Apr 13, 2017 | Calling, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Pastor, Relationships, Uncategorized
One of the biggest mistakes I made as a young pastor was spending too much time trying to get uncommitted people to be committed. I would do breakfasts, lunches, and coffees trying to convince the unfaithful fringe to become faithful. And in doing so, I largely...
Mar 30, 2017 | Calling, Criticism, Difficult people, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Pastor
Criticism hurts. No matter how great a leader you are, there will always be a few parishioners who don’t like you and feel it’s their calling to criticize you. This group who thinks you suck usually ranges anywhere from 4% to 15% of your congregation. And...
Mar 23, 2017 | Calling, Depression, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor
I’m a ministry leader who has been on meds to help with depression, and still uses those meds on an as-needed basis. Whew, I said it! Leaders tend to be a proud bunch. We lean toward projecting an image of having it all together. This false image includes: faith that...
Mar 16, 2017 | Calling, Career, discouragement, friendship, Leadership, Quitting, Uncategorized
I get to talk with pastors and other ministry leaders for a living. It’s a privilege to walk alongside these men and women, and listen to their joys and heartaches, their hopes and fears, their victories and defeats. Wonderful people, each one of them. Yet for a...
Mar 9, 2017 | Calling, Fear, Leadership, Loneliness, Mentors, Relationships, Uncategorized
Pastors often struggle alone. While having breakfast with a pastor earlier this week, we talked about how leaders tend to feel trapped when they’re going through a difficult season. Questions like: “Who do I talk to when I’m hurting?” and “Who is safe to confide...
Mar 2, 2017 | Calling, Depression, Fatigue, Fear, Leadership, Rest, Stress, Uncategorized
The more pastors I talk to, the more I realize many of them struggle with busy. At a recent conference, I asked several pastors how they were doing with taking a day off every week. The first two replied: “I don’t take a full day off and haven’t for years.” Two more...
