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
Preachers
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
Planned Preaching Retreat
On Monday and Tuesday this week, I met up with seven other ministers (Brendan Chance, Mark Posey, Mike Baker, Dale Jenkins, Daniel Courington, Elisha Freeman, and Trae Durden) in Huntsville, Alabama for one main purpose - sermon planning. We came from different congregations, backgrounds, and states. We each brought our calendars, Bibles, computers, tablets, and … Continue reading Planned Preaching Retreat
More on Teaching
Yesterday we explored learning styles, today I want us to take that a step farther as we discuss Instructional Models. There are in my experience four basic models: 1) Large Group Instruction, 2) Small Group Instruction, 3) Individual (one on one) Instruction, and 4) Private (Self-Guided) Instruction. Taking these models into the Church setting, here … Continue reading More on Teaching
A Message for Church Leaders
What the Christ (Messiah) said to Religious Leaders: Should ministry leaders and church leaders pay attention?!? There is no accusation nor is there animosity in this post. As a minister, a Christian leader, a church leader, and especially as one who stands each week to teach and proclaim faith in Christ, this is for me first … Continue reading A Message for Church Leaders
Your Preacher’s Desire
As a minster I think I can speak for my fellow servants. With 25+ years of experience, I think there are some things I know that we (fellow ministers and I) want you to know about us and our desires. We desire your prayers. Public and private prayers. We covet prayers that bring God into … Continue reading Your Preacher’s Desire
About Preachers and Preaching
As I was thinking about the lessons this Sunday, I remembered a humorous list of poor sermon introductions. I looked through some old files and found a tattered copy. The title in the bulletin clipping is "You Know You're in Trouble When the Preacher Begins With . . . Unaccustomed as I am to public … Continue reading About Preachers and Preaching
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
Why I am a Minster
People I meet often ask me a question similar to the following, “Why did you choose to be a minister?” or more commonly, “How did God call you to ministry?” I do not usually introduce myself as a preacher or minister, but allow people the opportunity to ask what I do. I am regularly amused … Continue reading Why I am a Minster
Driving Thought 