The Most Important Decision I’ve Ever Made as a Pastor

The Most Important Decision I’ve Ever Made as a Pastor

The church I’m serving as pastor just bought a new property for $1.1 million in the heart of Northwest Arkansas. We spent a lot of time praying over that decision and it felt like a huge step. But it wasn’t the most important decision I’ve ever had...
Boring Preaching Is A Crime! 7 Ways to Be Interesting

Boring Preaching Is A Crime! 7 Ways to Be Interesting

No, this is not a post about the loss of our religious freedom – it’s a reflection on a quote I’ve looked at many times since I first wrote it down about nine years ago at a conference on preaching… If you think the gathering of biblical facts...
3 Things You’ll Never Control as a Preacher

3 Things You’ll Never Control as a Preacher

I used to design websites for churches as kind of a hobby and side gig. I had to retire, but when I was active in the craft, I can well remember my biggest motivation. I would preach on Sunday to people who would listen and affirm my words with their thanks. But I...
I'm Called and I Know My Purpose… Now What?

I'm Called and I Know My Purpose… Now What?

I have a relationship with Jesus Christ. I’m saved and secure. I’m on my way to heaven someday. But I still live here and I know that my purpose is to glorify Jesus Christ in all of the life that I have left. But how? A common plight Christians suffer is...
8 Vital Instructions for Every Pastor and Church Leader

8 Vital Instructions for Every Pastor and Church Leader

If you’re a pastor or ministry leader, you can’t help but be drawn to the first and second letters of the Apostle Paul to his young apprentice, Timothy. Every time I read through them, my heart burns within me and I’m taken back to those moments when...
3 Components That Come Together in an Effective Sermon

3 Components That Come Together in an Effective Sermon

There are certain elements that must be included in every single sermon you ever preach. They are non-negotiable. To put it another way, every sermon you preach has three key components. Understanding them and helping them to play well together is half the battle of...
5 Reasons to Make Easter Sunday a Really Big Deal

5 Reasons to Make Easter Sunday a Really Big Deal

Jesus rose from the dead. Nobody else has ever done that. At least, not without Jesus’ help. And Jesus’ resurrection has changed the world. It has changed history. It has changed me, and millions of others. It’s a big deal. If you’re a pastor...
9 Awesome New Downloadable Resources from MinistryPass

9 Awesome New Downloadable Resources from MinistryPass

This stand-alone one-week message examines the character of Judas, the biggest mistake he made, and the way Jesus chose to respond to Judas’ betrayal. Download It Now This stand-alone Easter sermon uses a non-traditional text to discuss the power of Jesus’...
Why You Should Preach to Motivate People to Change

Why You Should Preach to Motivate People to Change

If you’re a pastor, you’re a motivator. In fact, motivational preaching is one of the most powerful and persuasive tools for change our culture knows. W. A. Criswell, one of my own preaching heroes, defined preaching as “seeking to move a man’s...