By Thom Rainer I receive volumes of blog comments, emails, and social media communications every day. On occasion, one of those comments will stop me in my tracks, like this recent blog post comment. I am providing it to you almost completely unedited. I made a few edits to protect the identity of the writer. I respectfully request you not to lecture this lady, but to offer prayer and encouragement. The headings are mine, but the words are hers. The…
By Mark Dance Have you noticed that some people have a hard time hearing “no”— particularly those in our family and ministry? Others have a hard time saying “no”— particularly those who are called to love and lead churches. The moment Janet became my wife, all of my friends, family, and church members got an immediate demotion. When I said “I do” on our wedding day, I simultaneously said “no” to over seven billion other people. The purpose of this post is to help you…
By Barnabas Piper Doubt is common to all Christians. We struggle for a million reasons ranging from difficult intellectual questions to times of extreme suffering to feeling like God is absent. And sometimes the people you think are the least likely to struggle with doubts actually struggle the most. My father was a pastor of the same church, Bethlehem Baptist in Minneapolis, from three years before I was born until he retired on my 30th birthday. The church grew steadily…
By Bob Hostelter It’s one of the most frequent questions I field, and it’s always asked so sincerely, even desperately: “How do you balance ministry and family?” My answer: I don’t. In fact, I think the very question reveals the problem. There IS no balance. It is NOT an either/or issue. There’s nothing to balance. And thinking that there is is a problem in and of itself. I say to young men and women considering or embarking upon ministry, “Your family…
Working with pastors’ kids has been an enlightening experience. I grew up a PK and am still one to this day. When I entered into this ministry position at Care for Pastors, I thought I could relate to all (if not most) PK’s. I have since learned that I relate in many ways, but also can’t comprehend what some may feel and experience. One thing is certain: I learn from every PK I speak to. Each has a voice and…
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