Tag: pastor

Serving Well

Posted in Church Chat, Church Consulting, Church Revitalization, Discipleship, Leadership, Life Happens, Ministry, Uncategorized, WorshipLeave a comment

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.

3 Ways to Respond to a Challenge

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Did you know that only one miracle is mentioned in all four Gospels? Do you know which miracle it is? It is the miracle where Jesus fed a large group of people by exponentially multiplying the lunch of a small boy. I have often wondered why this miracle is so important that the Lord included it as many times as He did.

One day in preparing to preach from John’s account, it hit me that Jesus described how three different people responded to His challenging question, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” (John 6:5).

3 Responses to Jesus’ Challenge

1.  The response of Philip. How did Philip respond? He took out his iPhone and fired up his food preparation app and did the math. The story tells us that 5,000 men were present, so the number was probably 10,000+ when the women and children were included. Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii (8 months wages) worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little” (John 6:7). Then notice what Philip did next. He dismissed the challenge immediately. He gave up without trying. And, he didn’t even consider God in the equation.

2. The response of Andrew. Although Andrew’s reaction was an improvement, it was not much of one. He inventoried available resources and said “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” (John 6:9). After that he dismissed the challenge and he seemed to also leave God out of the equation.

3. The response of the little boy. Interestingly, the little boy is almost invisible in the story. We know nothing about him or his family. We don’t even know his name. All we know is that he was willing to share what he had. I don’t believe for a minute that he was the only person there with food. You mean to tell me that no one had a PB & J? A can of Vienna Sausages or Beenie Weenies? A bologna sandwich? A granola bar? Or a Snickers? Surely others had food, but he is the only one in the story who shared it with the disciples. God took his small gift and used it in a marvelous, miraculous way to feed everyone who was present that day.

Are you facing a challenge? How about your church? If so, then you’re normal. We all face challenges on a regular basis. This is earth, not Heaven. We have not arrived yet. How will you and I respond to the challenge we currently face? Will we respond like Philip and dismiss the challenge immediately? Will we respond like Andrew and take an inventory of what we can do? Or will we respond like the little boy and give what we have to the Lord and trust Him for the results?

Prayer: “Lord, please help me to respond like the little boy in the story with the challenges I face!

An Old-Fashioned Church

Posted in Church Chat, Church Consulting, Church Revitalization, Discipleship, Evangelism, Preaching, Worship2 Comments

A few years ago our Church Consulting & Revitalization Team held a planning retreat in the Southern Indiana Amish country. Although I do not agree with all of the spiritual theology of the Amish, I have always respected them for their commitment to the “old-fashioned ways.” I believe that the modern church should strive to be old-fashioned in certain areas.

Don’t get me wrong, I love technology and would not want to give up my iPhone, iPod, iPad, iCloud, GPS running watch, or any other smart device. I also love a lot of the new music being written for the church today. I prefer indoor plumbing over outhouses, air-conditioning over funeral home fans, and padded pews over pews that make your body go numb, but old-fashioned is still sometimes preferred.

An old-fashioned church is a church fashioned after the Book of Acts!

So, where should the modern church be old-fashioned and what is an old-fashioned church? An old-fashioned church is a church fashioned after the Book of Acts. It is a church with the same priorities of the early church. It is a church that, at it’s core, has the same purpose and focus of the church in the 2nd chapter of Acts.

Characteristics of an Old-Fashioned Church

   42  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43  Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44  Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45  and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46  So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 (NKJV)

1.  Doctrine. The church “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Vs. 42). Several translations choose the word “teaching” instead of the word “doctrine,” but they can be used interchangeably. The apostles taught the people the Word of God. An old-fashioned church focuses on teaching God’s Word accurately, consistently, and thoroughly. The apostles knew that it matters what you believe, so they led the people to believe God’s Word and sought to teach how Jesus the Messiah was revealed throughout the Old Testament.

2.  Fellowship. The word koinonia in the original language was used several times by the Apostle Paul, but Luke used it only once in Acts 2. The word is usually translated “fellowship” and it indicates that the early believers had an uniquely close relationship because of their connection through the Gospel. Their “fellowship” served as a witness to the world that something was different about them that greatly affected their relationships.

3.  Obedience. The early church continued in “the breaking of bread” (Vs. 42).  Many scholars believe this included observing the Lord’s Supper together. Although the Passover meal was a long-standing Jewish tradition, connecting the symbols of the bread and juice to the body and blood of Jesus was new. Jesus told the apostles to continue the practice so they obeyed this new command.

4. Evangelism. The passage tells us that “the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Vs. 47). This tells us that they were sharing their faith on a regular basis. Many modern church problems could be solved if church members would regain a passion for sharing their faith with those who need to hear the Gospel.

Summary: I fear that many churches today do not possess these first four Biblical characteristics. Instead of teaching doctrine, they teach the opinions of man or woman. Instead of experiencing fellowship, they experience conflict and division. Instead of obeying all the applicable commands of the Word of God, they pick and choose the preferable commands that best fit their compromising lifestyle. Instead of focusing outwardly on those who need to hear the Gospel, they focus inwardly on their own wants and wishes.

Is it any wonder that many modern churches are not experiencing a mighty move of God’s Spirit like the churches in the Book of Acts? May God help us possess these vital characteristics of an old-fashioned church.

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.

10 Things I Love About Being A Pastor

Posted in Church Chat, Life Happens, Ministry4 Comments

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as pastor in three Kentucky Baptist churches, along with several interim roles. Through it all, I’ve experienced the unique joys—and occasional challenges—of pastoral ministry. While every pastor’s journey is different, I love many things about being a pastor.

10 Things I Love About Being A Pastor

1. Walking Through Life With People I Know and Love. One of the greatest joys of pastoring is being woven into the everyday lives of church members. From weddings to hospital visits, from baptisms to funerals, I get to walk alongside people I truly care about. As someone who loves people, these connections are both meaningful and deeply rewarding.

2. Offering Encouragement in Difficult Times. Life isn’t easy—for anyone. But as a pastor, I’m often invited into moments of hardship, pain, and uncertainty. These moments are sacred. They give me the opportunity to offer hope, encouragement, and the reminder that God is near.

3. Preparing to Preach God’s Word. Each week, I open the Bible and ask, “Lord, what do You want to say to Your people?” The preparation process is both challenging and invigorating. And honestly, before I ever step into the pulpit, God has already preached the sermon to me.

4. Serving Alongside a Godly Staff. Ministry is not a solo act. Working with a team of dedicated, Christ-centered staff members is one of the joys of church leadership. When we’re united in purpose, it makes the work not only more effective but also more enjoyable.

5. Watching Kids Be Kids. There’s something beautiful about the laughter, honesty, and energy of children. They keep us grounded and remind us what matters most. Plus, they’re great at making us smile—sometimes when we need it the most.

6. Seeing People Become Passionate About Jesus. Nothing compares to watching someone’s heart ignite with love for Christ. Whether it’s a new believer or a long-time church member deepening their walk, seeing spiritual transformation is a thrill that never gets old.

7. Having My Own Passion for Jesus Renewed. Serving as a pastor constantly draws me to a deeper reliance upon Jesus. The responsibility of shepherding others drives me to remain rooted in Him and to stay in His Word daily. It’s both humbling and energizing.

8. Helping the Church Refocus. Churches, like individuals, can lose focus. Helping a congregation rediscover its mission and realign with God’s vision is one of the most rewarding parts of leadership. A renewed focus can lead to renewed fruitfulness.

9. Leading With Vision and Purpose. God calls pastors to lead—not just administrate or maintain. Leading a church with prayerful vision, bold faith, and Spirit-filled purpose is both a heavy responsibility and a great honor. Churches need leaders who are willing to step up and lead with courage and clarity.

10. Learning to Follow Well. Even as a leader, I’m still a follower—first and foremost of Jesus, but also in how I trust and empower others. Good leadership means knowing when to step back, delegate, and cheer others on. Leading well starts with following well.

Final Thoughts
Being a pastor isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. And while it comes with its challenges, the blessings far outweigh them. I’m grateful every day for the privilege God has given me to serve local churches and walk this journey of faith with others.