One reason we struggle to imagine fallen pastors being restored to ministry is that so few “go away” long enough to establish credible qualifications. If it will ever happen — and that’s a big “if” — it must be after a very long obedience in the same direction — out of the spotlight and out of leadership.

Despite Martha’s admirable service for Jesus, Mary is commended for seizing the opportunity to sit at the Lord’s feet and hear the Word of God.

Are you slumped over into a critical position that always finds the wrong and warns to avoid? Or, even when you must point out error, do you do it so that you can help to construct something lasting and strong?

Let’s commit to not only preaching out of the heart of the gospel, but pastoring out of it as well. The former, we learn to do as we mine the Gospel for the benefits that it can give to our flock.

I was certain that any wisdom, gifts, or positives that I brought to the table were easily negated by my leadership weaknesses, lacking pastoral skills, and crippling fear of man. And I was right.

If an itinerant minister is willing to be under the authority of a local church, commit to heralding topical expositions, and making much of Jesus, he will be a blessing to Bible-loving local churches wherever he travels.

Several years ago a pastor friend from a nearby First Baptist Church invited me to share with his congregation some biblical teaching on plural elder leadership. As I waited for the service to begin that evening, a display in the church’s foyer caught my attention. It was the original minutes from the founding meeting of […]

There is no such thing as a pastor who knows only the burden of leadership or only the sweat of service.