Worship is a vital part of any effective ministry. The relationship between pastor and minister of music is key to consistently presenting powerful...
Working with the Minister of Music to Create Powerful Worship
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Feeding
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
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?
How a Pastor CAN and CANNOT Lead the Church through the Pulpit
Through the pulpit, a pastor can lead the church by how he preaches. People will remember how we preach long after they forget what we preach.
Revitalizing Children’s Ministry
Children’s ministry looks different than it did a decade ago. The strategies we should be using today are not the same as they were at the turn of the century. Recent studies show that anywhere between 58% and 67% of Christian parents today choose a church with their kids in mind.
Pastors leading the church to be involved in Missions
More than Mission Minded, more than supportive of Missions, Jesus said to the early church leaders, “GO make disciples of all nation…” Mt.28:19....
Involving Church Members in Disaster Relief Ministry
As you consider ministry and missions opportunities for the members of your church, I would encourage you to reach out to your DOM to learn if there is a Disaster Relief Team in your association, or where the nearest teams are.
Podcast
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.
12: Preparing NOW for Holidays
Hear Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor discuss a few key preaching and pastoral ministry principles in preparing for the holidays.
11: Preparing a Preaching Calendar
In this episode, Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor talk with Stephen Rummage about the advantages of having a preaching schedule.
10: Preaching Through Books of the Bible
Hear Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor share why and how to preach through the Bible, book by book.
09: Scheduling Sermon Prep
Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor discuss various approaches to carving out sermon preparation time each week.