Battered Pastors (4)
Over at Ref21, I have posted part four in my series on battered pastors. In this latest post I offer the first three of seven exhortations for battered pastors. All people experience hurt at the hands of others. But we…
Tag Pastoral Ministry
Battered Pastors (4)
All people experience hurt at the hands of others. But we are all also, without exception, the source of hurt. We are all simultaneously receivers and inflictors of pain. This is true of pastors. What pastor believes that he can…
Battered Pastors (3)
Over at Ref21 I have posted part three of a series entitled “Battered Pastors.” In this particular post I examine what happens when followers become toxic. Much ink has been spilt examining what happens when pastors fail to lead, lead…
Battered Pastors (3)
In which I ask some questions of elders… Every organization has leaders and followers. While this structure is sometimes informal, normally it is a deliberate arrangement. Because of this, not everyone is or can be a leader. Organizations are as…
What Is Not Happening
Thesaying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desiresa noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of onewife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not…
Battered Pastors (2)
The call to be a pastor is one of unparalleled privilege. It is a joy, though a sobering one, to preach God’s Word for the benefit of God’s people. For battered pastors, however, (and they are numerous) the glad labor…
Baptist 21 on Elevation Church
I have shared my concerns about the practices of Pastor Steven Furtick and Elevation Church previously on this blog. I have done this out of a deep concern for the peace and purity of the church and the integrity of…
Battered Pastors (1)
A little more than a year ago I read Handbook for Battered Leaders. It was written by husband and wife Wesley Balda and Janis Bragan Balda. Wesley is president of the Simeon Institute. In the past he has led the…
“Oh happy state–to be bold”
I have often admired Martin Luther, and wondered at his composure. When all men spoke so ill of him, what did he say? Turn to that Psalm–“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble;…
We all ban (sort of) books
Though the month escapes me, every year Barnes and Noble features famous banned books in their stores. The collection includes such titles as The Catcher in the Rye, Candide, Lolita, and even the Bible. Many of the books are now…