What does a healthy church look like? We might begin with a large congregation, a sizeable … 5 Signs of a Healthy ChurchRead more
Ministry
Measuring a Healthy Church
When people are looking for a church to join, what do they look for? Many people … Measuring a Healthy ChurchRead more
A Bad Motive For Starting a Church Ministry
Churches are starting new ministries and programs all the time. But how does a church choose … A Bad Motive For Starting a Church MinistryRead more
How Should Churches Look at Past Ministry?
I have had people in my congregation make comments like, “This ministry was done thirty years … How Should Churches Look at Past Ministry?Read more
What Churches Need to Know About People With Disabilities
Yesterday, we had a town hall meeting at our church. This was to look at, among … What Churches Need to Know About People With DisabilitiesRead more
Top Five Things I Have Learned As a Pastor
I have had the role of a pastor, on and off, for over twenty years. It … Top Five Things I Have Learned As a PastorRead more
Pastors and the Imposter Syndrome
I first heard of the imposter syndrome in the context of blogging. Bloggers often write from … Pastors and the Imposter SyndromeRead more
When Pastors Mess Up
This is not about when pastors mess up by having an affair, developing an addiction or … When Pastors Mess UpRead more
Pastors and the B-Word
As a pastor, I try not to use the b-word. Which b-word? Busy. This is a … Pastors and the B-WordRead more
31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Plan to Finish Well
When it comes to ministry, we can look at our past and our present. But what … 31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Plan to Finish WellRead more
31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Focus on the Family
There is much respect given to pastors who work long hours and who are always available … 31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Focus on the FamilyRead more
31 Days to Becoming a Better Pastor: Connect With Other Pastors
One of the frequent descriptions of pastoral ministry concerns the loneliness of being a pastor. It … 31 Days to Becoming a Better Pastor: Connect With Other PastorsRead more
31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Remember Your Call
I am not the best pastor in the world nor do I have all the answers. … 31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Remember Your CallRead more
A Challenge For Pastors in the New Year
There was a time not long ago when it was trendy fir churches to develop vision/mission … A Challenge For Pastors in the New YearRead more
Good News: Thankful to Be Pastoring Again
It is hard to believe that only three years ago, I didn’t think that I would … Good News: Thankful to Be Pastoring AgainRead more
Who Should Sunday Worship Services Be Aimed At?
One of the things that I have noticed about contemporary Christian ministry is there is disagreement … Who Should Sunday Worship Services Be Aimed At?Read more
Forcing Big Church Ministry on Small Churches
Some of the most helpful lessons I have learned have been from my own mistakes. This … Forcing Big Church Ministry on Small ChurchesRead more
How Long Should a Sermon Series Be?
I don’t think that there is any one answer to how long a sermon series should … How Long Should a Sermon Series Be?Read more
6 Steps I Take Toward Healthy Ministry
As I write this, it is the beginning of September. As a pastor of a church, … 6 Steps I Take Toward Healthy MinistryRead more
The New Worship War
A number of decades ago, a conflict erupted over the style of worship. Some congregations felt … The New Worship WarRead more
My Four Greatest Temptations as a Pastor
When I was studying at seminary, we were told that the greatest temptations for a pastor … My Four Greatest Temptations as a PastorRead more
5 Things I Need to Remind Myself as a Pastor
I love being a pastor. It is one of the most fulfilling things I have done. … 5 Things I Need to Remind Myself as a PastorRead more
Why I Teach Apologetics at My Church
My primary role in ministry is as a pastor of a local congregation. Why then do … Why I Teach Apologetics at My ChurchRead more
What Gardening Has Taught Me About Church Ministry
I am no expert at gardening. In fact this is my first year of even attempting … What Gardening Has Taught Me About Church MinistryRead more
5 Things I Love About Small Churches
I have been most involved in small churches throughout my life. Except for a few years … 5 Things I Love About Small ChurchesRead more
Pastors: Shepherds or Entrepreneurs?
As a pastor, I’m very interested in discussing the role of my calling. If I don’t … Pastors: Shepherds or Entrepreneurs?Read more
An Interview With Darryl Dash on Church Leadership
In this episode, I have the opportunity to talk with Darryl Dash. Darryl is the founding … An Interview With Darryl Dash on Church LeadershipRead more
7 Ways Pastors Can Begin to Integrate Apologetics into Their Ministry
I believe that apologetics is important and not just for those interested in apologetics. Apologetics is … 7 Ways Pastors Can Begin to Integrate Apologetics into Their MinistryRead more
Good News: Encouraged By Church
September is the beginning of the new ministry year at church. This is also my first … Good News: Encouraged By ChurchRead more
5 Questions Pastors Should Ask at the Beginning of the Ministry Year
Although the financial year for a church might start in January, the ministry year really starts … 5 Questions Pastors Should Ask at the Beginning of the Ministry YearRead more
Why You Should Get a Master of Divinity Degree
Perhaps you are considering attending seminary and getting a theological degree. But what degree should you … Why You Should Get a Master of Divinity DegreeRead more
Don’t Be That Pastor
I recently wrote a blog post called Don’t Be That Apologist, where I gave some examples of … Don’t Be That PastorRead more
5 Things That I Love About Being a Pastor
I first had the role of a pastor in 1996 and have been ordained since 2001. … 5 Things That I Love About Being a PastorRead more
20 Things I Have Learned in 20 Years of Ministry
The very first pastoral role that I had began twenty years ago in 1996. I began … 20 Things I Have Learned in 20 Years of MinistryRead more
Effective Generational Ministry
Churches need to reach people with the love and truth of Jesus Christ. But how do … Effective Generational MinistryRead more
Why Apologetics is Essential to Being a Pastor
I sometimes encounter resistance by pastors about the value of apologetics. I have also heard from … Why Apologetics is Essential to Being a PastorRead more
5 Reasons Churches Are Afraid of Disability Ministry
Is your church ready to minister to families with disabilities? Perhaps you want to but have … 5 Reasons Churches Are Afraid of Disability MinistryRead more
Good News: Returning to Pastoral Ministry
Just over three years ago I left pastoral ministry after nine years of pastoring at Woodford … Good News: Returning to Pastoral MinistryRead more
5 Mistakes Pastors Make
Pastors are just as human as everyone else. This means that mistakes are made. The first … 5 Mistakes Pastors MakeRead more
Is the Pastor on Vacation Again?
You show up for church and find that there is a guest preacher. Is that pastor … Is the Pastor on Vacation Again?Read more
Blessed With Ministry
Today was my last day as an “adjunct pastor” at Toronto Chinese Baptist Church. I have … Blessed With MinistryRead more
Ministry and Disabilities Online Training
While much of what I do is encouraging churches to have the right attitude, there is … Ministry and Disabilities Online TrainingRead more
My Good News is Made in China
As some of you may know, I have been semi-unemployed since November. What is “semi-unemployed”? I … My Good News is Made in ChinaRead more
Becoming Pre-Autism Friendly
What if you want your church to be autism-friendly but you don’t have any families with … Becoming Pre-Autism FriendlyRead more
How to Make Your Church Autism Friendly – Print Edition
One of my most personal projects has been How to Make Your Church Autism-Friendly. It has … How to Make Your Church Autism Friendly – Print EditionRead more
7 Things Churches Need to Know About Autism
One of my goals is to equip churches to minister to families dealing with disabilities, especially autism. … 7 Things Churches Need to Know About AutismRead more
5 Tips to Prevent Pastor Burnout
Being in pastoral ministry is one of the most rewarding careers available. At the same time … 5 Tips to Prevent Pastor BurnoutRead more
Does God Call People into the Ministry?
The question of God’s call to ministry is something that has very much been on my … Does God Call People into the Ministry?Read more
5 Ways to Bless Your Pastor
I pastored for fourteen years. While I have lots yet to learn, I did come to … 5 Ways to Bless Your PastorRead more
5 Ways That Pastors Can Introduce Apologetics Into Their Ministry
So you are a pastor who has caught a vision for apologetics. But how do you … 5 Ways That Pastors Can Introduce Apologetics Into Their MinistryRead more
Pillars of a Strong Ministry
Every Christian leader wants to have a strong ministry. But a strong ministry does not come … Pillars of a Strong MinistryRead more
Confessions of an Ex-Pastor
It always broke my heart when I would read stories of how a pastor had a … Confessions of an Ex-PastorRead more