Chuck Lawless: Here are the top 12 responses to a Facebook and Twitter survey. Surprises?
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5750″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”http://www.expastors.com/pastor-survey/” title=”2015 Pastors’ Survey Says Much About Why Journey Pastoral Coaching Exists”][vc_column_text]ExPastor.com: Pastors respond to questions about their call, depression, burnout, family expectations and more. While it’s not a scientific sampling, the results line up with other surveys on the same subject. THIS is why Paul David Tripp says that every pastor needs to be pastored. THIS is why Journey exists to pastor the pastor.
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5703″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”http://kuyperian.com/following-rob-bell/” title=”Following Rob Bell: The Edges of Faith & The Center of the Zeitgeist”][vc_column_text]Lauren Chandler: The prophetic voice of the American church has gone hoarse. The issue is the pulpit and those who fill it. Case in point: The Rob Bell Narcissistic Pastoral Model.
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5508″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/5-misconceptions-about-the-pastors-wife” title=”5 Misconceptions About the Pastor’s Wife”][vc_column_text]Lauren Chandler: Some churches have their own set of unwritten qualifications for the pastor’s wife, many of which create unrealistic expectations and abundant misconceptions. These can place undue pressure on the wife of a pastor. This shouldn’t be the case, however, since Scripture knows no such formal category. Here are five popular misconceptions about the pastor’s wife . . .
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5403″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/261864-well-church-understand-role-pastor.html?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRokv6zLZKXonjHpfsX67O8qUaSxhYkz2EFye%2BLIHETpodcMTcpmPK%2BTFAwTG5toziV8R7DEJM1u2dkQXhXh” title=”The Biblical Role of Pastor”][vc_column_text]Dan Reiland: Whenever I hear someone say … “I’m helping my pastor get his ministry accomplished” … I cringe just a little. I know that comes from a good heart, but there is a better and biblical principle still to be discovered . . .
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5109″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”http://www.albertmohler.com/2006/04/17/the-pastor-as-theologian-part-one/” title=”The Pastor as Theologian”][vc_column_text]Al Mohler of Southern Seminary: Every pastor is called to be a theologian. This may come as a surprise to some pastors, who see theology as an academic discipline taken during seminary rather than as an ongoing and central part of the pastoral calling. Nevertheless, the health of the church depends upon its pastors functioning as faithful theologians–teaching, preaching, defending, and applying the great doctrines of the faith . . .
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5020″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjHMZKNKbTk&sns=tw” title=”VIDEO: Everything You Need to Know About Church Planting … In 3 Minutes”][vc_column_text]Video: Have you thought about church planting? Here’s a concise but complete 3 minute course in how to do it. Plant your tongue firmly in your cheek and enjoy as we laugh at ourselves for 180 seconds . . .
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4962″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”http://www.expastors.com/5-ways-to-survive-and-thrive-in-ministry/” title=”5 Ways to Survive in Ministry”][vc_column_text]Greg Crawford: The last three years have been the hardest years I have ever experienced. I have seen the evil in people and felt the direction of that evil. Throughout those years I have “quit” a hundred times. I have entertained job offers outside the ministry and even thought of completely moving and restarting somehow. Those three years have seemed like an eternity. Here are the choices I made that determined my survival . . .
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4869″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”http://www.christianitytoday.com/karl-vaters/2015/august/adapt-or-die-six-steps-to-start-becoming-innovative-church.html?start=1″ title=”Adapt Or Die: 6 Steps to Becoming an Innovative Church”][vc_column_text]Karl Vaters: Adapt or die. The longer I spend in pastoral ministry, the more convinced I am of that truth. Especially in small churches. The good news is, because of our size, small churches have the ability to adapt more quickly than our larger counterparts. Like steering a speedboat instead of an ocean liner.
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4712″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”http://www.churchplants.com/articles/10285-9-things-that-will-still-be-true-for-your-church-in-10-years.html” title=”9 Things That Will Still Be True About Your Church in 10 Years”][vc_column_text]Rich Birch: Great church leaders are like sailors who are reading the breezes and adjusting the sails to catch the winds of change. While we worry about the latest social media trend or where music in the church is headed or if it’s possible to train robots to do pastoral care, we also need to invest in what we know will remain true and build our ministries, systems and approaches around that.
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4696″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”http://www.churchleaders.com/smallgroups/small-group-articles/253195-10-reasons-ministry-isnt-wimps-2.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=clpastors_newsletter&utm_content=5%2F12%2F2015+8%3A54%3A40+AM” title=”Pastoring Isn’t For Wimps”][vc_column_text]Jared Moore: The blessings of ministry far outweigh the realities above; however, ministry is definitely not easy. . . Furthermore, always remember that God has called you to love His church, not merely His mature church, but His immature church, as well. Moreover, a call to ministry is a call to bleed . . .[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4693″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”How to Pastor An Evangelistic Church” link=”http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2015/august/how-to-pastor-evangelistic-church.html”][vc_column_text]Ed Stetzer: Most Christians have never shared their faith and called others to trust Christ.Ever.
Not even once.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”6737″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”7 Frustrations of Every Pastor” link=”http://churchplants.com/articles/13256-frustrating-things-pastors-experience-ron-edmondson.html?utm_source=cp-nl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text-link&utm_campaign=cp-nl&maropost_id=729729570″][vc_column_text]Ron Edmondson: Here is my reply of some of my most frustrating things I see as a pastor. Please understand, I’m simply being honest[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1463604874191{background-color: #ededed !important;border-radius: 2px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”6215″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”11 Signs of a Monster Pastor” link=”http://thomrainer.com/2016/05/five-questions-prospective-pastors-rarely-ask-search-committees-but-should/”][vc_column_text]Scott Attebery: Monster pastors have little regard for the sheep. Instead, their first priority is self, …. Such pastors may use pressure tactics, political maneuvering and/or persuasive speech in order to manipulate a congregation into acting on their behalf. Simply put, monster pastors are building their own kingdom rather than Christ’s kingdom.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”6058″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”Five Question Prospective Pastors Need to Ask Pulpit Committees” link=”http://thomrainer.com/2016/05/five-questions-prospective-pastors-rarely-ask-search-committees-but-should/”][vc_column_text]Thom Rainer: “This church is nothing like the search committee described. They said they were ready for change. They are, as long as it doesn’t affect them!” It is critical that prospective pastors ask questions about the church. There are five questions, however, which are rarely asked. These questions could be key toward avoiding some of the unpleasant surprises many pastors encounter. [/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5983″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”Don’t Waste Your Life Doing Youth Ministry” link=”http://www.churchleaders.com/youth/youth-leaders-articles/272207-dont-waste-your-life-doing-youth-ministry.html”][vc_column_text]Greg Stier: You’ve seen the statistics and heard the horror stories. Many (if not most) teenagers abandon the church after they graduate from high school. The biblical literacy of Christian teenagers is spiraling downward and the passion for all things worldly skyrocketing upward. Families are more broken. Teenagers are more apathetic. Youth ministry is more difficult. So don’t waste your life doing youth ministry.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5992″ img_size=”750×500″ alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”Why Pastors Think About Quitting” link=”http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-how-to/255011-pastors-think-quitting.html?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWldVelltTmlNREJtT0RBMCIsInQiOiJ6U05GQ3BLZHVKVGNSektlS0VobGpVTkc4RFJhU3NyVHVPQk5kZFRHWXVWdlpETjBhXC9pTnJVQmRsbms5ZHVrTVd4emwrVUg5WFdkVUtucTN5dXMzalhDS05OaHlDc1FLcUZJSm9ZVDBhXC84PSJ9″][vc_column_text]Josh Reich: I heard at a conference recently that two out of three pastors are thinking about quitting. While many statistics often feel made up, I can say that as a pastor, this stat rings true. Pastors know this. Many people in their churches do not. There are a few reasons why pastors think about quitting:[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4828″ img_size=”750×500″ alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”Youth Minister Salaries Survey” link=”http://youthministry.com/wp-content/upload/ymprod/Group-Magazines-2015-Youth-Ministry-Salary-Survey.pdf”][vc_column_text]
Rick Lawrence of Group Magazine: It’s the one thing we don’t talk about in “polite company”—our financial life. In our 2015 Youth Ministry Salary Survey, you’ll confirm what you already know, and ram into some surprises. For example, the typical youth pastor in our survey is …
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5531″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”The Pastor’s Personal Holiness. ” link=”http://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/kevindeyoung/2015/07/23/the-pastors-personal-holiness-2/”][vc_column_text]Jason Helopolous: Nothing is more essential to a pastor’s calling or the ministry he extends to others than his own personal holiness. As I reflect over the past decade of watching fellow brothers in the pastorate fail morally, the threats seem to come in four primary categories. Dear pastor, be on-guard against each . . .
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5425″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”Pastors’ Survey Reveals Discouragement Among Many in Ministry” link=”http://www.expastors.com/pastor-survey/”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1485387747034{background-color: #eaeaea !important;}”]ExPastors.com: Getting an accurate account of what pastors have gone through or are currently going through isn’t easy and no one survey is a complete study. But in the interest of adding to the larger body of knowledge concerning the well-being of pastors, ExPastors.com conducted a survey of its followers. The results were all too similar to other such studies and only serve to emphasize the importance of pastoral coaching and peer mentorship for ministers.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5155″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”5 Steps to Suck the Rock Star Out of Your Worship Leader” link=”http://www.churchplants.com/how-tos/9988-5-steps-to-suck-the-rock-star-out-of-a-worship-leader-2.html”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1485387729207{background-color: #e2e2e2 !important;}”]Carlos Whittaker of Church Plants: I actually connect and LOVE leading worship with fantastic production and bands to rock you. It is part of my life, what I regularly get paid to do, and I’m really good at it. But I think there are ways to do this worship leading thing while bouncing any glory you may feel back onto the face of Jesus. And to be honest, it’s not always easy . . .[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5040″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”Pastor, These Three Things Are On God’s Shoulders, Not Yours. Peace.” link=”http://pastors.com/these-3-things-are-on-gods-shoulders-not-a-leaders/”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1485387585485{background-color: #e8e8e8 !important;}”]Jonathan Pearson: When God called Moses, he didn’t seem like a good candidate to lead the nation God had called out and separated for Himself. However, God in all his wisdom chooses Moses. As he’s telling Moses about the call that He wants him to complete, Moses begins to make excuses. During this quick exchange between God and Moses, we can see 3 things that God says He’ll do for Moses. I think He’s still telling us leaders today, “I’ll take care of these, you just go.”[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4968″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”PODCAST: 5 Questions for Worship Pastors” link=”http://www.lifeway.com/churchleaders/2015/08/14/5-leadership-questions-about-being-a-worship-leader/”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1485387558960{background-color: #e2e2e2 !important;}”]Barnabas Piper: Worship leaders are among the most prominent and obvious leaders in the church. They are in front of congregations weekly helping people enter into corporate worship, primarily through music. So it seemed fitting on a leadership podcast to dig into the role of “worship leader.”[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4942″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”25 Weird Things People Have Said to Their Pastors. This is Fun!” link=”http://thomrainer.com/2015/08/twenty-five-really-weird-things-said-to-pastors-and-other-church-leaders/”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1485387534307{background-color: #dddddd !important;}”]Thom Rainier Few people are truly aware of the constant requests, complaints, and criticisms pastors and other church leaders receive. I must admit, however, I was surprised when I asked church leaders on Twitter to share some of the more unusual comments they have received. I was first surprised at how many responded. But I was most surprised at the really strange things people tell pastors and other church leaders . . .[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4691″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”http://www.churchleaders.com/worship/worship-articles/169791-mark-love-your-pastors-secrets-read-slowly.html” title=”The Pastor’s Secrets”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1485387514649{background-color: #dddddd !important;}”]Mark Love: It’s difficult being a minister. In the hard times, I always felt like many of the people in the church didn’t really understand us. Where our hearts were, how we were feeling, what our intentions were, how best to help us help the church. Which often felt dysfunctional . . . .[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”6212″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”3 Reasons Pastors Don’t Equip” link=”http://www.artrainer.com/11-bible-verses-for-the-anxious-leader/”][vc_column_text]Eric Geiger: The role of pastor is divinely designed to prepare others for ministry, not to perform all the duties in ministry. Pastors are not called to “do ministry” but to “equip believers” to minister to one another (Ephesians 4:11-13). And yet . . .[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”6069″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”11 Bible Verses for the Anxious Leader” link=”http://www.artrainer.com/11-bible-verses-for-the-anxious-leader/”][vc_column_text]Art Rainer: From performance to personnel issues, the reasons for a leader’s anxiety are innumerable. Like many leaders today, you may find yourself feeling immersed in anxiety. And you desperately desire to come up for air. God knew that anxiety would find its way into our lives. So He talks to us about it in the Bible. Here are 11 Bible verses for the anxious leader:[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5840″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”7 Ways to Care for Your Pastor” link=”http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/7-ways-to-care-for-your-pastor”][vc_column_text]Shawn Wilhite: I know addressing pastoral care can be awkward. But it doesn’t always have to be. Here are seven simple ways church members can care for their pastor.
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5639″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”Shepherding Your Church AND Your Family” link=”http://www.sbts.edu/blogs/2015/11/11/striking-the-balance-shepherding-the-family-and-the-flock-part-i/?utm_content=buffer7a13d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=sbtstwitter&utm_campaign=buffer”][vc_column_text]Herschel York of Southern Seminary: Too many pastors spend time preparing sermons and lessons for church members while neglecting to impart a heart for God to their own children.
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5428″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”The Surrendered Pastor and Church” link=”http://pastors.com/the-surrendered-pastor-and-church/”][vc_column_text]Ronnie Floyd of Pastors.com: There continues to be a deep need for a spiritual revival in our churches today. I am often asked how we experience such a revival. My answer continues to be that until we make a decision to deal honestly with God’s questions about full allegiance to Him, there will be little or no prospect of a revival in our hearts, no stirring of the Spirit in our churches, and no awakening in our land. A surrendered pastor and a surrendered church will experience spiritual revival.
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5398″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”How to Pray for Your Pastor or How Your People Can Pray for YOU, Pastor” link=”http://www.bloggingtheologically.com/2013/09/20/pray-for-your-pastor/”][vc_column_text]Dave Jenkins, Servants of Grace Ministries: The Schaeffer Institute’s research paints a disturbing picture:50 percent of newly appointed ministers will not last 5 years;
Over 1,700 pastors leave the ministry every month;
70 percent of pastors constantly fight depression;
Prayer is a mighty weapon and a means of grace God has given His people—and your pastor needs your prayers. Here are four ways you can be in prayer for your pastor . . .[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5099″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”REPORT: The Stats on Pastoral Health and Satisfaction. Uh oh. ” link=”http://www.expastors.com/shocking-stats-reveal-how-pastors-and-their-families-are-negatively-impacted/”][vc_column_text]
Bo Lane of ExPastors: People in the church don’t have a real sense of all that a pastor does. They think he works a few hours on Sunday morning and that’s about it. They also have unrealistic expectations of his own humanity. Although these unrealistic and unwritten demands come from within the local body, or perhaps from those in greater authority of the local pastor, it’s still the responsibility (a battle, some might argue) of the pastor to achieve this balanced life for themselves and their families . . .
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4994″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”Questions to Ask in Answering THE Question: Am I Called to Pastor?” link=”http://www.christianpost.com/news/questions-to-consider-before-pastoring-a-church-141645/”][vc_column_text]Shane Edelman: We believe in the call of God to the pastorate: it’s not a career choice, but God’s hand at work in us for the sake of His glory, the good of His people, and the salvation of those separated from Him. It’s NOT about you or me. But how do we know if we are called by God to pastor His church? Here are nine questions that might help you get THE answer to THE question. . .
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4958″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”Reasons Why Pastors Leave the Ministry” link=”http://www.pastoralcareinc.com/articles/10-reasons-why-ministers-quit/”][vc_column_text]Jim Fuller: It’s a war out there. And in there. Few pastors will talk about it, but here are some of the reasons why your pastors may be thinking of quitting . . .
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4865″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”10 Keys to Long Term Pastorates” link=”http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/257070-10-habits-pastors-healthy-long-tenures.html”][vc_column_text]Thom Rainer: Imagine what might take place if pastors consistently stayed at churches for 10 or more years. Imagine that their tenure was largely healthy. Imagine what would happen in our congregations through increased stability . . .
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4703″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”My Single Biggest Regret” link=”http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/258890-single-biggest-regret-lifetime-ministry.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&bt_alias=eyJ1c2VySWQiOiIyYzQ1ZTc0MC02OWQ3LTQzOGItOWY0Yi1iYmU4ZjBjMGUwYzkifQ%3D%3D”][vc_column_text]Joe McKeever: I invite you to read this opening to my journal dated October 1980. I was 40 years old and Margaret was 38. We were in our 19th year of marriage, and pastoring the First Baptist Church of Columbus, Miss. Our children were 17, 14 and 11 . . .
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4683″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” title=”Three Occupational Hazards of Pastoring” link=”http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/3-occupational-hazards-for-pastors”][vc_column_text]Dan Dorlani: Pride seems to be our greatest danger. My work causes me to travel widely, and my years as a senior pastor and seminary professor make me an unofficial consultant after I speak. The stories I hear suggest that three temptations—all related to pride—commonly beset Christian leaders, especially if they have growing, prominent ministries[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4695″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” title=”Statistics on Pastors” link=”http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=36562″][vc_column_text]The Schaeffer Institute The Schaeffer Institute brought several studies together to present these statistics on the health and vitality of those who lead the church. They are 2007 numbers, but does anyone really think these numbers have improved since then . . .
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