
Relationships pastors should prioritize
Early in my first pastorate, I was advised to avoid favoritism by treating all my church members exactly the same. It took me several years to root this ministry myth out of my system.
Early in my first pastorate, I was advised to avoid favoritism by treating all my church members exactly the same. It took me several years to root this ministry myth out of my system.
Adobe Stock Photo. Do not publish.
What is an emotional affair and why must pastors, elders and ministry leaders fight against succumbing to this temptation? According to one online source, “An emotional affair is a non-sexual relationship involving a similar level of emotional intimacy and bonding as a romantic relationship.” The writer adds that emotional affairs often begin as a friendship and then move to something more involved.
Adobe Stock Photo. Do not publish.
For many years now, I’ve asked students about their quiet time with the Lord. Frankly, many struggle with consistency, especially with prayer. Anecdotally, though, here’s what I’ve learned: the students who struggle least tend to have had parents who modeled quiet times for them. Sometimes they did that intentionally, but at other times it just happened. Their parents did their quiet time in a more public place, and their kids took note.
Adobe Stock Photo. Do not publish.
Church growth experts today will have thousands of new ideas on how to grow a church and keep people engaged. Some of those ideas may be useful. But not if they come at the expense of this one central call of the minister: preach Christ. Charles Spurgeon’s fruitful ministry stands as a stirring commendation to the power of faithful gospel preaching. That’s not to say we can ever presume a particular kind of result. Spurgeon’s story was a surprising and unique work of God in a particular historical context.
Today marks the 18th anniversary of the passing of my pastor, Dr. Adrian Rogers. As a seminary student at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and church member at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., under Dr. Adrian Rogers, I had the privilege of being in the presence of a remarkable man of faith and wisdom, one of the 20th Century's great leaders and preachers. His life was a shining example of what it means to be a dedicated servant of God. In my time with and around him, I learned invaluable lessons that continue to shape my Christian life and ministry.
This month, many churches will take time to show their appreciation to their pastor for his love and ministry over the past year. Some churches will take up a love offering for their pastor. Many will put a basket in the vestibule for members to place cards with kind sentiments they want to share with their pastor. A few churches may even have a dinner or a reception — a nice time to get together to express their feelings for their pastor.
Pastor and columnist Brad Whitt shares five tips for anyone who is new to an area and looking for a church home.
Columnist and parent Brad Whitt says he, like other parents, often is tempted to give his young children a toy instead of his time. Yet time is the most meaningful -- and the most expensive.
With October being pastor appreciation month, columnist and pastor Brad Whitt list his top 10 gifts churches members can give their pastor -- with prayer at No. 1.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This commentary first was published on April 4 at the blog of Brad Whitt, pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Simpsonville, S.C., and immediate past president of the South Carolina Pastors’ Conference. SIMPSONVILLE, S.C. (BP)–When “Young, Southern Baptist … And Irrelevant?” was first published in the Baptist Courier [South Carolina state paper] in […]