In Season and Out of Season

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Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t believe the pastors who always say everything is great. You’ve seen their tweets, read their blogs, or watched their youtube videos. These are the guys who are always promoting THE MOST INCREDIBLE SUNDAY MORNING EXPERIENCE EVER. IN THE HISTORY OF CREATION. LITERALLY. Do you know the guys I’m talking about? How can next Sunday’s message always be the best ever. How is it possible that this Sunday’s attendance is always double the attendance of the week before…even in the Summer, on Labor Day Weekend, and the week after Christmas?

I came to a conclusion. It has to be one of two things. Either I’m the worst pastor ever (which I understand is totally possible), or these guys aren’t being completely honest. Because I don’t know how every Sunday can always be the best Sunday since Adam and Eve were created. Here’s how I know I’m right. Paul gives some advice to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2. He says, “be instant in season, out of season.”

This teaches me a couple of things. First of all, there are “seasons” in ministry. You may have a Sunday that you think is the BEST EVER IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD. And then you may have a Sunday where you think it couldn’t get any worse. Don’t freak out. There are seasons to this thing.

It also teaches me that through the ups and downs of ministry, we need to be consistent. That’s what the word “instant” means here – to be ready, prepared, and consistent no matter what. So, here are two thoughts for the “ins and outs” or “ups and downs” of ministry.  Continue reading →

How to Make the Most of Monday

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Oh yes. It’s Monday again. I know what that means. You are so excited! What? Not excited? Monday’s not your favorite day of the week? I’m shocked! Seriously, if we were to take an “unscientific poll” here I don’t know if anyone would select Monday as their favorite day of the week.

As a pastor, Mondays can be pretty tough. Here’s what I said on twitter a couple of weeks ago.

Today, for most pastors, is known as “Mack-Truck-Monday.” No matter how great Sunday was, you feel like you’ve been hit by an 18-wheeler!

Some pastors call it the “Holy Hangover,” I kind of like “Mack-Truck Monday.” Whatever you call it, I want to encourage you to make the most of Monday. Here’s how. Continue reading →

Don’t Freak Out, It’s Labor Day Weekend

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Dear pastor friend. This is a simple, friendly reminder that it’s Labor Day Weekend. Now, I don’t want to make any assumtpoins. Maybe yesterday at your church you had a record attendance. If so, praise the Lord – you should write a book or something. But maybe, just maybe, you had a bit lower attendance than normal (by “a bit” I mean “a ton”). If that’s you, I’m here with good news. Don’t freak out, it’s Labor Day Weekend.

Now, I realize I’m not bringing you a profound truth here. You already know it’s Labor Day Weekend. But if you’re like me, sometimes even though you know attendance might be down a bit, it still bothers you. So, I just want to encourage to let go of the fear of the demonic “holiday weekend.” Here are two things to remember. Continue reading →

Stop Whining About Being a Pastor

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Dear pastor friend. I love you. I mean it. I really do. But would you please stop whining about being a pastor? I don’t want to sound rude. Nor do I intend to minimize the stress you’re under. I’m with you. I’m for you. I’m one of you. But please stop whining about being a pastor.

I love pastors. And that’s the main reason I’m writing this post. The dirty little secret is – far too often when pastors get together at conferences or conventions all they do is whine and complain. Here are four encouragements to the pastor who may find himself whining.  Continue reading →

A Leader Should Have a Window and a Mirror

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I recently read Jim Collins’ fantastic little book, How the Mighty Fall. I would highly recommend the book for pastors, leaders, business people, or anyone who wants to learn and grow. Here’s an interesting thought from page 160. The right people display “window and mirror maturity.”

What does he mean? Here are his own words.

When things go well, the right people point out the window, giving credit to factors other than themselves; they shine a light on other people who contributed to success and take little credit themselves. Yet when things go awry, they do not blame circumstances or other people for setbacks and failures; they point in the mirror and say, “I’m responsible.”

This reinforces something that’s been swirling around in my mind for some time. Far too often I have seen pastors or leaders who use the window and the mirror in the wrong way. When things go well, they point to the mirror. When things go poorly, they point out the window.

While Collins’ book is not considered a Christian work, I think he has landed on two very important scriptural principles.  Continue reading →