Author: Administrador

Every pastor has encountered difficult personalities: the opinionated business-professional who wants to enforce his own agenda; the older lady who loves to spread rumors about church staff; the helicopter parents who deride the youth pastor; and there are others. Regardless of the size of the congregation or church polity, pastors eventually come into contact with … Continue reading “Dealing with Difficult Church Members”

As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I … Continue reading “Rock of Ages”

Years ago, when I first stepped into the role as lead pastor, I recall a brief meeting with a veteran pastor in a restaurant (there were few coffee shops back then). After congratulating me on my new role (and sharing his lament, “It’s lonely at the top.”), he told me that leading would be simpler … Continue reading “Dealing with Difficult Staff”

Something near the end of Eugene Peterson’s book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction reminded me of two things. One was a recent comment I read in passing on a social networking site that said something to the effect of, “I’m reading the Bible through in a year! How about taking the challenge with me!?” … Continue reading “Why I Can’t Read the Bible in a Year”

In a recent article for Outreach, Ed Stetzer writes: “There’s a popular saying often repeated by Christians. It has found new life on Facebook and Twitter. Maybe you have even uttered these words, commonly at tributed to Francis of Assisi: ‘Preach the gospel. Use words if necessary.’ “I think we can appreciate what many are … Continue reading “Preaching the Gospel Takes Words”

The Perplexity ProclaimedI anticipated that 2011 would become a banner year for the church I pastor and my life personally. Colmar Manor Bible Church was about to celebrate its 75th anniversary in March. Moreover, being the church’s longest serving pastor, I was about to begin my 20th year of ministry in June. This same year … Continue reading “One Pastor’s Perplexing Choice: Stay or Go?”

Are you a fan of the 1960’s hit series “Gomer Pyle”? I am. Do you remember Sergeant Carter’s favorite word for Gomer when he systematically goofed-up an assignment? The technical term, I believe, was knucklehead. I’m not exactly sure what that word means, but I’m convinced it wasn’t a compliment. I vividly recall an instance … Continue reading “Attempting the Impossible for God”

“God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:7-8). “Your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28). During the days of my first … Continue reading “Vision for Tough Times”

Many of you have seen the bumper sticker: “I owe, I owe, so off to work I go.” In the saying is reflected a basic reason for why we do what we do in our jobs: we need the money.Sometimes, however, we must have another reason for doing what we do because the money is … Continue reading “Work/Labor: The Blessing of Vocation (Genesis 2:15-17)”

In his book Say Please, Say Thank You (Putnam, 1998), David McCullough makes the case that simple words and respectful behaviors can have a powerful impact on others. Learning to live together, he asserts, involves much more than toleration. We also must learn how to speak to each other, affirm the value of another and embrace the … Continue reading “The Power of Thank You”