Nuggets
For the Baby I Didn’t Get to Hold – This choked me up. Even if you have not experienced miscarriage or stillbirth, you need to read this so that you learn to be compassionate, to weep with those who weep.
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Category: Pastoral Ministry/Shepherding
NUGGETS (for Pastors & Church Members)
The Plague of Lazy Pastors – “Survey after survey reports modern man fears public speaking more than anything else, including death. Add to that the weight of speaking, in the context of worship, on behalf of God.” 4 Reasons You
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How to Recover from Financial Infidelity – A poll found that 2 in 5 Americans admit to lying about or withholding money information from their partner. Another reports that 15 million people have admitted to hiding financial information from their
Continue readingWhy I Wrote “Discipling the Flock”
Having been in local church ministry for close to 30 years, I’m more and more convinced of how much God’s people need comprehensive soul care, which is provided through both public and personal ministry. So, related to that conviction, here
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God’s Purposes for Suffering in Ministry, Part 1 – Pat Quinn draws five purposes of God for ministry suffering from 2 Corinthians. Brokenness – Julie Lowe asks, “Does brokenness threaten to discourage or undo you? Does it cause you to
Continue readingShepherds Gone Astray
The book of Jeremiah is essentially a long essay on apostasy. What is of particular interest is its evidence of the incredible power of leaders to influence people for good or for ill. The prophet begins with a pathetic description
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How Do Pastor’s Pick Their Fights? – “We need pastors and elders who have enough self-control to avoid needless controversy, and enough courage to move gently and steadily toward conflict.” 5 Discipleship Dont’s – “In the church, discipleship is key
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10 Ways to Comfort a Grieving Person – Beautiful counsel from Nancy Guthrie. Social Injustice and the Gospel – John MacArthur nails it. De-Mystifying PTSD – Part 1 of a helpful podcast from the BCC. Pastoring Amid Depression – Helpful
Continue readingAn Interview About My Book “Discipling the Flock”
Today, Books At a Glance published a recent interview that I did with Fred Zaspel. In the interview, Fred asked about the goal and purpose of my book, Discipling the Flock, focusing most of his attention on the second chapter.
Continue reading“Discipling the Flock” Is Now Available for Pre-Order
Shepherd Press announced last weekend that Discipling the Flock is now available for pre-order at 25% off. This is a short book to help church leaders bring about heart-based change in the lives of the people they shepherd, through the
Continue readingSmelling Salts for Weary Pastors
Yesterday, I was blessed to attend a pastor’s appreciation event hosted by the Salem Radio Network, and two of their local Cleveland stations (1220AM and 95.5FM). The keynote speaker was Philip DeCourcy, pastor of Kindred Community Church and preacher on
Continue readingJoel Beeke: Take Hold of Yourself and God in Prayer
Yesterday, I was blessed and convicted by a message Joel Beeke preached at the Desiring God 2011 Conference for Pastors. As Beeke reflected upon the prayer lives of the Puritans, he expounded on seven principles for private prayer. TAKE HOLD
Continue reading8 Advantages of Heart-Changing, Expository Preaching
Gospel ministry has been the main vocation of my life for over 25 years and expository preaching has been the main part of my calling. Therefore, I am continually blessed and challenged to read books that aim to help guys
Continue readingElijah’s Tree Ministry for Discouraged Ministers
Sometimes discouraged, hurting people in ministry feel like they have no one to talk to and are unsure of whom they can trust. As a veteran ministry couple, Carey and Rynette are called to bless pastors and their wives, missionaries,
Continue readingRESET – Learning the Grace-Fueled Life
RESET: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture is a compassionate and courageous book. Reading it from “the other side of burnout” gave me much-needed perspective. About five years ago, I began to receive some of the counsel now
Continue readingCollateral Damage
Collateral Damage is a new book released today. It is the fruit of a ministry partnership of Christian Focus Publications and Practical Shepherding, the ministry of my friend Brian Croft. At twelve years old, James Carroll became the collateral damage
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Trust When Your Illusion of Safety Shatters – “God doesn’t expect me to convince myself that the world is safe or that everything will turn out just as I’d hoped. But He does want me to trust that He is
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Are All Your Friends Your Age? – Here’s why I’m regularly calling our church to Christ-centered, multi-generational ministry and community. If You Are Watching the Game of Thrones You Are Watching Porn – New post from Covenant Eyes. Why You
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