Pastor
We’re Fighting – It Must Be Holy Week
She found the note on the counter Wednesday morning — a sticky note from her husband that simply said, “Miss you.” By then, he had already left for church. She didn’t even hear him leave. She stood there for a moment, note in hand, realizing there were things she had meant to ask him, things…
Read MoreGive the Work Time to Mature
I’ve served as Senior Pastor at Candia Congregational Church since July 2017. Founded over 250 years ago, the church had spent the past four decades with renewed focus on loving God and people as Jesus commanded. When I arrived, the church had several thriving ministries, but as the big events grew, we started asking: “Are…
Read MoreUntil …
Are you in a season of ministry that seems to be going backwards? People seem excited about everything but spiritual things. Complaints and conflicts have become the norm. The vision that seems so clear feels like it’s withering in a wilderness of indifference. I have been there, and I suspect many of you reading this…
Read MoreFrom Isolation to Impact: How Pastor Cohorts Change Ministry
The text arrived at 2:00 am: “Thinking about quitting. Can’t do this anymore.” Sound familiar? If you are a pastor in New England, you’ve either sent that message, received it, or thought about sending it. Picture this: You have just preached your heart out to forty-seven people scattered across a sanctuary built for two hundred.…
Read MoreStrategies for Pastors to Stay Emotionally Connected to Their Ministry Team
Being a pastor comes with unique responsibilities and challenges, not least of which is the isolation that can come with leadership. Despite this, it is crucial for pastors to remain emotionally connected to their staff, leaders, and volunteers, as these connections form the bedrock of a supportive and effective ministry team. Here are some strategies…
Read MoreWhy Is God OK With This?
Ever watch a child look around and see no one paying attention, then walk up and smack their sibling? I often wonder why did the child think “this is a good idea?” It usually plays out the same way. They hurt someone and get in trouble. Yet, they rinse and repeat. Our hearts often devise…
Read MorePreventing Ministry Team Burnout
by Steve Treash, Overseed Field Director The concept of “burnout” originated in the 1970’s with a psychologist named Herbert Freudenberger who used the term to describe what he saw among the volunteer staff of a medical clinic in New York City. The volunteers were young, enthusiastic and on a mission to serve the City’s poor…
Read MoreProtect Your Family’s Privacy
By Deryk Richenburg We’ve all been there. You are welcomed to a new church, and someone comes up and asks you, “Can you and your family come up front so we can congratulate you?” Or later on, “Can you and your family come up so we can thank you?” Or the myriads of other times…
Read MoreChurch Organizational Structure: Help or Hindrance? (Part 1 in series)
A few years ago, a friend who is a denominational executive sent me a copy of the proposed organizational structure drafted by one of his member churches. He wanted my opinion. After reading the complicated, convoluted, and overly detailed document, I emailed my friend with my conclusion that this was the church structure from Hades.…
Read MoreProtect Your Family Time During the Busy Christmas Season in Ministry
Our 35 years in pastoral ministry (all at one church, in a suburb north of Boston) spanned all our child-rearing and launching years, from the first newborn to the last wedding. Looking back, we are not plagued by regrets that we shortchanged our kids in order to serve our congregation. However, to fact-check that impression,…
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