10 Ways the Church’s Christmas Season Will Be Different this Year
This year has been a stressful one. It seems nothing is normal, and we don’t even know if there will be a new normal. COVID has affected so much of what we do as a church—including our celebrating the Christmas season. Here are some ways I suspect church will be different this year:
Episode 18: Pastors and Sermon Preparation
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon discuss the process of sermon preparation.What are good sermon prep practices? When should pastors refer to commentaries? How much time should pastors dedicate to preparing sermons each week? Tune in to hear our answers to these questions and many more!
Episode 17: Pastors and Shepherding Post-Election
What message should pastors share with their churches following an election? How should pastors keep their churches focused on the mission during a typically divisive season? How do elections affect the way we view the Great Commission and what do they teach us about the Kingdom of God?Join Ronjour and Brandon this week as they discuss pastors and shepherding post-election season.
Episode 13: Pastors and Time Management
Time management is an essential skill for anyone, especially pastors. But, why is it important for pastors to practice good time management? What resources are available to help pastors steward their time well? How should pastors decide which ministry opportunities they should say “yes” to?
Brothers, We Are Not Rivals
Nothing beats a good rivalry. The athletics world is full of them. In my neck of the woods, one of the greatest rivalries is between two college football teams: The University of Georgia and the University of Florida (or truthfully, whoever UGA is playing at the time). The Bulldogs and the Gators fight it out on the field every year, gridlocked against each other. Rivalry also extends to other areas of life.
Episode 12: Pastors and Criticism
Whether it’s directed at their preaching, leadership decisions, or theological positions, at some point pastors will experience some form of criticism in their ministry. How should pastors respond to criticism? How do they prevent criticism from affecting the way they see their people?
4 Ways to Pray for Your Pastor During Pastor Appreciation Month
Time has seemingly scrapped by since quarantine swept over all of us back in March. But even with the days slowly marching by, we have finally landed in October. This month we celebrate the Reformation and our kids get to run around our neighborhoods (hopefully) to chase after the spoils of Trick or Treating. October is also the month that many churches have set aside to encourage and uplift their pastoral staff through Pastor Appreciation month.
Faithfulness is Still the Goal
For years, I have heard other pastors, seminary professors, and popular conference speakers encourage pastors to pursue ministry faithfulness over “success.” This encouragement is needed because of the dangers of chasing arbitrary successes over trusting that our faithfulness is enough.
Episode 9: Pastors and Burnout (Part 1)
What is pastoral burnout and how does it start? How can churches protect their pastors from burning out quickly and for long periods of time? In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon discuss the challenges behind pastoral burnout and how pastors can get through these difficult seasons stronger than before.
Escaping the Burden of Pastoral Work
Pastor, do you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders? Do you toss and turn at night, restless over lagging attendance, non-existent baptisms, and deficient offerings? Do you stress and worry, half-present at the family dinner table because your mind is still at the office or the last deacon meeting?
Episode 7: Pastors and Mentoring Future Pastors
Is it the responsibility of the pastor to mentor future pastors? What are some ways pastors can shepherd the guy(s) in their church who feel a desire towards the pastorate?Join Ronjour and Brandon this week as they discuss ways pastors can invest in the next generation of church leaders and why it’s important that they do.
Episode 5: Pastors and Big Bad Wolves
We live in an age of distraction. Even before the COVID-19 crisis, pastors were in a battle over the formation of their sheep. Are churches losing this battle to form Christians because of media consumption? How has COVID-19 affected the way Christians are being spiritually formed?
The Pastor and Social Media
Social media is one of the greatest blessings of our time. It serves as a marketplace of ideas that allows a platform for Gospel advancement. But if we’re honest, social media can also be a platform that brings out the absolute worst in people. Such is the world we live in. And as pastors, such is the world we minister in.
3 Ways Your ‘Church Hurt’ Isn’t Being Wasted
A few days ago, I read a story about the baptism of King Aengus by Saint Patrick in the middle of the fifth century. I’m not a history buff, so I couldn’t tell you a thing about King Aengus, though it did make me hungry for a steak. I know a little more about Saint Patrick, but this article won’t be a history lesson about either one of these men.
Learning to Embrace our Weakness
Several years ago, I was going through a particularly painful season of ministry. Everything came to a head one Sunday morning. As soon as I finished preaching, I walked into a side room beside the stage, and I sat in the dark for twenty minutes. While sitting there, a few thoughts began to run through my mind.
How the Book of Daniel Brings Hope into a World of Chaos and Confusion
Navigating a pandemic, as a pastor, has been very difficult. Navigating a pandemic, amid incredible social unrest, during a presidential election year, with a church full of people who are suffering in various ways and confused, has at times, felt completely overwhelming. It’s probably necessary to offer a whole list of appropriate caveats before moving on. Over the last several months, pastoral ministry isn’t the only job that’s been difficult and overwhelming.
The Pastor and Exercise
As a teenager, I dreamed of becoming an exercise scientist and nutritionist. When I was nineteen, I had one year of college under my belt and was on my way to earning a couple of degrees in these fields with hopes of one day opening my own practice to help others build healthy bodies.
Pastor, Your Church Needs You to Take a Vacation
There are two types of sleep: BC and AD. Before Children and After Death. God does not take naps, but you might need one. Far too many pastors do not get a proper cycle of rest. In the fourth commandment, God set up a pattern of work and rest. This pattern goes back to the creation account in which God rested on the seventh day.
Free to Dream: Pastors and Imagination
Perhaps it started with The Phantom Tollbooth. I still remember reading the children’s fantasy novel when I was a child.[1] The strange, and at times bizarre, text captured my imagination. I sat eagerly with the hero as he drove his toy car through the mysterious tollbooth, and I was catapulted into a magical kingdom alongside him.
The Phantoms of Pastoral Ministry
I must confess: I am a pastor, and I have anger issues. No, not issues because of ministry or because of church members. Just issues — because I’m me. I want what I want when I want it. And if I don't get it, I tend to get mad. I’ve learned to hide it well, I think. But if you get close enough you’ll pick up on my anger. Yet God sees it all. I can’t hide from him. That even tempts me to anger. Goodness, I have issues. Can anyone relate?
Sign up for the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership newsletter now!
