Why Your Pastor Might Be Ready to Quit
Every year, many pastors burn out and quit. Why is that such a common reality? Discover ten things that might be discouraging your pastor, and how to help him address it.
COVID
Pastoral Reflection on 2020
As I look back over 2020, I’m more overwhelmed at what God did than what we endured. Yes, this year had its fair share of challenges, but it didn’t hinder God’s work.
Only You Decide What Is Essential
Our culture has debated what is essential and what is not since the emergence of COVID. In reality, no one determines what is essential other than yourself. What have your actions revealed?
Church – It’s Time to Dream Again
What if COVID-19 has provided you the opportunity to prioritize all the things you have dreamed about for your church? Church – it’s time to dream again.
Leading Your Church Through the Rest of 2020
2020 has been challenging, but we still have a ways to go. Instead of losing a critical opportunity by pacing through another intermediate stage as a church, what if you created a strategy for the next three months of which your entire church could get behind?
Think Church Rebuild – Not Church Restart
All church leaders have been imagining what it will be like when we restart and everything returns to normal. That isn’t happening. We need to think about a church rebuild – not a church restart.
Why Homeschooling Is Different Than Hybrid-Schooling
COVID-19 forced many parents to finish up the school year in a hybrid format. For those who were overwhelmed by that experience, that is not the same as homeschooling.
The Looming Decision for COVID Education
I have talked with so many parents who are concerned with the unknown situation regarding their children’s education during these anxious times we live in due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are now in July, and most parents are holding their breath awaiting an imminent decision with serious implications.
My COVID-19 Test Results
When I heard they were testing for the COVID-19 antibodies at the Blood Connection, my curiosity was killing me. You see, I thought I had “the Rona” back in February. I was shocked by the results.
The Ministry Equivalent of Ford Making Ventilators
When the COVID-19 hit, much of our economy came to a screeching halt. While some industries have prospered, most have struggled. Due to the uncertainty of the coming months, Ford did something unexpected: they started making ventilators. When Henry Ford started the company back in 1903, he wasn’t anticipating an assembly line churning out ventilators, yet that is the reality …
How Your Church Website Needs to Change
Your church’s website is important to how you will reach people. It is not the only way, but it is a very helpful way. I firmly believe that the gospel is the power of salvation to those who believe (Rom. 1:16). A church doesn’t need a website to reach people with the news of Jesus, but it is a fantastic …
Realistic Expectations for Church Regatherings
In the weeks to come, many churches who practiced social distancing during the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic will begin to regather. Regardless of when your church decides to meet back together, here are some things to consider. Attendance will be lower. Anticipate that, and don’t get discouraged by it. If your church is intentionally trying to have smaller services, …
Quarantine Recap
Look back over the last 8 Sundays, and look forward to this coming Sunday. Won’t forget, can’t regret what I did for love.
Don’t Pause During a Pandemic
Crises have a way of clarifying who we are. Trials do change us, but they often reveal us more than anything else. The same is true for churches and ministries. When trials come, the health of a ministry is clearly seen. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I personally was in disbelief. “Surely this isn’t happening. No, we are going to …
Leading Towards Regathering Practically
I was honored to discuss “Leading Towards Regathering Practically” with fellow pastors in South Carolina who are all also great friends. It was a part of the South Carolina Baptist Convention’s Advance Anyway podcast they have started during the COVID-19. As pastors, we need to learn from each other without pressure to conform to another’s plans. You are called to …
Questions to Answer Before Reopening Church Gatherings
As a culture walking through the uncharted territory of an international pandemic, we know that we have to begin the process of reopening businesses, parks, restaurants, schools, and even churches. While plenty of measures have been taken to flatten the curve of the COVID-19, we all acknowledge that, at some point, we have to reverse operational trends, yet we must …
Creative Quarantine Ideas for Your Church (That Actually Work)
I would have pulled out my notebook from seminary on how to lead a church through an international pandemic, but, like everyone else, I didn’t have that class. I am making it up as we go along. You are too. I have benefitted from hearing ideas from other places, and I thought maybe this list could help you. As a …
Have We Idolized Easter?
God often uses unexpected situations to teach us needed truths. As the world continues to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all adjusting daily to make sense of it all, protect our neighbors, and grasp the new normal. Until it changes again in another 5 minutes. As a pastor, I want to provide care, direction, …
If Nothing Is Missing in Your Online Worship
Our church has been streaming services for years. We make it available for those who are homebound or traveling. We have a pretty good system of keeping our church family informed through online content. So when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we didn’t have to reinvent ourselves, but we did have to spotlight things we regularly use as supplements. For the …
Leading a Church Financially Through a National Crisis
As we all navigate through challenging and changing scenarios predicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are sure of one thing: we really aren’t sure how much this virus will impact our world. We know it is having an immediate impact, but how longstanding will the fallout be? While there are many challenging circumstances affecting our world (health, safety, security, fear, …
The Zoomy Bunch
Our Rocky Creek Church staff is currently having to meet by Zoom due to the COVID-19 (along with almost every other organization in the world). Our screens kinda reminded us of something the other day… #RCtogether
How to Be a Great Scattered Church Member
Last Sunday, people all over the world had to rethink church gatherings due to the COVID-19. Whether you watched online, had a drive-in at your church parking lot, or some other option, worship felt a little bit different. As we adapt to our circumstances, it’s time to go the 2nd mile in being the scattered church.
Ministry Roundtable on the COVID-19
I don’t remember the pandemic course in seminary. All pastors are learning on the fly in days in like these. We are dependent upon God’s principles contained in Scripture, God’s guidance through His Spirit, and God’s wisdom given through knowledgeable people. My friend, Wayne Bray, has a great heart for the local church. As the pastor of neighboring First Baptist …
Quarantined Discipleship
Life as we know it as changed just a wee bit. With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, our lives are being changed. If you aren’t quarantined, you are at least limited. So, what should you do when your schedule has changed and the world is in fear? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in quarantined discipleship.
When a Mandated Quarantine Forces Ministry Innovation
With the rise of COVID-19 around the world, it has caused everyone to get creative quickly. In ministry and church settings, we have been asked not to gather for a few weeks, but we are also aware that it could be longer. Many ministry leaders I have spoken with regret not having some things in place currently. They were going …
Taking My Eyes Off the COVID-19
It’s Monday morning. We have an international pandemic on our hands, and I don’t know what to do. As an individual, husband, dad, pastor, and friend, I feel like many want me to provide answers. Some I have, but others I don’t. I’m an extremely optimistic pastor. I have faith in God. I know he can do the impossible. I’m …