Jul 12, 2018 | Anxiety, Calling, Career, discouragement, Fear, Success, Work
Over the weekend, Laura and I helped some dear friends move into their new house. I was freshly reminded of the stress moving into a new home places on people: the boxes, the planning, the long hours painting and cleaning, and the overall disruption it inflicts on...
May 17, 2018 | Anger, Burnout, Depression, discouragement, Emotional Health, Fatigue, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Pastor's Spouse, Rest, Stress, Uncategorized, Workaholism
“John I’m feeling depressed.” In my line of work, I often hear those words. Having experienced major depression two decades ago, when someone tells me they’re feeling depressed, I wonder: are they having a couple of bad days in a row—or are they dealing with...
Mar 22, 2018 | Calling, Career, Disappointment, discouragement, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Uncategorized
What do you do when ministry doesn’t work out the way you envisioned? When your expectations are swallowed up by disappointment? How do you react when you feel more like a firefighter (or a babysitter) than a leader? Have you ever thought to yourself: “I didn’t sign...
Feb 1, 2018 | Burnout, Calling, discouragement, Fatigue, Leadership, Pastor, People Leaving, Quitting, Stress, Uncategorized
What should you do if you’re a pastor and have lost the passion for your calling? What can you do when your assignment seems fuzzy, difficult, perplexing, and you find yourself wondering: “God, why did You lead me to this church?” Most pastors wrestle with these...
Jan 4, 2018 | Burnout, Calling, Career, Depression, discouragement, Emotional Health, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, People Leaving, Stress, Uncategorized
It’s 2018! Every New Year’s Day for me brings with it a sense of a fresh start, rekindled hope, and renewed faith. I think most pastors anticipate the new year with optimism, and hold the sincere belief that the year ahead will be even better than the one they’ve just...
Dec 21, 2017 | Calling, Difficult people, discouragement, Fear, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, People Leaving, Quitting, Uncategorized
I have exciting news to share with you—our newest book—Putting the Good in Goodbye: A Healthy Conversation About the Comings & Goings of Church People—is due out in January 2018! I coauthored the book with my friend and colleague Jim Wiegand, and decided to salt...
