Dec 14, 2017 | Calling, Career, discouragement, Fear, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, People Leaving, Stress, Uncategorized, Work
Growth often starts with subtraction. Thousands of years ago, when Israel was being oppressed by the Midianites, God raised up a leader named Gideon to deliver His people from their enemy. When Gideon initially rallied the troops, 32,000 men showed up. But God said:...
Aug 17, 2017 | Burnout, Calling, Criticism, Depression, Difficult people, discouragement, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Quitting
“John, I can’t take the pressure anymore. . . I’m thinking about resigning.” You’d be surprised how often those words or some variation of them travel across the cellular airwaves to me each month. Lead pastors who feel desperate, tired, emotionally beat up, out of...
Jun 29, 2017 | Change, Depression, discouragement, Fear, friendship, Relationships, Stress
I feel discombobulated. In the past twelve months, three of my sons married the girl of their dreams. My fourth son graduated from Walsh College. Twelve months ago, Laura and I took on part-time responsibility for a new church plant, in addition to our full-time gig...
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...
Jan 26, 2017 | Calling, discouragement, Fatigue, Leadership, Stress, Uncategorized
It’s Monday morning. Sitting here in my office, thinking about yesterday’s church service. Truly a powerful day: Great worship; great message from our lead pastor; great response from our people. We had a great crowd too. Afterward Laura and I met with our team...
Jan 5, 2017 | Calling, discouragement, Fear, Leadership, Quitting, Stress
What can you do when you’re a pastor and have lost your passion? When your calling seems fuzzy, difficult, perplexing, and you wonder: “God, why did You lead me to this church?” Most pastors wrestle with these thoughts occasionally. A couple of difficult...
