Introduction: This story generates out of a real-life experience from my studies in the Ph.D. program at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. It was a lesson that I will never forget and has shaped me as both a pastor and a scholar. This experience illustrates the value of theological education. To put it another way, seminary … Continue reading One Invaluable Lesson I Learned at Seminary
Your First Step in Sermon Prep
One of my favorite questions to ask pastors when I sit with them is, "What does your sermon preparation process look like?" By God's grace, he has wired every single one of us differently; therefore, everyone's process is unique to them. Some pastors prepare later in the week while others prepare all week long. A … Continue reading Your First Step in Sermon Prep
Young Pastor, Practice the Spirit’s Fruit of Patience
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.Galatians 5:22-23 Before coming on staff at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, I served as a Lead Pastor at a normative size church in South Carolina. Words cannot express all the lessons that I learned in this pastorate, but … Continue reading Young Pastor, Practice the Spirit’s Fruit of Patience
So, You Had a Bad Preaching Day? Here Are 4 Ways to Bounce Back
It never fails. Some Sundays you walk down from the pulpit thinking the Holy Spirit's power was with you in that sermon. You captured the audience's attention. Your exegesis of the Scripture seemed faithful to the text. Your illustrations connected the biblical text with the lives of your listeners. You walked away with confidence knowing … Continue reading So, You Had a Bad Preaching Day? Here Are 4 Ways to Bounce Back
No Answer; No Position
What is God teaching you? As a leader within Christ's church, I have one simple rule for anyone who serves alongside me. If you don't have an answer when I ask you, "What is God teaching you?" you will be immediately let go. It sounds harsh, right? What if they are a great asset to … Continue reading No Answer; No Position
The Importance of Team Values
I am going to date myself in this post. Do you remember The Flintstones? Fred, Barney, Betty, and "W-i-l-m-a?" The Flintstones was one of my favorites growing up as a child. I really loved the cars they drove. The cars were propelled by their feet. Everyone in the stone-age car had to move their feet … Continue reading The Importance of Team Values
The 4 Cs to Corporate Church Conflict
Ministry is a lot like riding a roller coaster (if you like roller coasters). Ministry has moments where God is moving in the church and you feel like you are climbing sky high. You feel like you are about to touch down on cloud nine. However, sometimes things begin to fall apart and you feel … Continue reading The 4 Cs to Corporate Church Conflict
Be Imitators 