My dad was a graduate of the University of Mississippi, known around our house as “Ole Miss.” I grew up a big fan of Ole Miss football. I knew the players’ names. I remember the Ole Miss greats of the late 1940s and ‘50s who made their way to the NFL. “Chunkin” Charlie Connerly was a standout QB for Ole Miss and for the New York Giants. Jake Gibbs was an all-star athlete in multiple sports. As the QB of Ole Miss in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, he was the leader of a team that played for and won national championships. Continue reading “The Glory Is Gone…I’m Not Sure It Will Return”
The Seven Deadly Sins of a Pastor (Part 2)
4. TREATING STAFF LIKE SECOND RATE CITIZENS
Maybe you’ve only served as a pastor, and you’ve never served on a staff under someone else’s authority. If so, this is a real and subtle temptation, especially for those who are called to serve in multi-staff situations. Satan and our flesh can suggest to us that the attention, applause, admiration, and appreciation must only be directed at the pastor. Continue reading “The Seven Deadly Sins of a Pastor (Part 2)”
The Seven Deadly Sins of a Pastor (Part 1)
For fifteen years I served in a church staff position. I was surprised when God called me to the pastorate. Early in my ministry I had no desire to be the Senior Pastor…but God changed my heart and the direction of my ministry. I count myself a blessed man for having served as both a staff member and a pastor. Both churches I’ve pastored have been multiple staff situations. The church I presently serve has a ministerial staff of seventeen plus support staff, school staff, and others. Continue reading “The Seven Deadly Sins of a Pastor (Part 1)”
A Room with No View
I’m writing this sitting in the hospital. We are an hour and a half from home. It’s quiet. But it’s not peaceful. Terri had full knee replacement surgery on Tuesday, and we’ve been here ever since. The pain is intense. The therapy is intense and painful, but it has to be done. The last thing you want after a joint replacement is for the joint to freeze and lock up. Continue reading “A Room with No View”
Pastor Appreciation
Let me begin by saying that I pastor the greatest church on the planet. It’s not a perfect church, no way. It’s not a great church because we make movies—that has nothing to do with it. It’s a great church made up of some great people who have learned to pray, seek the Lord for revival, preserve the unity of the saints, and follow hard after God. I’m sure we have a few knuckleheads, but they usually don’t raise their heads around me. Continue reading “Pastor Appreciation”