Pastoring a church is hard work. It is not hard work like digging ditches, mining coal or cutting tobacco, but there is a toil and strain element to pastoring a church that is not found in those other occupations. The hard work of pastoring includes rigorous thinking as pastors study to exegete a biblical textContinue reading “Laziness is Unacceptable”
Category Archives: Leadership
Let’s Talk About a Raise
I had only been their pastor for a few weeks when I asked for a raise in my weekly pay — but I had a plan. The people were gracious and doing the best they could. The church had been through a split and attendance was down to 20 or 30 worshippers on SundayContinue reading “Let’s Talk About a Raise”
Do You Really Love Us?
John Maxwell has often said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” While the origin of that quote is uncertain, its impact is not lost on leaders. Some of the members of one church I served questioned whether I really loved them. Of course I did. I don’tContinue reading “Do You Really Love Us?”
Why Do We Give Through the Cooperative Program?
At a recent lunch meeting with one of our outstanding young Kentucky Baptist pastors, our discussion turned to the Cooperative Program and the sacrificial generosity of the church he serves. It was a great opportunity to thank him for his leadership and to thank the church for its financial investment to advance the gospel. IContinue reading “Why Do We Give Through the Cooperative Program?”
This Is Why We Cooperate
When I saw the social media post from Dr. Paul Chitwood, president of our SBC International Mission Board, reporting that there are 1,268 candidates in the IMB’s missionary sending pipeline, my immediate response was, “This is why we cooperate!” I could give that same response daily while witnessing Kentucky Baptists working together to advance theContinue reading “This Is Why We Cooperate”
Workaholism Not Acceptable
At a funeral several years ago, I heard a pastor describe himself as a workaholic. But he quickly followed it up by saying that there are worse things one could be. It is true — there are worse things than workaholism, but that doesn’t take away from the problems with being addicted to work. WorkaholicsContinue reading “Workaholism Not Acceptable”
When a Brother Falls
The Apostle Paul, or more precisely the Holy Spirit inspiring him, saw this coming. God knows who we are and what we are each capable of. God instructs us through Paul in Galatians 6:1 which says, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.Continue reading “When a Brother Falls”
A Providential Misspelling
I don’t catch every misspelled word and an important one got past me recently. While skimming through a meeting I noticed the spelling of cooperation as “co-operation.” The dash in the word highlighted the “operation” part of cooperation. Operation, as defined by Cambridge dictionary, is “an activity planned to achieve something.” When you add theContinue reading “A Providential Misspelling”
Caring to Confront
In the southern-influenced culture where I grew up, one would occasionally hear a response “I wouldn’t care for any” to an offer of pie, coffee or a second helping of beans. When they said they wouldn’t care for any, they were saying “no thank you” to the offer. When it comes to confronting aContinue reading “Caring to Confront”
Not Set Back by an Attack
Every seasoned pastor or ministry leader has been, or will be, attacked at some point in their ministry. I’m not talking about the run-of-the-mill criticism that we all receive — and oftentimes deserve. I’m talking about a full-frontal attack including name-calling, verbal threats, yelling and the like. Why do people attack leaders? None of theseContinue reading “Not Set Back by an Attack”
Dr. Todd Gray 