One of the joys of expositional preaching is preaching through a book of the Bible. Great joy and real challenges exist in preaching through books...
Feeding
Preaching the Gospel through all elements of the Worship Service
Seeking to ensure our worship services bring glory to the Lord and impact those gathered can feel daunting. Though not exhaustive, here are six...
Working with the Minister of Music to Create Powerful Worship
Worship is a vital part of any effective ministry. The relationship between pastor and minister of music is key to consistently presenting powerful...
Reading Scripture Publicly
The Associate Pastor slowly meandered to the pulpit. The congregation could nearly hear the second hand on the clock ticking it took so long as the...
Incorporating Apologetics Into Your Ministry
A few years ago I talked with a college student who had been a part of our ministry at Olivet. As we talked I mentioned some of the other students...
Leading
The Power of Presence — Incarnational Ministry
Pastor, one of the two biggest moments in the history of the cosmos centers upon the ministry of presence. What is the incarnation if it is not the...
Pastors and Financial Integrity
Ministry should be messy at times, but the same should not be said about our books. Brothers, a lack of financial integrity has the power to destroy our ministry as fast as a moral failure. Money, or the lack of it, has this unique ability to expose the depth of our character. And as my father always told me, “our ministry will never rise above the depth of our character.” Marked by that thought, here are a few humble attempts to help. Not to become professionals, but simply to stay faithful.
Elements of Graveside Service
Oklahoma Baptist churches have been aging in demographic for several years. Part of the answer has been to program to reach younger people. However, in the course of doing this we likely overlook a valuable group of God’s people who need to be evangelized, discipled, equipped, and deployed for Gospel ministry: Senior Adults.
Revision…Revitalize…Ministry to Aging Adults
Oklahoma Baptist churches have been aging in demographic for several years. Part of the answer has been to program to reach younger people. However, in the course of doing this we likely overlook a valuable group of God’s people who need to be evangelized, discipled, equipped, and deployed for Gospel ministry: Senior Adults.
Moving to a New Ministry: Leaving and Arriving Well
Moving from one ministry assignment to another is an extremely important time for you, your family and both churches involved in the transition.
Making the Transition to a New Pastorate
I was the pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church in Beggs, Oklahoma for four and a half years. The church loved us and we loved them. I genuinely...
How to successfully follow a long-term/beloved pastor
Oh, “you have big shoes to fill” has been uttered through the vocal chords of church members for decades without a scriptural filter to stop it. Both seasoned and unseasoned pastors have been on the receiving end of the “sharp” message meant to acknowledge what was and forewarn what is.
10 Things I didn’t know that I didn’t know about moving from Student Ministry to being a Pastor
I’m sure my context is different than others after serving in student Ministry for just shy of 25 years. I felt God’s call to be a pastor and have served in that role for more than a year.
Why the Pastor Needs a Council of Historians
Where can a pastor find this council of church historians? Don’t neglect digging in the church records or racing the church history. Contact the historical commission for your denomination. Look in old newspapers or with your state historical society. There is probably more out there than you think if you look in the right places.
How Church History Informs Your Ministry
For pastors there is always something else to do, somebody to visit, somewhere to go. Pastors are faced with committees, budgets, crises, buildings, family, and the ever-present deadline of the Sunday sermon. So in the midst of all that, why should we add the study of church history to our list of things to do?
Podcast
22: Using Notes in Preaching
Every preacher has to make a decision about the use of notes. Listen to Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor give some helpful insights into the structure and use of preaching notes.
21: Preparing for Easter
Research suggests that many people are more likely to attend church on Easter than almost any other Sunday. Hear Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor discuss helpful ideas for pastors in preparation for Easter and this special ministry opportunity.
20: Extending an Effective Invitation
Hear Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor discuss the biblical foundations and helpful approaches to extending invitations in response to the preaching of God’s Word.
19: Helping the Called
It is the local church that sends missionaries, ordains pastors, and commissions those who are called by God to vocational ministry. Hear Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor offer insight for churches who are helping those who are sensing a call to ministry.
18: Constructing an Effective Conclusion
It can be argued that the conclusion of a novel either makes or breaks the entire storyline. Preachers MUST do the hard work to conclude a sermon well and not simply come to an end. Sprint to the finish instead of falling across the line.
17: Grief Counseling with David Willets
Hear David Willets share key insights for pastors that he learned from walking through a tragedy and from his own years of ministry experience.
16: Books I Want to Read
Leaders are readers. Pastors often feel overwhelmed with the reading they “need” to do. Listen as Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor make a few recommendations of various types of reading for next year.
15: Developing Sermon Introductions
A good beginning creates momentum for the message of a sermon. In this episode, Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor discuss creating introductions that propel the sermon forward.
14: Communication in the Church
Communication is key for any healthy relationship. For the pastor, communication of plans, events, and vision must be clear, consistent, and continuous.
13: Planning for the Next Year
Hear Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor discuss helpful ways to plan ahead for next year in preaching and ministry.