leader stands alone—God’s presence is our strength and courage.

A Final Word: Biblical leadership is not about building our own platform. It is about faithfully following Christ and helping others do the same. As Paul wrote, “Follow me, as I follow Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

My prayer is that those of us called to lead—in the church, in our homes, and in our communities—will lead like Christ: humbly, wisely, with integrity, as shepherds who depend on the Lord.

✝️ Thanks for reading. If this post encouraged you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can connect with me at stephencraigrice.com.

Being A Good Example

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I’ve always wanted to be a good example, but that multiplied exponentially when I became a grandfather. The truth is, one of the greatest gifts we can give our family, co-workers, and other believers is the example of a faithful life. Paul reminded young Timothy of this truth when he wrote:

“You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings… yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:10–12, ESV)

Paul wasn’t simply telling Timothy what to believe—he was showing him how to live. Timothy had seen Paul’s doctrine, his daily conduct, his endurance through hardship, and his unshakable faith. That’s the pattern for us today. If we want to influence others for Christ, we must be willing to let our lives speak as loudly as our words.

4 Ways to Be A Good Example

1. A Good Example Teaches Truth. Paul began with teaching. Right doctrine matters. People are being pulled in every direction by voices that deceive, but a faithful believer points to Scripture as the unchanging standard. To be a good example, you don’t need to know everything—but you must cling to the truth you do know, and pass it on with humility and confidence.

2. A Good Example Lives What They Teach. Doctrine without conduct is hypocrisy. Paul could say, “You’ve seen my teaching and my conduct.” The world may ignore our sermons, but it notices how we treat our spouse, how we handle money, how we respond when things don’t go our way. Every believer’s life is a message. The question is: is it pointing people toward Christ or away from Him?

3. A Good Example Endures with Faith and Patience. Paul’s life was marked by hardship—persecution, rejection, and even violence. Yet he remained steadfast. That kind of endurance only comes from faith. When we continue to love, serve, and trust God in the face of trials, people see that Jesus is real in us.

4. A Good Example Accepts That Persecution Will Come. Paul was clear: “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” The faithful life won’t always be easy or applauded. But our response in those moments—our patience, love, and steadfastness—shines the brightest witness. A Christian who suffers with grace proclaims the gospel more loudly than a thousand words ever could.

Summary: Being a good example is not about perfection—it’s about faithfulness. It means teaching truth, living consistently, enduring trials, and trusting God when the road is hard. When we do, others will see Jesus in us, and our lives will echo Paul’s words: “From them all the Lord rescued me.”

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the faithful examples of Paul, Timothy, and so many others who have gone before us. Help me to live in such a way that my teaching and my conduct match, that my faith is steady, and that my love is sincere. When trials come, give me the patience and steadfastness I need to honor Christ. May my life point others to Jesus, not to myself. Keep me faithful, even when the road is hard, and remind me that You are always with me and will rescue me in the end. In Jesus’ name, Amen.