I hear people complain about their jobs. They talk about their co-workers, their boss(es), management, governmental interference, regulations, restrictions, paychecks, insurance, taxes. The list goes on and on. I hear preachers complain about churches, elders, members, pay, hours, taxes, unwritten expectations, etc. My first paid ministry position was an internship in Calhoun, Georgia the summer … Continue reading The Greatest Job
ministry
Preaching
Preaching. That is what I do. Preacher. That is what I am. I first began serving in ministry during the summer of 1986 as an intern in Calhoun, GA. I followed that with a worship leader role in Montgomery for a few months until, I began working with a church in Bay Minette, AL. After … Continue reading Preaching
How Did That Happen?
April 15 was not a good day for one lady in her sixties. No, as far as I know she did not learn she owned the IRS a pile of taxes. She was attending a Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Socks baseball game when a ball fouled off the bat of Stephen Souza, Jr. … Continue reading How Did That Happen?
Parenting is a Ministry
Went through the archives and found this post. Thought it was a good time to share it again. The Ministry of Parenthood There are a number of texts to speak about the role of parents: Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:21, and Psalm 127:3 come to mind. Then there are general verses about every Christian being a minister … Continue reading Parenting is a Ministry
Hiring a New Preacher
Like all good preachers I have a file or three of clippings (old school paper and filing cabinet) along with an folder on my computer and cloud storage of bulletin articles, blogs, and newspaper finds. Today's post is from the hard copy file from an old newspaper clipping. In a letter to Dear Abby a C.W. … Continue reading Hiring a New Preacher
Good Church Leaders and Ministers
A few years ago I shared an adaptation of what education author Todd Whitaker writes in “What Great Teachers Do Differently” {2nd Edition (Larchmont, NY:Eye on Eye Education) 2012}, applying it to parents as their child’s first and primary teacher. Specifically chapter 11 where Whitaker discusses how good teachers repair relationships with students. I thought about that blog this morning and considered … Continue reading Good Church Leaders and Ministers
Meet the Minister
Since beginning my work at Central Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa the last Sunday of May 2014 the congregation has had three "Meet the Ministers" fellowships. One was a Homemade Ice Cream Social after assembly one Sunday evening. The other two have been smaller groups either at someone's home or at the building. There is … Continue reading Meet the Minister
What do you do all day?
I wish I knew how many times children come to me between classes and worship or after worship and ask, "Where do you work?" I love the puzzled look on their faces, when I say, "Here." Their reply is often, "No, I mean the rest of the week!" Again, I answer, "Here. I work here … Continue reading What do you do all day?
Your Preacher
A while ago, Adam Faughn asked me to write and article about preaching for his blog: Faughn Family of Four. As I was looking through some files I came across the article and updated it for today's blog post. About three years ago I posted a question on a Social Networking Q&A site. The question … Continue reading Your Preacher
A Welcoming Church Atmosphere
There is plenty of church growth material available in the form of books, online research, lectures, etc. Many of them offer great advice and strategies to bring seekers and the unchurched to your congregation. Some books focus on different programs. Some focus on what one might call gimmicks or marketing campaigns. Others break down research … Continue reading A Welcoming Church Atmosphere
Driving Thought 