10 Things Seminary Won’t Teach You
Lynsey and I feel like we’re getting closer to pastoral ministry. I’ll be finishing my ordination paper this week and I’ll be meeting with the Presbytery board in the Cumberland Association in April. That’s exciting for us. In the meantime, I have started to talk with some pastors about how in the world I’m supposed...
Our God is Greater Than All Other gods.
There is a passage of Scripture I recently read that I woke up thinking about this morning. It is a quote from King Solomon as the people were gathering supplies to build the temple: The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. -2 Chronicles...
Maintaining Margin
Margin is a reserve from which you may meet the needs of others. It applies to time, energy, money, etc. If you maintain margin in an area, you have a constant reserve available to help other people. Maintaining margin also helps you to have what you personally need in times of crisis. For example, if...
The Difference Between a Challenger and a Champion
Despite my wife’s preference for my TV viewing, I have to confess…I love watching boxing and UFC. It’s amazing to see the discipline, strength, and speed of these guys doing everything they can to overcome their opponent. My favorite fights to watch are those that involve a challenger who has worked and fought JUST to...
What to do when you don’t feel like ministering anymore
Be honest with God. Don’t be afraid to tell Him exactly what you’re thinking. He already knows anyway. Servants of God throughout the Bible have been upfront, honest (David), even demanding (Moses) with God. Certainly, God doesn’t have to answer you at all, and it’s only by His mercy that He does. However, He knows...
Thoughts on Student Ministry and the Faith at Home Movement
What you’re about to read are three thoughts I’ve been thinking related to student ministry and the faith at home movement. Specifically I’d like to address whether or not the faith at home movement is the right answer to the problem of teens leaving the church, whether or not student ministry is biblical, and as...
What To Do With, “We’ve Never Done It This Way Before!”
There are several things that can kill momentum on a team – various mindsets and spiritual filters to run ideas through. But what has to be among the worst AND what has to be the most common is this: “We’ve never done it this way before!” For so many teams, this is the #1 filter...
For All the Over-Achievers Out There…
I wanted to write to all of you over-achievers out there who love to do EVERYTHING. If someone asks you, “What do you NOT like to do in ministry,” and you always say, “Nothing! I love it all!” let me first tell you, welcome to the club. I’m definitely in your boat! I love it...
Hit the Right Mark.
Let me give it to you right out of the gate this morning: If everybody in the world thinks you’re knocking it out of the park, but you’re not living up to what God has called you to do, you’re not living up to who you’re called to be. Everybody around you could think you’re...
Divine Contentment.
I’m a pretty driven guy. I’m also a dreamer. I love evaluating and dreaming about ministry events, sermons, systems, and structures that need to be created or made better. I like to push for deeper, higher, farther-reaching, more passionate ministry. I love all of that. A while back, the leader of our college ministry and...
Allen Pointer On Longevity, Senior Pastors, and Advice for Student Pastors
I asked Allen Pointer if he’d do a short interview with me for you student ministry guys, and he agreed. He’s been the Student Pastor at First Free Will Baptist Church in Russellville, AR for the past 20 years. He is also the director of the Truth and Peace Student Leadership Conference. He’s one of...
Potential Is Not Good Enough.
When I was in college, people would throw a word around that was packed with great meaning and always left me feeling encouraged. They would say, “Keep it up Tommy, you have a lot of potential.” That meant the WORLD to me! In fact, I would try to encourage my friends that were working hard...
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