Leading Church Revitalization

In the midst of the deep discouragements that can come our way in ministry, there is one thing that will keep us encouraged and focused on Christ: The Gospel. The Gospel protects us from flimsy self-dependence and the idol of oth- ers’ approval. It keeps us rooted in God Himself so that we will not run after things that we think will satisfy us or give us value. The gospel is what sustains us through good times and through bad times, through mountaintops and through valleys. Nothing else can satisfy us in ministry—not a bigger church, not writing a book, not launching more community groups, nor whatever else we think will give us the satisfaction, joy, and peace we long for. Only the gospel will satisfy.

If you don't control and manage your schedule in ministry, everyone else will. So, how are you doing managing your schedule? This is a struggle for many pastors. In this episode, we want to help you think through how to strategically make the most of their time each day in order to be the most fruitful pastor you can be. We will consider several key strategies to help you grow in this area.

“How well do you manage your schedule?” This is a question I often ask pastors and church leaders, especially those who are feeling discouraged or burned out. It’s amazing how interconnected the management of our schedules are with the joy and peace we experience day to day in ministry. In this episode, our focus will be considering what it looks like to build a healthy schedule, for the good of your soul, the good of your family, and the good of your ministry.

What does it look like to handle conflict in a God-honoring way? Whether criticized or caught up in a conflict, we are sinful people rubbing shoulders with other sinners. Fortunately, we follow a Savior who dealt with the same struggles and can sympathize. In every circumstance, the principles are the same. Christ shows the way forward. Here are eleven principles and tips for handling conflict biblically. 

While conflict is inevitable in our ministries, the question for us is, how will we lead through the conflict that comes? Let's consider for a few minutes how you deal with conflict as a leader. What is your conflict style, your personal disposition, and your approach toward disputes both big and small? What is your default?

Being criticized is never fun. It never feels good. In this episode, Part 2 of a series dealing with criticism in ministry, we will consider a number of unhealthy, as well as, healthy ways to respond to criticism when it comes our way in the church. May each of us look at our own hearts and humbly ask the Lord to help us become pastors and leaders who deal with criticism in God-honoring manner.

I’ve never met a pastor who really loves to be criticized. And yet it’s a painful reality that we all experience. For this reason, every pastor must consider how we will respond to personal criticism in our ministries. In this episode, part one of a two part series, we will consider five reasons why, though never enjoyable, we shouldn't be shocked when criticism comes our way.

As pastors and leaders, raising our kids in the church should not be a threat to their wellbeing but a huge opportunity to help them grow in their love for God and their love for the body of Christ. But how does that happen? While there is not one magic bullet, let's consider several keys to loving and leading our kids well in the church.

Our #1 ministry in church revitalization is to our wives. God’s design for husbands is to sacrificially bleed and courageously lead their wives toward increased holiness and joy in Christ. That takes sacrifice, that takes intentionality, that takes courage, that takes boldness that only comes from the Holy Spirit. Let's talk about how to love and lead our wives well.

Once we have prayerfully considered what it would look like to be faithfully committed to a local church, and are convinced we should do this, the next step is to consider how we do it. What are some of those pieces that will help us not only to sustain the long haul, but to enjoy it, and to love it—not just for ourselves but for the church and for our families? Here are eight strategies for cultivating a heart for long-haul ministry.