by Dr. S. Paul Raybon In my recent E-ncourager article When People Choose Poorly, under the heading “Refuse to be Complicit,” I laid out a number of things we need to learn. Learn not to be an enabler. Learn not to engage in pointless arguments. Learn not to be tolerant of intolerable behavior and language. […]
By Dr. Paul Raybon Sooner or later we all grieve the loss of someone because of what we regard as their poor choices. If you live enough years and love enough people, you will endure this pain many times, and it never gets easier. There is a level of anger, resentment, and sometimes guilt, peculiar
When People Choose Poorly Read More »
While serving as an interim pastor the past two years, this role has given me many opportunities. I have had the privilege getting the church to think of new ways of doing things so that they may be open to the new pastor when they come to serve. Another objective of mine is to get
Can We Go Now? (Yes, but be careful) Read More »
In one of my former lives as a children’s minister, I had the “joy” of corralling young urchins while we waited for their parents to pick them up. Their patience was about as good as a gnat. But to keep them safe from strangers, an adult had to be there until one or both parents
by Rev. Dr. Bill Greenwood If I were starting my ministry over again, these insights percolate to the surface. Perhaps they could serve as questions that I ask myself even now – ten years into retirement from the active pastorate. Could I have focused more intentionally on the task both of being a radically committed
Looking Back to Look Forward Read More »
(Wise counsel from several retired ministers) Pastoral experiences over the decades offer us wealth of insights to share with younger ministers- especially those just starting their ministerial careers. Many of these revelations have come from the School of Hard Knocks. But each and every one of them is valuable. One of the most important matter
Tips for Young Ministers from Some of Us Who Have Been Around Read More »
In my last newsletter article, I shared a letter I’d written to four persons who were leaving my class to begin a new class. Although the letter was written not that long go (2018), much has happened since then, obviously. Here are some additional things I would say to a new Bible study leader today:
More to the Letter Read More »
By Dr. Rick Jordan Dear Leslie, Sarah, Paul, and Will, I’m sure there is concern among some Bible study leaders when some of their “brightest and best” are recruited away to become leaders for another class. I want to, first of all, confess that I am one of those Bible study leaders. I can
My Letter to New Bible Teachers Read More »
Each of us is a unique creation of God. Each of us has been called by God in a unique way. God knows each of us by name and he knows how we best respond to him. He speaks to each of us so we can comprehend. As each of us plead for help, God
How have you heard God answering your call for help? Read More »
By Rev. Jerry Chiles In March 2020 we lifted our voices to heaven crying, “God help us! Deliver us from this pandemic called Covid-19.” At that point in time, we had no idea what would be the extent of the pandemic. Over and over, we cried out to God to deliver us. When relief did
