You probably know that God created the tithe in the Old Testament. But did you know God expects a tithe not only of Israel’s crops, but of the nation’s people? God explains that the first born of every womb belongs to Him. But rather than take the first-born of every family, God took everyone bornContinue reading “Ministers: You Are Not Your Own. Numbers 8.”
Category Archives: Preacher’s Life/Ministry/Goldfish Bowl
Woe Be Unto Pastors Who Destroy the Sheep. Jeremiah 23:1.
Once again, Jeremiah addresses false prophets and fallen preachers[1]. (I never realized how often preacher-scandals were addressed in the Old Testament!) Doesn’t this sound like a page out of today’s headlines? “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” Jeremiah 23:1. The prophet continues: “Therefore, thus says the LordContinue reading “Woe Be Unto Pastors Who Destroy the Sheep. Jeremiah 23:1.”
God Bless Our Preachers and Teachers. Jonah 1 and 2.
A pastor’s life is not an easy one. Here’s a typical day for one pastor I know: up at 5 to spend time with the Lord, head to the gym at 6 where he spends 30 minutes swimming laps, then runs and lifts weights. He is in the office by 8 and has meetings allContinue reading “God Bless Our Preachers and Teachers. Jonah 1 and 2.”
THAT’S PRACTICAL. My Johnny Derouen Story. Psalm 27:4.
Image: Johnny Derouen’s first day at FBC Houston, spring of 1984. Also pictured, Joel Nettles. Photo courtesy of Lance Vinson. The story goes that in the early ‘80s, Associate Pastor Felix Wagner interviewed 70-some people before he found the right man for the job. Let’s call it 77—the perfect number. After a two-year quest, FirstContinue reading “THAT’S PRACTICAL. My Johnny Derouen Story. Psalm 27:4.”
Let Not Many of You Become Teachers. Romans 2:17-24.
Could you become a pastor for the wrong reasons? Karl Vaters of CHRISTIANITY TODAY argues that you could.[1] “People become pastors for so many wrong reasons. They like the status. They like speaking in public. They like arguing theology. They come from a long line of ministers. The list goes on.” The trouble with enteringContinue reading “Let Not Many of You Become Teachers. Romans 2:17-24.”
A PASTOR/SHEPHERD IS A SERVANT, NOT AN ENTERTAINER. Ezekiel 33-34.
My childhood pastor, John Bisagno, had “a flair for the dramatic.” He was an engaging preacher with a powerful voice and a rich imagination. Sometimes I became so swept up in the moment, I focused more on the delivery than the message. Brother John was not just a preacher, but an orator. I was enthralled.Continue reading “A PASTOR/SHEPHERD IS A SERVANT, NOT AN ENTERTAINER. Ezekiel 33-34.”
LIFE IN THE FISH BOWL. Ezekiel 24:16,18.
Imagine a goldfish, swimming around a glass bowl all day, his every move on display. No privacy. Pastor’s families live in a fish bowl: everything they do is watched by the church—watched and judged. It is not easy. Being in ministry means living selflessly. When you “put on the collar” people see you differently. YourContinue reading “LIFE IN THE FISH BOWL. Ezekiel 24:16,18.”
THE SCANDAL OF THE SERMON ILLUSTRATION. Ezekiel 1-4.
We have gotten carried away with sermon illustrations. One Sunday morning I turned on the television to discover that Woodlands, Texas, pastor Kerry Shook had had truckload after truckload of dirt hauled into his church and piled on the stage. Stage left bore a thirty-foot mound of dirt and stage right bore a thirty-foot moundContinue reading “THE SCANDAL OF THE SERMON ILLUSTRATION. Ezekiel 1-4.”
Scandals in the Church.
Every week I read about ministers embroiled in scandals, usually involving sex, money, or an abusive leadership style. Imagine: God chose YOU. He gave you preaching gifts, leadership, the ability to tell a great story, and He put a fire in your belly to share His Good News. In the beginning, it was great. PeopleContinue reading “Scandals in the Church.”
Household Words: 