Wisdom for Pastors, Part 4

It’s been a while since I shared some of the wisdom on pastoring that I’ve come across over the last month or two. I thought it was time to pass some along. There are some helpful folks out there who have added value to me and to my ministry. A few of them can be found in the links below. I’m grateful for them.

Enjoy,
Dale

• America’s Largest and Fastest-Growing Churches at Outreach Magazine - I’m always fascinated by lists like this. I wonder if some of these churches (not all of them) are anything more than a Sunday morning inspirational message and entertaining music. I wonder if they administer the sacraments, exercise church discipline, etc. I wonder what “counts” as membership in these congregations. I’m sure there’s not one answer to those questions. Just wondering.
• Are You a Preacher or a Motivational Speaker by Sherman Cox (at Sermon Central.com) Also, check out Cox’s website, SoulPreaching.
• Five Things We Do Instead of Preach the Word by James MacDonald (at Sermon Central.com)
• Nine Ways to Stay Motivated for Ministry by Rick Warren (at Pastors.com)
• What Are Guidelines for Setting a Pastor’s Salary? by Tom Nelson (at Gospel Coalition)
• 10 Tips for Better Preaching, Part 1 and Part 2 by Jim Martin at Sermon Central.com) Check out Martin’s website, GodHungry.
• Why Expository Preaching

• The Pastor and His Staff, Part 2 at 9Marks. Also at 9Marks, check out this audio interview on the mission of the church.

 

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Wisdom for Pastors

I love being a pastor. It is truly one of the motivating factors for getting me up in the morning. I thank God daily for calling me to, gifting me for, and giving me a passion for ministering to others.

Today I was struck with how much more I have to learn and grow as a pastor. I still goof from time to time, but God, (and my congregation) continue to exercise vast amounts of patience with me. (I have also been given a wonderful and truth-speaking wife who is a means of grace and helps me see the “error of my ways” in ministry.)

There’s no teacher of wisdom for any sphere of life like experience that has been studied and meditated upon, but here are some links that will take you to some pretty helpful articles, websites, authors, etc., who will also pass on some wise tidbits.

Blessings,
Dale

1.) The 25 Most Influential Preaching Books of the Last 25 Years by Michael Duduit at Preaching magazine (Do you have any recommendations that are not on this list?)

2.) The July/August Issue of 9Marks eJournal – The Pastor and His Staff, Part 1

3.) Great help for lectionary preachers - link from post by John Meunier’s blog.

4.) The most recent devotional messages from T.M. Moore’s Pastor to Pastor column at The Worldview Church. Great stuff here to get you thinking and assessing how you’re doing as a pastor.

5.) 10 Ministry Principles I Wish I Knew When I Started by Brady Boyd at SermonCentral.com

6.) The June Issue of Preaching Magazine

7.) 18 Things Pastors Need to Know About How Wealthy People Think by Brian Dodd

8.) Why Your Members Must Learn Doctrine by Tom Holladay at Pastors.com

9.) How to Plan a Preaching Calendar by Josh Reich at SermonCentral.com

10.) Are Pastors Overpaid? by Brian Dodd – You don’t think I would include this one if I didn’t like his answer to the question, do you?

 

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Wisdom for Pastors

Here are some links that came my way via my inbox that I think those serving as pastors in the local church will find helpful.

Enjoy,
Dale

• Five Personal Changes to Empower Your Preaching by Rick Ezell at Sermon Central.com
• Here’s a training bonanza for pastors: Audio for the 2011 Gospel Coalition Workshops. Wide and incredibly diverse (and always faithful) topics, workshops, etc. All on audio to download and listen to at your convenience!!!
• Four Monday Morning Questions for Every Pastor by Ken Gosnell at Lifeway’s pastor’s page.
• 9Marks eJournal for May June. This issue is entitled, Church Membership: Holding the Body Together. A Must Read (at 9Marks)
• A Preacher and His Notes by Darrin Patrick at Sermon Central.com
• Five Reminders When Preaching A Topical Sermon by Justin Holcomb at The Resurgence
• How I Write A Sermon by Bruce Frank at Sermon Central.com
• Seven Ways to Preach A Lousy Sermon by Ken Collins at Sermon Central.com
• The Problem with Pizzazz by Churck Swindoll at Leadership Journal.net
• Preaching Hard Truth in an Age of Grace by Lee Eclov at Leadership Journal.net

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Justice and the Gospel, Part 2

I posted the first part of this video back in July when it came out on YouTube. I apparently fell asleep between then and now as I forgot to post the second part when it came out. (and since I was so delinquent with this, I’ve included parts 3 and 4 as well.) But, better late then never… so here it is. Once again, this video features Mark Dever and Jim Wallis being interviewed by Skye Jathani (thanks to Out of Ur for this great interview).

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

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