According to the late Stephen Olford, “Only one thing will ever take the place of great preaching – and that’s greater preaching!” The concept of what constitutes “greatness” is a reflection of priorities. In this regard, the earliest preachers saw the greatness of preaching as an outgrowth of their commitment to prayer (Acts 6:4). Eventually, in the process of preaching, the two apostolic ministries uniquely conjoin when we preach on prayer.
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The holiday season is demanding. Pastors and church leaders must move from one event to the next in rapid-fire succession. The whirlwind lasts from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day. Most pastors get a small break between Christmas and the New Year, and then it’s time to launch again. Ministry is a grind. The deadlines never end, […]
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I feel like such a failure. Growing up, I became accustomed to objective standards of success defining whether or not I had succeeded. An A+ signifies a job well done. A winning record in my collegiate sport proves my hard work. Even in marriage, a “Great job!” from my husband means I am accomplishing my goal of loving him well. Until recently, I didn’t realize how much I had begun to rely on these exterior praises to determine whether I had accomplished a job well done.
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Pastors often face difficult situations. How they lead is important. There are four principles pastors should keep in mind to lead with care and integrity.
As churches regather and get back to a sense of normalcy, people are looking for connection. And they need the gospel. A culture of invitation can certainly bridge both gaps. Who will you invite to your Bible study group?
Leading a virtual group has unique challenges. The 2020 pandemic proved that groups can survive and, in many ways, thrive in an online environment. Reports from around the country demonstrated that a high percentage of groups reached new people through online meeting tools. To prepare and lead engaging virtual studies, do not forget some cardinal rules:
Ken Braddy, director of Sunday School for LifeWay Christian Resources, helps church leaders think through what on-site worship will look like in a post-COVID-19 world.
