Being a pastor: ministry challenges and treating others ‘Jesus-like’
Dealing with people is “a social science, and it’s hard to be exact about human personality,” according to a retired leader for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. “That’s why we use words like ‘probably’ and ‘usually,’” Dale Huff, retired director of the SBOM office of LeaderCare and church administration, told a group at […]
8 Steps to Receiving and Implementing Vision
True vision is not something you conjure up on your own; it is something you receive from God. More often than we want to admit, we dream a big dream and then ask God to bless it after the fact. In a world driven by ambition and self-promotion, God calls His servants to slow down and listen […]
Preaching task demands excellence and perseverance, Reavis says
Pastors are called to preach the life-changing word of God, a Florida pastor told a group of Alabama Baptist leaders Feb. 10. Herb Reavis, pastor of North Jacksonville Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida, for nearly 35 years, told participants at an Intentional Leaders event in Prattville that “it’s hard to believe we can do what we […]
8 Christmas Outreach Ideas
Christmas is one of the most spiritually open seasons of the year. Hearts are tender, families are gathering, and people are more willing than ever to step into a church service or receive an act of kindness. With just a little intentionality, your church can use this season to shine the light of Christ in […]
Churches celebrate those exploring ministry after Calling Out the Called Sunday
Rick Wright said in college, speech was his worst class. “I dreaded it, and I hated it in high school too,” he said. “But when God gets hold of you, he can take care of all those things that are fears.” Wright, now pastor of The Church at Chelsea Westover, shared that with his congregation […]
Warning Signs You Need a Break
My mom called me this weekend because a warning light came on in her car. It was nothing major, only a friendly warning that her key fob battery needed replacing. We, too, need to evaluate the “lights” of our lives, recognizing when we need a break. Several warnings I have noticed through the years: 1. […]
Pastors learn more about ‘Shepherding Well’
The last event in the third year of the Intentional Leader program focused on Shepherding Well. Hosted at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions office in Prattville, the conference featured several SBOM staff. Bryan Blass, director of the Office of LeaderCare, told of his call to vocational ministry after several years of work in […]
Hard work of preparation key to good preaching, says Robert Smith Jr.
While all pastors have times of struggle, they should be “empty pitchers before the fountain of God’s word,” said Robert Smith Jr. Smith, presenter for the July 15 Intentional Leader Series sponsored by the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, was professor of Christian preaching at Beeson Divinity School more than 25 years, where he […]
When You Are Feeling the Blues: Encouragement for Church Leaders
Our calling is both sacred and emotionally taxing. At times, we all experience feelings of discouragement, often referred to as the blues. Sometimes, I experience these “down days” without even knowing the reason. When those “blue” days come, here are some steps to help you process and press on: 1. Be Honest with Your Feelings […]
Bivocational pastors juggle joys and challenges of career, ministry life
For the past 25 years, Keith Crouch has stood behind the pulpit of Belmor Baptist Church in Mooresville nearly every Sunday. And on the weekdays — at least up until he retired last year — he was also behind the wheel of a UPS truck. “At about age 29, I was serving as a deacon and […]