Pastoring in the 21st Century
I am a collector of quotes. As I read a book, I note significant passages and add them to my collection. At present, I have approximately 20,000 quotes on my computer (yes, backed up!), the fruit of more than forty years of reading, all filed by subject. One of the largest sets of quotes in my collection is on the subject of pastoring, words of wisdom and encouragement that I share daily with the members...
Minister Health Part Two
In my previous article, I addressed the essential elements needed for living a healthy life in vocational ministry today. As a pastoral coach who focuses exclusively on young ministers, the ten essentials I share—five in this article and the five presented in my previous article—require the careful attention of young ministers in America right now, immediately. Click to read Part One of this two-part series on Minister Heath This list of ten essential elements is...
Minister Health – Part One
In my previous article, I presented the results of Journey's conversations with small groups of young ministers across America on the good and the bad of life in vocational ministry. I also shared what they deem to be the essential elements needed for living a healthy life in vocational ministry. Their responses reveal great insights and wisdom. You can read that article here. In this and my next article, I discuss minister health. As a pastoral...
The Good, the Bad, & The Healthy
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE HEALTHY OF LIFE IN VOCATIONAL MINISTRY "The life of the minister is the life of his ministry." Albert Martin We recently sat down with small groups of young ministers from across America and talked life in vocational ministry. Our discussion focused on three subjects: 1. What are the best parts of life in vocational ministry? 2. What are the hardest parts of life in vocational ministry? 3. What are...
Will You Not Revive Us Again, O Lord?
Are you hearing what I’m hearing? America is on the verge of a great revival! All the signs indicate we are on the precipice of a history-making revival of never-before-seen proportions! “Revive your church, oh Lord, beginning with me.” Augustine A REVIVAL STORY. OR IS IT? When God called our family to serve as missionaries to Europe, we left a church we loved dearly. This church was not a “thing” to us but a people....
My Home Church Closed. A True Story.
I read the news today; oh boy About another church that failed the grade. And yes, the news was rather sad I found no reason there to laugh. My home church closed. Even as I type these words, I can’t believe it. And yet, I know it's true. After 48 years of ministry, the church where I was formed in Christ forever closed its doors. The interim pastor placed the keys in the hands of...
Predictions for the Church in 2024
With 2024 only days old, here are my predictions for the Evangelical church in America this year. My predictions are not presented as prophetic (we have enough of those), but as my read on the future based on present trends. There is no “God told me” in the thoughts below so you can put away your stones if time proves I have missed the mark. The sources that flowed together to form my predictions include:...
Starry, Starry Night 2024
CAST ADRIFT IN STORMY SEAS My wife, two young daughters (seven and four years of age), and I had just moved to the city of Tours, deep in the heart of the celebrated châteaux region of France. As first-term missionaries, we had left family, friends, and ministry in America to make a new life in the historic home of the French language. We were here to learn French language and culture, and share the Gospel...
A Young Pastor’s Christmas Wish List
Every Christmas at Journey, we write at least one, if not two, articles on pastors’ Christmas wishes. Last year, we wrote two articles featuring the Christmas wishes of pastors throughout the centuries. You can read those here (Part One) and here (Part Two). Because Journey’s ministry focuses on young ministers, this year, we asked Journey members - and non-Journey members - what they are “wishing” for this Christmas as they carry out their ministry. “What...© [2015] — Journey Pastoral Coaching