Pastoral Lessons from John Bunyan and The Pilgrim’s Progress
Pastors are always on the lookout for the next book to help us be more effective and faithful in ministry. Some books help us shore up weaknesses, others teach us how to effectively carry out the everyday tasks of pastoral ministry, and then, there are those that inspire us to persevere through the challenges of shepherding God’s people.
The Temptation of Lesser Opportunities
For a brief time, I had the fanciful idea that a life in the political arena might somehow be in the cards of my future. In college, I worked for several politicians and led the college’s conservative political organization.While I enjoyed my work, it was certainly not the calling I know the Lord had placed in my heart as a teenager. One election cycle was enough for me. Political work is certainly important work and like so many other professions, we need believers in this profession to be light in the darkness.
Episode 42: Pastors and “the Interview”
In this week’s episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon are back to discuss pastors and interviews.What questions should aspiring pastors be prepared to answer while being interviewed by churches? What questions should pastor candidates be prepared to ask churches? Join us this week as we tackle these questions (and many more)!
A Plea to Exhausted Pastors and Their People
I have been back to the traveling aspect of my ministry since July. Since then, I have noticed a consistent reality among those who are leading our churches. It affects pastors regardless of ministry title: lead pastor, associate pastor, youth pastor, or children’s pastor.
Pastor, Pay Careful Attention to Yourself
Last week, my grandma died at the age of one hundred. During her final year, she could not care for herself in any meaningful way. Because she lived across the street from my dad, much of her personal care fell to him. It was a role he gladly accepted, but one that also took its toll on him. Much of his day revolved around when she needed medicine, food, and sleep.
Episode 38: Pastors and Rural Ministry (with Nathaniel Williams)
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon discuss pastoring in a rural context with Nathaniel Williams (Senior Pastor of Cedar Rock First Baptist Church).
5 Tips for Pastoral Care in an Intensive Care Unit
Death exists as an unnatural act for all human beings to endure. Perhaps the foreign nature of death in the created order causes many of us to either ignore its existence or become infatuated with its mystique. Death was not originally a part of God’s created fabric, but rather God created a world where death could come into existence depending upon humanity’s obedience (Genesis 2:15–17).
Episode 37: Pastors and Fatherhood (with Danny Akin)
In this episode, Ronjour and Brandon are joined by Dr. Daniel Akin (President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) to discuss pastors and fatherhood.How can pastors balance their pastoral responsibilities with their responsibilities at home? How does being a father shape the way you pastor? How can fathers raise their kids to think and live missionally? Join us this week as we tackle these questions (and many more)!
Facing Attacks and Criticism
How do we or should we face criticism and attack in our ministry?I just completed preaching through Nehemiah as part of an interim pastorate. We often recite the lessons of leadership learned from Nehemiah, and rightfully so, but something more specific struck me this time: how he reacted to criticism and attack. Nehemiah faced an extremely difficult context with enemies who did not want the people of God to focus upon the work of Yahweh.
Episode 36: Pastors and Prayer
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon discuss the prayer life of a pastor. Why is it so difficult to create consistent patterns of prayer? What does the Bible say about prayer? What role does prayer have in preaching and fulfilling the Great Commission? Join us this week as we answer these questions (and many more)!
Episode 35: Pastors and Suicide (Part 2)
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon continue their discussion on pastors and suicide. This week, the guys will be discussing how to shepherd those who have lost a loved one to suicide.How can pastors help those who have lost a loved one navigate the difficult questions associated with suicide? What are good resources for helping members process grief and loss? How can pastors shepherd their own souls in seasons of tremendous loss and grief? Join us this week as we answer these questions (and many more)!
Book Review: Answering God’s Call, by Scott Pace
The story is familiar. One chilly, autumn Lord’s Day morning, a young man—a high school senior—is converted as he listens to the pastor enthusiastically press home the words of Jesus: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).
Pastors, Preach the Gospel…to Yourself
Can I confess something? I used to hate going to pastor’s conferences.To be clear, this was never the fault of the conference. Most that I’ve attended have done an incredible job of trying to offer a place of rest and encouragement for those in ministry. It wasn’t an issue with the content, who was speaking, or the accommodations available.
Pastors’ Wives: The Church is Not Your Rival
Several years ago, I attended a retreat for pastors’ wives where we talked about a question commonly discussed in these types of circles: How do we balance family time and ministry? I think at the heart of this question, women are asking this: How do I guard time with my family well while also being supportive and involved in my husband’s calling as a pastor?
Book Review: Pastors and Their Critics, by Joel Beeke and Nick Thompson
Children at the playground chant a familiar children’s rhyme: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words shall never hurt me.” However, at some point, most parents understand they will have to console their children who have been on the receiving end of the words we taught them would never hurt.
Episode 32: Pastors, Preaching, and Easter (with Scott Pace)
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour sits down with Dr. Scott Pace (Dean of the College at Southeastern) to discuss preaching and pastoring on Easter Sunday.
We Need Holy Youth Pastors
What my students need most from me is my personal holiness.There has been no shortage of discussion surrounding the reasons why there is an exodus of 18-year-olds that walk away from Christ and his church after graduation. Plenty of contributing reasons exists, such as: they weren’t integrated into the life of the church, they did not see Christian faith modeled at home, or their youth ministry was centered around entertainment.
Feeding Your Sheep with the Whole Counsel of God
I’ve been around long enough to know that last days will come. I still remember my wife and I walking out of the first home we’d known for over six years. We brought our first two children into that space. Other last days have come and gone since then. From the last day of a military deployment to the last keystroke of a Ph.D. program, all of us will face last days. We appeal to a sovereign God but do well to know that last days are coming.
Episode 31: Pastors and Reading Good Books
Books, books, and more books! In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon discuss pastors and the importance of reading good books.What books should every pastor read at some point in their ministry? Should pastors read books outside of the pastoral ministry/preaching genres? Should pastors read books written by authors they disagree with? Join us this week as we answer
Episode 30: Pastors and the Importance of Friendship
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon discuss the importance of friendship in the life of a pastor. Why is friendship so important? What are some examples of friendship in Scripture? How can pastors prevent competitiveness and envy from seeping into their friendship? Join us this week as we discuss these questions and many more!
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