Dictators make poor role models for Christian leadership. Oh, they get things done. Their orders get followed– or else. But they are not the example for what God wants for pastors, teachers, parents or any others who aspire to lead like Jesus.
The cautionary story of Rehoboam in I Kings 12 serves as a reminder that dictatorship is a poor replacement for true servant leadership. Remember the advice given him by his wisest, most experienced counselors? “If you will Continue reading
Posted in leadership, servant leadership, Christian leadership, Uncategorized
Tagged Christian, Christianity, church, faith, God, leadership, servant leadership
Preaching is, for me, like swimming in the ocean. It is an awesome experience if you don’t die!
Nothing is more exciting and nothing is more intimidating. Preaching both charges me up and wears me down. It invigorates and it frustrates. It brings me the agony of labor and the joy of birth. It keeps me up at night and gets me up in the morning. Preaching is big and I know it.
If you are involved in preaching you know something of the dilemma we face. We are tasked with bringing God’s word to man. We are to speak sacred things to sinful listeners. This great responsibility can be a bit overwhelming. But here is what makes it even bigger. We need to preach for transformation.
Nothing is worse than boring people with the greatest news known to mankind. How terrible to think that I can make the gospel sound like average news rather than good news. How Continue reading
Posted in preaching, Uncategorized
Tagged Baptist, Christian, Christianity, church, Evangelism, faith, God, Jesus, leadership, pastor, preaching, Religion and Spirituality
I began reading through the bible at least once every year for more than 25 years now and it has been a great blessing to my life and ministry. Let me suggest 5 reasons why all pastors and bible teachers would benefit from this spiritual discipline.
1. It helps us see the whole story. How does the OT and NT fit together? After 7 or 8 times through the bible you will begin to see that better. I visited my grandmother while in seminary. She was a Sunday School teacher and so she peppered me with questions wanting to better teach her class. I knew some things she didn’t know- Greek and Hebrew and such. But I quickly realized that she knew the bible in a way I didn’t yet because she read it so much. I determined to know the bible like that.
2. It gives us a sense of context. Taking the bible Continue reading
Posted in bible, Uncategorized
Tagged bible, bible study, Christian, Christianity, deeper faith, devotional, faith, God, Jesus, scripture, spiritual growth
I recently gave our church ministry staff an assignment. Share the gospel with at least one person during the next week and report back. Here are some lessons we learned together.
1. We can easily be around only other believers. We work with other believers (at least we think the rest of our ministry team is saved!), serve in ministry with other believers and Continue reading
Posted in evangelism, Uncategorized
Tagged Christian, Christianity, Evangelism, faith, God, Jesus, Religion and Spirituality
Humility is a confusing concept in our self-esteem generation. Perhaps thinking about what it isn’t can help us to consider what it is.
1. It isn’t winning an honor. Probably the most common usage Continue reading
Posted in Christianity, humility, Uncategorized
Tagged Christian, Christianity, faith, God, humble, humility, Jesus, Religion and Spirituality
Encouragement is one of the most beautiful gifts we can receive. A kind word, a helping hand, a warm smile, an appreciative hug– these things are the currency of encouragement. And this currency is never devalued.
I officiated the funeral of a great encourager recently. In more than twenty years of being his pastor he encouraged me countless times without a single hint of discouragement. Amazing.
I cannot tell you how grateful I am for that wonderful gift. In a day when snark Continue reading
Posted in blessings, encouragement, faith, joy, Uncategorized
Tagged Christian, Christianity, encouragement, faith, God, Jesus, local church, relationship with god, Religion and Spirituality
I’ve given birth to a new book. (Well, it was a different kind of labor than you mothers have.) It is called “30 Days to Acts: A Devotional Commentary”. You can get this devotional book at Amazon. (Just click on the picture.) Merry Christmas!
Posted in books, Christianity, Uncategorized
Tagged bible study, book, Christian, Christianity, devotional, devotional book, faith, God, Jesus, new book, relationship with god, Religion and Spirituality
Recently, a man with a terminal disease came to speak with me about his funeral. That is a sobering conversation to have. While we don’t know how long he has left in this life (does anyone really?) it reminded me of some important things.
– We are all dying. This is the land of the dying. I look forward to going to the land of the living one day. But this is not that place.
-Life is fleeting. Time goes forward, never backwards. Young men become old men quickly. We never get to relive it.
-Big things need to be big. At the end of life we tend to think of family and love and joy and faith. Smaller things don’t seem that important from that perspective.
-Faith matters. This man gave his life to Christ just a Continue reading
Posted in blessings, Christianity, encouragement, faith, perseverance, Uncategorized, words of wisdom
Tagged Blessing, Christian, Christianity, death, deeper faith, Evangelism, faith, God, heaven, hope, life, Religion and Spirituality
I’ve read a couple of books recently that taught me more about the life of J.P. Morgan, the famous banker. I didn’t know much about his life and work but he was among the most powerful men in the world for a time. He had great wealth, incredible influence and a massive art collection.
There was one thing that really surprised me about the man. He was Continue reading
Posted in bible, Christianity, Church, theology, Uncategorized
Tagged bible, book, Christian, Christianity, church, denomination, faith, God, Jesus, relationship with god, Religion and Spirituality, theology
While in another country, I saw ads painted on the sides of homes and buildings. It was a way for the home or business owner to make some extra income. So, I started thinking about churches. They have big walls and could use extra income. What if they used those walls for advertising? The ideas are endless- and bad ideas abundant. Here are some of those bad ideas for church wall advertising.
– Rogaine. It works for Pastor Bob.
– Dr. Pepper. The preferred soft drink for non-heretics.
– Youth Pastor Jimmy recommends Continue reading
Posted in Christian humor, faith, humor, outreach
Tagged Christian, Christian humor, Christianity, church, faith, God, humor, local church, pastor, pastors, Religion and Spirituality
I can easily remember the life-changing phone call that would cause me to look at life very differently. I was young, naive, and had just turned 23 when I heard the voice on the other end of the phone say, “Are you ready to have this baby?!” Without a doubt I was unprepared, unqualified, and […]
Doug Munton 