Top 10 Posts by Chuck Lawless in 2015
Dear readers,
Today’s post is the final regular post I will have on this site. I thank Thom Rainer for giving me the opportunity a few years ago to begin blogging—an opportunity that led to my launching my own site at ChuckLawless.com six months ago. And, I thank you, the readers, who have made all of this possible. You’ve encouraged me and challenged me to increase my ministry through these writings. If you haven’t yet signed up for my daily posts at ChuckLawless.com, join us there today. Let’s continue this journey together!
Happy New Year!
Chuck Lawless
Top 10 Posts by Chuck Lawless in 2015
#1 – 11 Reasons Pastors Struggle on Easter
Easter Sunday is a day to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Church buildings will likely be more full than all other Sundays of the year. Songs of resurrection will ring out. Congregations will gather in their finest clothes to worship, often followed by a special Sunday lunch.
And yet, for some pastors Easter Sunday is a difficult day. I know, because I’ve been there. Here’s why this day can be a struggle – and why pastors need our prayers.
#2 – 10 Distractions Regarding Worship Music
In 2014, I posted findings on common worship distractions. Since that time, some readers have questioned me more specifically about our findings regarding the musical component of worship. So, the goal in this post is to respond to that request.
Let me be honest about my qualifications up front, though: I am not a musician or singer; I am a church consultant only reporting what our teams have found in more than 15 years of consulting. It is not my intent to be judgmental or offensive. I have utmost respect for those who lead us in worship. With those caveats in mind, here are ten distractions we’ve encountered in the music element of worship.
#3 – The Most Frequent Burdens Pastors Face
In my years of church consulting, I have spent hours talking to local church pastors. Much of the conversation revolves around church structure, vision, etc., but seldom does the conversation stay at that level. Pastors, it seems, long for someone to listen to them. They want someone to share their burdens, even if only for a few minutes.
Listen to the topics of pain I often hear, and take a minute to pray for your church leaders.
At many conferences and meetings I attend, I am expected to wear a nametag. The business world thinks about nametags, but the church world gives them too little thought. Here are ten reasons EVERYONE in church ought to wear a nametag.
#5 – 8 Reasons Pastors Struggle during the Christmas Season
Last Easter, I wrote a post about “11 Reasons Pastors Struggle on Easter.” Now, the Christmas season is upon us. Despite all the fun of this holiday, this time of year can also be difficult for pastors. Here are several reasons why:
#6 – Church Reflections from a 22-Year-Old
This past weekend, I had the chance to hang out with a 22-year-old for three days. George has been raised in a Christian home. He is a believer. He wants to follow the Lord. He is creative and introspective. His mind races in multiple directions at once, and yet he somehow listens and thinks deeply at the same time. He is not a ministry student; in fact, he’s not yet certain where he’ll land when he finishes college.
God has blessed me to pour into George’s life—but I’m the one who is learning. On the spur of the moment, I asked George what ten things he would like in a church if he could design it. Within minutes, he gave me his response—so quickly, in fact, that I suspect he’s thought about these topics before. Compare George’s responses to the young adults you know.
#7 – 12 Reasons Why Church Leaders Don’t Delegate
I admit it – I don’t delegate responsibilities as much as I should. In my attempts to do better, though, I’ve tried to learn from others who share the same struggle. Based on my own experiences and these informal interviews, here are twelve reasons for church leaders not delegating.
#8 – 13 Signs of Leadership Fatigue
Leadership is sometimes wearisome – so wearisome that we come close to giving up. Over the years, I’ve watched leaders slide into defeat, and I’ve seen some of these common signs of trouble.
I list these symptoms of “leadership fatigue” here not to discourage you, but instead to help you recognize them, address them, and move forward. At the end of this post, tell us how we might pray for you if you see yourself in this list.
#9 – Nine Reasons Christians Don’t Evangelize
I’ve been a professor of evangelism for almost twenty years. Over the years, I’ve continually considered and asked why most believers never do evangelism. Here are nine of the reasons I’ve discovered, given in no particular order.
#10 – 10 Reasons Preaching Is Scary
Anybody who knows me probably knows I love to preach. I so clearly knew God’s calling many years ago that only disobedience would allow me to ignore preaching today.
To be candid, though, preaching scares me. Here’s why:
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