Category Archives: Preaching

Pastor, take time to train up godly men so that you can devote your time to prayer, the ministry of the Word, and shepherding

05 Tuesday Feb 2013

Posted by in Discipleship, Evangelism, Preaching, Shepherding, Teaching, Uncategorized

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I’m noticing a trend in pastoral ministry that may not be new but it may not be valid. When reading Richard Baxter’s The Reformed Pastor some years ago, I was struck with an aspect of his care for his fold. There would be constant visitation, constant prayer, and constant studying of his word to care for the sheep. I am noticing a trend. The pastoral office is moving away from time in a chair and time with people to a rally-leading, church organizing, administrator who preaches.

Now I know full and well there is an amount of administration that needs to be finished by the weeks end. There is an expectation of the Pastor to constantly organize new events, new programs, and new innovations in order to reach unbelievers. This trend, if I’m seeing it correctly, is not a healthy vision of the ministry. The reason does not reside in the Pastor doing administration, organizing events, etc., but in the Pew’s expectations of the pastor. It’s the pastor’s job to reach the unbeliever. It’s the pastor’s job to organize next months Easter program. It’s the pastor’s job to “you name it.”
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Pastor, love your wife and your children…and your dog

29 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by in Preaching, Service, Shepherding, Teaching

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The pastoral office is dear to my heart. It is arduous, yet so rewarding. It is painful, yet so fulfilling. It is a wonderful office and the men fulfilling those roles are to be commended. For Paul, those desiring this office, “desire a noble task” (1 Tim 3:1). Slowly, over the course of the following 2–3 months, Jason and I want to provide encouragements to the pastor, provide a basic outline of pastoral duties, and try to be a voice for any church going reader to view the pastoral office from a different vantage point.

Our goal is not necessarily to reproduce various works on the office of Elder or to “recreate the wheel” in describing their role. Moreover, when reading through the Pastoral Epistles, it would be difficult to narrow down a set of “7 Marks of the Pastor.” We don’t want to be reductionists, we don’t want to take the place of other men currently in your life, but we want to be a written voice, from afar, shouting, “Stay the course.”

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Preaching and Planting: The two go hand in hand

24 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by in Ecclesiology, Preaching, Shepherding

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Much has happened over the last few months! This has been a time of great blessing for the three authors. Ken has been called into a ministry to those in the Navy. Shawn is now pursuing his doctorate in Louisville (Some fly-over state) :) . In November I was called to pastor a church plant in Las Vegas, Cornerstone Community Church. My transition is still underway, but the desire to get writing again prompts this action.

Shawn and I are currently thinking through a series on pastoral ministry. This issue is extremely prevalent in my mind right now as I transition from part-time to full time ministry. Already the desire and temptation to be stretched in 1,000 different directions is prevalent. Add all the chores involved with moving, and life is crazy. Life right now has three focuses (in no particular order): shepherd the family, shepherd the church, and get moved in. All three can easily be a full time job.

As we move forward with the church plant a few questions seem to come to mind. “Where do we begin?” “What should our focus be on?” “How do we grow?” “Where are you located?” “How can you build a ministry without a premier location?” Considering our (all three authors’) convictions are to minister according to His Word, the natural starting place for me is Scripture. Continue reading »

How to Care for Your Local Church Pastor

05 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by in Discipleship, Ecclesiology, Preaching, Shepherding, Teaching

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Caring for those in the pastoral office has to be found somewhere in the Scriptures, and as a pastor, it may be one of the more awkward items to talk about. However, I have found myself being in a position I haven’t been in for about 6 years which makes it a little easier to talk about. How do you, as a congregation, care for your pastors? Pastors are tired, yet joyful. Pastors are discouraged, yet constantly refreshed. Pastors have one of the most joyful, rewarding, and refining work. But how do/should congregational members care for their pastors (yes, the associate is a co-equal with the preaching pastor). Furthermore, are we asking the wrong question? Aren’t the shepherds supposed to shepherd?

It was during my time in Seminary that I was introduced to the idea of caring for your pastor. I read a chapter, later turned into a small pamphlet, entitled Praying for Sunday: You, Your Pastor, and Your Next Sermon. Little did I know that great affect this pamphlet would have on my praying life.
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Why, as a Young Pastor, I love the “Ordinary” Pastor….Especially Those in my Life!!!!

06 Monday Aug 2012

Posted by in Biblical Counseling, Ecclesiology, Preaching, Service, Shepherding

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One of the greatest memories from my early years in undergraduate studies are the vivid expressions and word pictures from my Old Testament professor. My favorite is an ad hominen slam against the person he is talking to and an exaltation of the person being compared. Take for example, one of my favorite dead theologians, Jonathon Edwards. In his comical and joking way, he would say, “Edwards could take out half of his brain and still be smarter than you.” The hilarious insult and vivid imagery is quite whimsical. If Edwards took out half of his brain, first, he’d be dead, but moreover, take away half of the intellectual abilities of Edwards, and he still thinks better than you.

However, one of his “sayings” has stuck with me over the years. He’d constantly reminisce over influential men in his early years as a believer or people that he highly respected and say, “I’d drink from that man’s shoe.” The literal implications of this allegorical portrait is quite appalling, but nonetheless, is effective in its meaning. He is exalting this person’s influence in his life to the point of being willing to do anything and everything to be around the guy.
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Why Time Heals No Wounds….Well Sorta!

17 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by in Biblical Counseling, Preaching, Shepherding, Theology

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Within the arsenal of pastoral ministry is biblical/pastoral counseling. You’re the spiritual guru, or at least, should be. Within the pastoral endeavors, you’re bound to come across those that are spiritually lazy, faint and tender hearted, need encouragement, or those who refuse to stop drinking from the fountain of sin. Within my shepherding undertakings thus far, one of the major themes within my biblical counseling is that of broken relationships central to forgiveness.

Extending forgiveness is one those spiritual disciplines, yes I meant spiritual disciplines, that may be the easiest conceptually to see but the hardest to personalize. For example, one lady I’ve counseled communicates her longing to be forgiven by God for her sins. She comprehends the depth and extent of forgiveness that God will offer, but not it’s not for her and only for others.

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The Gospel and Expository Sermons

18 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by in Preaching

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I believe in expository preaching. I believe it is the preacher’s job to open the Bible and explain the message of the text! The Word of God should be central in our worship! Nothing more true is said in worship than when Scripture is read to the congregation. Yet when the preacher has faithfully exposited the text–meaning he gets the authorial intent right and conveys it to the audience, then Yes! God’s Word is being conveyed to the people. The greatest Wesley hymn is still a human product. The Word of God is the message from the Lord meant to equip and prepare the believer for righteous deeds–conforming him or her into His image! (2 Tim 3:15-16). Continue reading »