Notable Voices and the Week in Review: May 6, 2017
Ten Reasons It Is More Difficult to Be a Pastor Today
What to Do When You Build too Big – Rainer on Leadership #324
Nine Very Hopeful Signs for American Churches
Three Questions to Ask of Your Church Communications
When to Pull the Plug on a Ministry and Other Listener Questions – Rainer on Leadership #325
Is There Really a Difference in Tithes and Offerings? — Chris Brown
It’s often printed in the bulletin, or the pastor talks about it as the ushers pass the collection plates. “Tithes and offerings” is often treated as one type of giving. But is there a difference between tithes and offerings? Yep! And as the giver of those tithes and offerings, you should know how to tell them apart.
How Pastors Can Discern Their True Friends — Sam Rainer
Among the biggest surprises is how hard it can be to discern true friends. Don’t get me wrong; most people in the church are friendly. Most people treat pastors with respect. But it can be hard to find friends among those you’re charged to shepherd. Sharing personal concerns, venting frustration, or confessing sin can be hazardous for pastors if done with the wrong person. Pastors often have friends outside the church, but here are some ways I’ve discerned my true friends in the church.
6 Reasons You Should Say “Yes” When Asked to Lead in Your Church — Eric Geiger
As summer approaches, ministry leaders in many churches will spend time recruiting and training new leaders to serve in their church’s kids ministry, the youth ministry, and to lead groups and classes for adults. If you are approached and asked, here are six reasons you should say yes:
Four Reasons to Consider Calling a Pastor in His 50s — Todd Gaddis
The average pastor in America is fifty-four years old, which is ten years older than what it was just 25 years ago. Yet, many pastors find themselves sitting by silent phones once they turn 50. This means an unknown number of average-aged preachers await phone calls that never come, while search committees look to fill pulpits with younger pastors. Should this change? I think it should. As a pastor now in my 50s, I’ve considered at least four reasons churches should call as pastors men in their 50s.
10 Practical Ways to Read the Bible More — Chuck Lawless
Do you struggle with reading the Bible? One reason we wrestle with this spiritual discipline is that we think we must be reading extensively every day or reading not at all; we don’t give ourselves much room for growth in this task. If you want to read more, try one of these simple ideas to get started.
You’ve Been Fired from the Pastorate, What Now? — Ron Edmondson
I’ll never forget receiving a text from a young pastor. A few deacons had asked him to “consider” resigning or they would bring a vote before the church. In my opinion they didn’t have the guts to actually fire him. They know they probably didn’t have enough votes at the church level. But, he loves the church, and didn’t want to cause division, so he did what he felt was the right thing and stepped away gracefully. Of course, there are always issues on both sides, but church can be brutal on a pastor at times. What do you do when the church fires you? Or, when the proverbial rug is pulled out from under you?
