Pastors, Please Take Your Vacation
As a pastor, you go where you’re needed—counseling a couple on the brink of divorce, the side of a hospital bed or presiding over an unexpected funeral. But there’s another place you’re needed. And if you’re being completely honest with yourself, you might be avoiding it. Pastors need to take...
You’re Not Alone!
“I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone.” —Numbers 11:17 Moses was overwhelmed by the burden of leading God’s people. More than...
A Changeless God in an Ever-Changing World
“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” —Malachi 3:7 The writer to the Hebrews says that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. But one could also say that we are surrounded by a great cloud of changes. While many crave consistency, we...
God’s Plan for His People
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet...
Prayers for the Call Process
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” —Luke 10:2 Many congregations will be praying, watching and waiting, as our seminaries hold call services for our new pastors this week. Whether you or your...
9 Ways to Encourage Young People to Consider Church Work Vocations
One of the most common questions that I hear is, “What can the congregation, district and Synod do to recruit more church workers?” Recently, I had a layperson ask me the question, but the thrust was wondering what she could do personally. I had to pause for a second and...
Providing Leadership and Ministry Skills to College Students
Every fall, millions of high school graduates start their journey into higher education. They pile into their parents’ car with laundry baskets, a few suitcases and so many questions. Will I get along with my roommate? What if I never figure out what my major should be? Will I make...
First Importance
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” —1 Corinthians 15:3-4 It occurred to me recently that I had spent an hour...