Category / Spiritual Life

These are uncommon days when fear can wear down even the most courageous, positive, and level-headed leaders.

The constant bombarding of messages with looming news is exhausting to absorb, and there is no way to escape it.

And candidly, we should not escape it. COVID-19 is a reality, and we have the opportunity to lead our families and congregations through it with grace and poise.

This isn’t our time to turtle up, pull back, and hunker down. It’s our time to stand up, be strong, and shine brightly in the darkness.

What are your dreams and goals for 2020?

2019 is coming to a close, and no doubt you have been dreaming about the potential of a brand-new year.

January 1 … just wide-open possibilities before you.

What will you chase?

Here’s one thing I know that is true about 2020 and you.

Life will present many options and opportunities for you in the next 12 months.

Here’s another thing true… you can’t do them all.

The requirements, opportunities, requests, distractions, and the list goes on will chase you every day.

One of the greatest decisions you can make is to get out in front of your own life and decide what you will chase rather than reacting to all that chases you.

If you’re the pastor or on the church staff, you carry the role of host at Christmas.

Planning for weeks to share the good news of Jesus’ birth, you can’t wait for the guests to arrive. It’s going to be wonderful. You can hardly wait.

You’ve already had services on Sunday, and Christmas Eve is near – more services!

You’ve invested many weeks designing and communicating the invitation. The worship teams have rehearsed for countless hours. Then, of course, writing the sermon, God’s Word carrying the good news. From the parking lot to the hospitality teams to the children’s ministry and, of course, that special Christmas coffee – there is so much involved.

You are praying and praying for people to respond to the invitation at the end of the service…

The big question in this grand celebration of the birth of the Savior is:
When will you have an opportunity to savor the Savior?

One of the greatest risks in local church ministry is not having specific people pray for you as a leader.

Serving as a pastor for 38 years has continued to teach me the importance and the power of prayer. Too often leaders attempt to carry the prayer burden alone and therefore become spiritually unprotected.