Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 10

Tested: When God Uses Ministry to Reveal

Let’s be honest—ministry can feel like a test. Not in the “fill-in-the-blank” kind of way, but in the deep, heart-exposing, identity-shaping kind of way. You step into leadership with a clear call, a hopeful heart, and the best of intentions, only to find yourself face-to-face with moments that challenge everything you thought you knew—about God, about people, and about yourself.

And maybe that’s the point.

God does test us—not to shame us or push us away—but to reveal where our trust lies and what we’re really leading people toward.

God Isn’t Just Looking at Our Ministry—He’s Looking at Our Hearts

In Exodus, God rescues His people with miraculous power. He parts the seas. He crushes Pharaoh’s army. He brings them out of slavery.

But freedom didn’t mean ease.

Just weeks into their journey, they’re hungry, thirsty, and unsure. And that’s when the tests begin. Not because God was being harsh—but because He was after their hearts.

“The Lord—the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth.” – Exodus 34:6

That verse—right there—is our anchor. God’s testing isn’t cruel. It’s compassionate. He’s not trying to trip us up. He’s helping us walk upright.

Test #1: Will You Remember What God Has Done?

Before they ever hit the dry places, God showed up:

He saw, heard, and knew their suffering (Exodus 3:7–8).He acted with covenant power (Exodus 6:6–7).He fought for them at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13–14).They worshiped Him for the victory (Exodus 15:1–3).

But as soon as things got uncomfortable, they forgot. And honestly—so do we.

We forget the answered prayers, the open doors, the healing, the clarity. We forget how God brought us through that last hard thing, and instead of trust, we grumble.

The question is not: “Will you pass the test?”
The real question is: “Will you remember who God has already proven Himself to be?”

Test #2: What Do You Do with Bitterness?

Three days after the Red Sea miracle, they hit their first challenge—bitter water (Exodus 15:22–27). Their instinct? Complain. Moses’ instinct? Cry out.

God’s response? A miracle and a promise.

Leadership will bring bitter places—seasons where expectations die, people disappoint, and things don’t taste like you thought they would.

But God doesn’t waste bitterness. He transforms it. And in that test, He reveals whether we will lead from cynicism or dependence.

Test #3: Can You Trust God with Just Enough?

When the people hunger, God sends manna—but only enough for today (Exodus 16). No stockpiling. No strategy. Just daily bread.

And isn’t that the leadership test?

We want long-term plans, well-oiled systems, backup volunteers, and financial padding. But God often gives just what we need for today—so that we’ll come back tomorrow with empty hands and expectant hearts.

God isn’t interested in building our confidence in our leadership. He’s interested in building our confidence in Him.

Test #4: Will You Obey When It Makes No Sense?

In Exodus 17, the people are thirsty again. This time, God tells Moses to strike a rock.

A rock!

That’s not a normal source of water—but God provides. Because His provision often flows from obedience, not logic. Leadership will include moments that don’t make sense. God will ask you to take risks, to speak up, to forgive, to wait, to give more than you have.

And those moments? They reveal what you’re really trusting.

Don’t Run From the Test—Lean Into It

Hebrews 3 warns us about what happened at Massah and Meribah, where the people hardened their hearts in the wilderness.

“Watch out…so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” – Hebrews 3:12

That unbelief is never far off. It’s just one discouraging email. One failed event. One unmet expectation away.

Friend, if you’re feeling tested in your leadership right now—don’t run. This isn’t about passing or failing. This isn’t about performance. This is about faith. God is giving you an opportunity—not to prove yourself—but to trust Him. Let this be the season where dependence deepens. Let it be the moment where you stop striving and start surrendering. Let it be the space where you watch God move in ways you’ve never seen before.

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Who Evangelizes the Most? (The Surprising Answer)

I grew up in an evangelical Southern Baptist church in rural Illinois during the 1990s. From a young age, it was made clear to me that I should quickly come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and my next task was to share the Good News with everyone around me. I attended church camp every year, and I specifically remember one experience where I earned my team more points in the weekly contest by memorizing the Roman Road to Salvation. By the way, I can still recall most of those verses word for word, even twenty-five years later. So, that sort of stuff really does manage to lodge deeply in the minds of impressionable youth. 

However, from a purely social science perspective, evangelism may be one of the most significant metrics for tracking the growth or decline of a religious tradition. There are only a couple of ways for

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How Many Hours Must a Pastor Work to Satisfy the Congregation?

How many hours must a pastor work each week to satisfy the congregation? This question, often unspoken, hovers over many churches and their leaders. A simple experiment I conducted several years ago might shed some light on this complex issue.

When I was a pastor in St. Petersburg, Florida, I surveyed the twelve deacons in my church (I often joked that we had eleven good deacons and one Judas!). The survey listed several pastoral responsibilities, and I asked them to share the minimum amount of time they believed I should devote to each area every week. The list included about twenty predefined responsibilities, with space for them to add others if they wished.

I wasn’t entirely sure what I expected from the survey, but the results were startling. After tallying the responses, I discovered that to meet the deacons’ minimum expectations, I would need to dedicate the following hours each week:

Prayer at the church: 14 hoursSermon preparation: 18 hoursOutreach and evangelism: 10 hoursCounseling: 10 hoursHospital and home visits: 15 hoursAdministrative functions: 18 hoursCommunity involvement: 5 hoursDenominational involvement: 5 hoursChurch meetings: 5 hoursWorship services/preaching: 4 hoursOther: 10 hours

Total: 114 hours per week

To put this in perspective, meeting the minimum expectations of twelve deacons would have required me to work over 16 hours a day, seven days a week. Alternatively, if I took one day off, I’d need to work 19 hours a day for six days a week. And keep in mind, these expectations came from just twelve people—not the entire congregation.

This exercise revealed an impossible reality: no pastor can humanly meet the varied and often conflicting expectations of every church member. The sheer number of responsibilities competing for limited hours in the week creates constant tension for pastors.

A Few Key Questions

For Laypeople: What are your workweek expectations of your pastor? Are they realistic, and do they account for the human limitations of a single individual?For Pastors: How do you manage these expectations without succumbing to burnout or neglecting your personal and family life?

Reflecting on this topic reminds us that ministry is a calling, but it is also a role performed by humans with finite time and energy. Honest conversations about expectations—rooted in grace and mutual understanding—can lead to healthier relationships between pastors and their congregations.

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What Pastors Should Wear While Preaching (Proper Church Dress Code)

Between the 4th and 6th centuries, early Christian ministers adopted distinctive attire, setting them apart from the people they shepherded. As long robe-like garments of the Roman and Greek Empires became less popular in civil life, the church retained the attire for clergy, which evolved into what we know today as vestments.

In many Christian traditions, clergy still wear liturgical garments. As a low-church Baptist, I have limited knowledge about the use and symbolism of Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox, Methodist, and Episcopal vestments. However, in many of these churches, the expectations concerning clergy attire are clear. This article addresses the muddied perspectives of dress codes in evangelical churches.

How a pastor dresses is ultimately much less important than teaching sound doctrine and caring for the congregation. But people do notice what you wear. I’m personally into watches and dress shoes. These two hobbies affect my fashion decisions; my church obviously sees these choices when I preach. My Saturday night routine involves polishing shoes and picking a matching watch strap. I tend to dress up more than down.

But a couple of questions come to mind regarding the unwritten dress code of pastors. Should pastors dress up on Sunday since they are leaders? Or should they try to blend in with the congregation and be more relatable?

Dress up or blend in? If you dress up, you tend to be more formal than the typical church member. Since I minister in Southwest Florida, flip-flops are standard church attire. My polished leather shoes and tailored sport jacket stand out as dressier than most. Some pastors dress similarly to the typical church member and are not easily identifiable unless on the stage or behind the pulpit. Why does it matter?

Dressing up signals discipline, preparedness, and respect. Blending in signals relatability and approachability. Neither approach is wrong, but you can’t be both simultaneously. In fact, I suspect most pastors are choosing their Sunday outfits more intuitively than strategically. Or they grew up a certain way and retained the habit. Even if you give almost no thought to how you look on Sunday morning, you still send signals by how you dress.

Age and personality play a role. I enjoy the details of craftsmanship. Omega’s co-axial escapement is one of the most significant advancements in watchmaking in the last two hundred years. The Edward Green 888 last is the perfect blend of modern style and elegance—the finest of Northampton shoemaking. I enjoy wearing watches and dress shoes because they fit my personality. You should feel free to dress in a way that fits who you are.

Not only does personality affect style, but age does as well. There is a cringe factor when watching a pastor “try too hard” with fashion. The goal is often to appear far younger, but the attempt falls flat. Your wardrobe will naturally evolve with age—and perhaps your waistline. It’s ok to graduate from one style to the next as you get older.

Casual attire can be high status. Some sneakers are status symbols, much more so than bespoke oxfords. Forms of casual dress can be a sartorial flex. Just because you are wearing a hoodie and jeans does not mean you are dressing down to blend in, especially if the clothing articles are from limited production lines of desirable brands. Accessories such as fountain pens, briefcases, and even specific Bible editions can project high-status signals.

I have no problem with pastors making consumer choices. I am a free market capitalist, so if you want to spend money on an expensive fountain pen or a nice pair of sneakers, that’s your decision. You may intentionally spend less on a vehicle, for example, to spend more in another area. While I may spend more on a pair of dress shoes, someone who is an avid fly fisherman may pay the same amount for a top-of-the-line rod and reel.

Perhaps some of you believe this subject is trivial when considering the grand work of God’s kingdom. You are correct. But pastors do receive a lot of comments (both positive and negative) about their wardrobe choices. So, be wise about how you dress, but don’t be overly consumed with fashion. You may choose to blend in to be more approachable. Or you may choose to dress up to signal respectability and discipline. I can’t imagine wearing a hoodie to preach (or vestments for that matter), but I think it’s great if you do.

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Am I Too Lonely? A Free Self-Scoring Tool for Pastors and Church Leaders

Generally, pastors are content with their callings. A study by Ryan Burge noted that 83% of clergy felt happy at least four days a week, and 85% reported having life satisfaction almost daily. While this data was collected before the pandemic, there is little reason to believe that pastors are more dissatisfied as a professional group than any other. Additionally, the longer a pastor is in ministry, the higher the satisfaction rate.

But what about loneliness? It’s reasonable to propose that a pastor may be content with a calling but also feel lonely relationally. Research from Barna reveals the top two reasons pastors consider quitting are stress and loneliness. This same study demonstrated an increase in pastoral loneliness—from 42% of pastors saying they felt frequently or sometimes lonely in 2015 to 65% of pastors in 2023.

Everyone will feel lonely at times, but problems emerge when these feelings become more frequent and lead to social isolation. The American Psychological Association (APA) warns that social isolation is rising in the general population due to a convergence of factors.

A record number of people live alone.More than half the population is unmarried.Household size is decreasing as people have fewer children.Rates of volunteerism are down.Connections to religious groups are declining.

The problem among pastors (and others) is not feelings of loneliness, which we should expect to occur occasionally. The real issue is chronic loneliness, leading to social isolation. Frequent loneliness is linked to dissatisfaction with one’s family and community. In short, the longer you stay lonely, the more likely you are to be dissatisfied with life, pushing you further away from the people who can help you.

Factors Uniquely Affecting Pastoral Loneliness

Pastors struggle with loneliness for several reasons, many of which are inherent to the nature of ministry.

The Burden of Leadership. By design, the people you lead are not supposed to solve your problems. As a church leader, you are tasked with equipping others to solve their problems. Pastors are expected to lead and shepherd their congregations, which often means making difficult decisions, addressing conflicts, and carrying the spiritual and emotional weight of others. This responsibility can create a sense of isolation, as pastors may feel they have no one to turn to when they need guidance or support.

Lack of Close Friendships. Many pastors find it challenging to form deep friendships within their own church. While congregants may admire and respect their pastor, the dynamic of being both a spiritual leader and a friend can be complicated. Sharing personal struggles with church members can sometimes backfire, leading to breaches of trust or unrealistic expectations.

The Pressure to Appear Strong. There is an unspoken expectation that pastors must always have the answers and be spiritually strong. Many pastors fear that admitting struggles, doubts, or loneliness might be perceived as a failure in their calling. This pressure to maintain a façade of strength can push pastors into deeper isolation.

Confidentiality and Emotional Burdens. Pastors regularly counsel individuals who share deeply personal struggles, from marital problems to addictions, grief, and spiritual crises. However, they cannot openly share their own burdens or seek advice from their congregants due to confidentiality and professional boundaries. This creates a one-way relationship in which they listen to and carry the struggles of others but have few outlets to process their own emotions.

The Accumulation of Compassion Fatigue. Compassion fatigue is an excessive weariness due to the cumulative effect of caring for, listening to, and helping people with emotional and spiritual problems. The issue is more pervasive than most realize because pastors are the first spiritual responders in moments of crisis. They experience repeated exposure to deep and troubling matters. The result is detachment, leading to reduced compassion. Guilt then surfaces because of an inability to serve others, and a vicious cycle forms.

Unrealistic Expectations from Congregants. Churches often expect their pastor to be available 24/7, provide spiritual guidance, manage administrative tasks, preach inspiring sermons, and maintain a near-perfect personal and family life. These expectations can be overwhelming, leaving little room for personal relationships and rest.

Lack of Support from Peers. Unlike other professions where colleagues can share challenges and encouragement, many pastors do not have peers in their immediate church context. Unless they actively seek out pastor support groups or denominational networks, they may feel like they are facing their struggles alone.

Ministry Transitions and Isolation. Many pastors relocate for ministry opportunities, which can result in them being physically distant from long-time friends and family. Moving to a new town or congregation means starting over relationally, and sometimes the demands of ministry prevent them from forming strong social connections in their new location.

The Spiritual Weight of Ministry. Pastors are engaged in a spiritual battle, constantly praying for and guiding others in their faith journeys. This spiritual weight can sometimes lead to discouragement, especially when they do not see the fruit of their labor, experience church conflict, or feel spiritually drained.

Understanding and addressing pastoral loneliness is crucial, not just for the well-being of pastors but also for the health of the churches they serve. When pastors are supported and connected, they are better equipped to lead, love, and shepherd their congregations effectively.

Download a free PDF of the Pastoral Loneliness Self-Assessment Tool

If you’re looking for a safe place to ask church leadership questions, check out our membership at Church Answers, which includes access to Church Answers Central.

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Is Your Church High, Low, or Average Capacity? A Formula That Predicts Growth or Decline

How fast can the church adapt and change? Capacity involves ability. How capable is the church of moving forward? The Capacity Filter Formula is a simple way to gain a general understanding of your church’s ability to handle change. As you answer the three questions below, be as accurate in your numbers as possible. If your church is smaller, you may be able to put names to numbers. If your church is larger, do your best to make accurate estimates.

Answer the questions with numbers, not percentages.

How many people are active in your church? How many supportive leaders are in your church? How many malcontents are in your church?

Active people are ones who attend your church at least twice a month. Supporters are those who are not only active but also willing to champion your vision for

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Fifteen Unusual Hospital Visits Experienced by Pastors

Pastors visit church members and others in the hospital. It’s what pastors do. Most patients appreciate the ministry and efforts of these pastors.

But that doesn’t mean the pastors’ visits are uneventful. I turned to social media to learn about some of the unusual visits pastors have experienced. Here are my top fifteen submissions:

Amen and Die. One pastor prayed, and the church member died just as he said, “Amen.” That’s not all. This happened with three different members on three separate occasions—right at “Amen.” I’m glad I got his name on social media. He is not coming near me. Do I hear an “Amen”?Flying Bedpans. There was no further explanation, but it’s worthy of a high ranking.Nude Runner. Indecent exposure stories were common, but my favorite was the elderly woman who chased the pastor down the hallway. She was completely nude.Quiet Conversations. A family introduced the pastor to the patient when he arrived. The pastor had a pleasant conversation with the patient until one family member finally revealed that the patient was deceased.Jailbreak. An elderly patient asked the pastor to lean in so she could speak to him. As he complied, she grabbed his shirt and yelled, “Get me out of here! They are trying to kill me!”Bad Timing. One pastor learned the hard way that walking into the patient’s room with the doctor can really scare the patient.Bad Timing 2. Another pastor discovered it’s even worse to walk into the room with the local funeral home director.Bad Word Choice. A pastor told a patient, “See you on the other side,” right before surgery. He meant after the procedure, but the timing was less than ideal.Bad Word Choice 2. A pastor walked in while the patient’s daughter and wife were telling the doctor to unplug the patient, saying, “He wouldn’t want to live like this.” The doctor responded, “He will recover just fine, and he can hear you.”Too Much Company. A pastor’s visit turned awkward when the patient’s two current girlfriends showed up, followed by an ex-girlfriend and an ex-wife.Missing Starbucks. A heavily sedated patient insisted that the pastor was her barista and became agitated when he didn’t have her latte.Know When to Fold Them. A pastor closed his eyes to pray for an accident victim. Unknowingly, he grabbed the rail and pushed the button that folded the patient in half.Emergency Call. A patient called the church office, requesting an immediate visit. When the staff member arrived, it turned out the patient just needed help cutting her hamburger steak.Only One-Half? The student pastor was sent to visit a church member in the hospital. The family introduced him as a “half pastor.”Wrong Guest. A pastor began speaking to another guest in the patient’s room. When he asked where she attended church, she gave the name of his own church. Of course, he had never seen her before.

So many great stories! I’ll probably need to do a part two at some point.

In the meantime, let me hear your hospital visit stories!

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When Ministry Unexpectedly Hurts

I’ve been there.

Ministry sometimes feels like a slap in the face, often when you least expect it to happen.

A good friend turns against you.Somebody with more authority makes a decision that affects you negatively.Another leader misinterprets your actions and accuses you of wrong.One harsh word from another overshadows any good words you’ve heard the same day.Someone you led to the Lord tells you he’s walking away from his faith.

Sometimes doing God’s will still hurts.

What do you do when that happens?

Take your pain to the Lord. The psalmist is helpful to me here when he expresses his grief to God, as in Psalm 31: “Be gracious to me, Lord, because I am in distress; my eyes are worn out from frustration—my whole being as well. Indeed, my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning; my strength has failed because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away” (Psalm 31:9-10). It’s okay to cry out to God from a wounded soul.Remember your calling. I’m so grateful my call to preach was distinct and undeniable for me—so much so that I’ve never been able to shake it. I’ve needed that clarity more than once when I wanted to run in the other direction.Push past the bad to see the good—look for the glimpses of God’s work in your life. Don’t let the present-tense pain cause you to miss the past-tense and present-tense evidence of God’s grace toward you. Seeing just one good act of God can soften the pain of the bad; a glimpse of God’s glory can go a long way toward healing.Recognize that you’re working with sinners. In fact, you’re one, too. It’s usually the case that both of us still have room for growth, and neither of us is perfect. Many folks we shepherd have never really been discipled, and they are still childlike/selfish. Sinful people still act like sinners—but clinging to that truth can help you let go of the pain they cause.Realize that today’s pain often becomes tomorrow’s memory. That is, you may have experienced pain in the past that you thought would never go away—but it did. You felt like you’d always be hurting, always be frustrated—but that didn’t happen. Somehow, God brought you through it in the past—and He will do the same today.Consider confronting someone if needed, but do it prayerfully and lovingly. Don’t let someone else’s actions lead to your own sin. Take your pain to God first (see #1 above), rest in His presence first, and then confront another under the leadership of the Spirit. Model Christlikeness in all your thoughts and actions. Even if others don’t always do the same, you need to show them something different.Trust the sovereign hand of God. As I look back over 44 years of ministry, I remember a number of times when the pain of leading God’s people was real—including some times when “throwing in the towel” seemed to be a viable option. At the same time, though, I simply cannot recall any of those times when God did not use it to grow me in Christ. His purpose was always, always, always greater than my pain. I just needed to remember that truth in the moment. Perhaps you do, too.

As I’ve written these words, I’ve also prayed for any Church Answers readers who might be in the middle of pain right now. Know that you’re not alone.

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Why You Can’t Manufacture Discipleship (And What Church Leaders Can Do)

One of the most frequently asked questions in the church is, “What is God’s will for my life?”

Generally, people ask that question when they have reached a specific decision point in their lives. They need to know whether to move, get married, stay single, change jobs, or stay where they are. It’s wonderful when people want to know what God wants them to do. To be sure, God cares very much about the answers to these specific questions.

At the same time, though, the general answer to the question of God’s will has already been answered. His will for every Christian is the same—for each believer to become like Jesus. Consider Ephesians 1:3-4. 

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

As church leaders, we can confidently tell anyone in the congregation that this is what God wants for them—His will is for their discipleship. But even as we say that, we must recognize that discipleship isn’t something we can manufacture. Despite our efforts, intentions, and programs, the process of a person being conformed to the image of Jesus is not something we can accomplish. That work belongs to the Holy Spirit and Him alone:

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

This is an essential realization for us as church leaders. What we can’t do is the actual work of transformation. Are we able to look inside a person? Are we able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart? Are we able to change desires, tastes, and behaviors? If we think we can, we are destined to live with frustration and failure. Not only that, but our misplaced efforts also rob the Lord of His glory.

But the realization of our limitations shouldn’t make us passive. Just because we can’t do the work of transformation does not mean we can’t do anything. It might be helpful to think of it in terms of farming.

Can a farmer make it rain? Or make the sun shine? Or ensure that both occur in the right proportion at the right time? Of course not. Yet, the farmer is responsible for many other things. In other words, he is responsible for preparing the conditions he can control in advance for what he cannot.

This is what we can achieve in discipleship. We can create the right conditions, and we do that in various ways. We accomplish it through teaching, connecting people, providing resources, and empowering other leaders. All these actions aim to establish the proper environment. It’s all we can do.

In a sense, everything we do to create the right conditions represents acts of faith. We believe that God will carry out the work of discipleship transformation, and as a reflection of that belief, we establish those conditions. Then, we trust.

Rooted Network wants to help you set the right conditions. Hundreds of churches are understanding how the Rooted experience can not only help people learn the core rhythms of discipleship, but also experience them in the life of the church. To find out more, visit experiencerooted.com/churchanswers .

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Family First, Church Always: The Joy of Serving Together

Prioritize your family. Never stop serving the church. These two ideas are not at odds. My family is my primary ministry. They matter more to me than any local church. For that reason, I hope my family thrives in our church. One effective way I can nurture that love and growth in my family, especially with my kids, is by involving them in ministry.

The Lord has blessed my wife and me with three sons. They love our church family, and our church loves them. I’m genuinely grateful. Regarding the church, I hope my kids will love others well and feel loved in return. It’s a joy to have my kids involved in my life and our church community. Here are a few ways I strive to maintain that joy:

Encourage them to find a place to serve. I want every young person in our church, including my sons, to discover a role in service. I hope they will embrace this role and serve Jesus faithfully. Admittedly, service manifests itself differently in children depending on their age, personality, and other factors. Nevertheless, I hope my sons will always contribute to the church.Take them with me on trips and speaking engagements. My life involves a lot of travel. Whenever I go out of town, I always try to take one of my family members along. Not only does it help keep me accountable, but it also allows me to spend time with those I love the most. My wife always joins me at our denomination’s annual meeting. My oldest son usually travels with me for two or three-day trips. My younger sons may accompany me to one-day speaking engagements. My boys often mention how much they enjoy these times together, and I’m so glad the opportunity is there.Explain certain aspects of my job. Church leaders’ kids witness many events in the church that other children don’t experience. It’s inevitable. Therefore, instead of having them feel confused or frustrated, I strive to clarify why certain things are happening. I want them to understand why Dad might have more evening meetings than usual. I want them to know why a specific person no longer attends our church. I explain how my job differs from other jobs. I don’t share everything about the church with my kids. However, I do try to keep them informed to a certain extent.Surround them with godly individuals in our church. One of the beautiful realities of the church is that we are a family who helps each other improve. The people in our church help guide my journey as a Christian, and by God’s grace, I also support their growth. The same goes for my children. The church assists my kids in their walk with Jesus. Thus, I involve my sons in my ministry by surrounding them with those who will help them become better men of God.Elevate joy and laughter. Having fun is always preferable to the alternative. We have a very lively household. Humor and playfulness are significant aspects of our lives. Therefore, we carry that humor and playfulness to church as well. We laugh, we play, and we relish being with others who enjoy laughter and play. Of course, there’s a time to be serious and solemn. I teach this to my children as well. However, I would fail my children if they came to see church and ministry as dull and boring. May it never be so.Talk about them in my preaching and teaching. My kids usually enjoy it when I mention them, but that may not always be the case. I also know each kid is unique, so I use discernment. When I am in doubt about whether something I say will bother my kids, I ask them ahead of time. Mentioning my kids in my preaching seems to connect the church with my family.

These are a few ways that I seek to involve my kids in my ministry. What has worked for you? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

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