Posts in The Pastor's Ministry
How does a man not lose his soul in the work of pastoral ministry?
How does a man not lose his soul in the work of pastoral ministry?

God calls pastors not to be superman, but to be faithful. As pastors seek to be faithful every day in their ministries, God’s sovereign will is being accomplished. Why is that not enough? Because a pastor brings with him to his church his own brokenness, personal struggles, and unhealed scars deep in his soul where God’s grace in the gospel has yet to affect. Pastors struggle to find their true and full identity in Christ and when pastors fail to show up secure in Christ, they show up in these false ways

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Preparing for Ministry, The Pastor's Ministry, The Pastor's SoulSean CorserThe Pastor's SoulComment
How does a pastor evaluate his sermon one hour after preaching it?
How does a pastor evaluate his sermon one hour after preaching it?

This might surprise you, but one of the most dangerous times for a pastor are the hours following his Sunday sermon. You step down from the pulpit still wired and juices flowing as you greet those leaving from the service.  Then, like after a good jog, you begin to calm down, your body starts to return to “I’m not preaching mode” which then brings a temporary, but real emotional let down with it.

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Preaching, The Pastor's MinistryBrian CroftPreaching, Pastoral Ministry, Training for MinistryComment
Five Reasons you Should Want a Declining Church
Five Reasons you Should Want a Declining Church

As I have watched our church through the cycle of growth, plateau, and decline several times in the last 15 years, I have learned there are some good, healthy, and exciting ways God shows to be at work in a church even through decline.  I want to challenge this common way to evaluate local churches with 5 reasons we want a church decline that demonstrates health and life, not dysfunction and death.

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The Pastor's Ministry, Church RevitalizationBrian CroftDeclining church, Church RevitalizationComment
Why should a pastor listen to the criticisms of older members about his preaching?
Why should a pastor listen to the criticisms of older members about his preaching?

In the tough, early years of my ministry, I thought I was the patient one. I was enduring through the criticisms, judgments, and actions to remove me. As the years have passed, I have realized that it was the other way around. These faithful saints, wounded by previous pastors for decades, were being patient with me.

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Preaching, The Pastor's Ministry, The Pastor's SoulSean CorserPreaching, Church Revitalization, Pastoral Ministry, Older membersComment
How does a pastor know when to make changes in his church?
How does a pastor know when to make changes in his church?

What is wise counsel before making changes in your church?“Preach the Word, sacrificially love those people, and do not change anything for a while.” That is the foundation, building form that I ask 3 questions for you to ask yourself as you move to bring the change that is needed and how to do so with discernment and wisdom.

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Church Revitalization, The Pastor's MinistrySean CorserTiming, Wisdom, Leadership Comment
How long should I preach?
How long should I preach?

I find many pastors, especially younger ones, are regularly wrestling with the question “how long should I preach?”. The pressure to answer this can be self-imposed, or forced by those in your church who complain your sermons are too long. Think like a shepherd as you determine the length of your sermons.  Push them to grow.  Nurture them where they are now.  Then, trust that God will use his word and your efforts to find that balance every pastor should seek.

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Preaching, The Pastor's MinistryBrian CroftComment
How do you respond to encouraging words about your sermon?
How do you respond to encouraging words about your sermon?

“Great job…good sermon…that really spoke to me.”  The list of phrases a pastor may hear as church members exit the church goes on.  Inevitably, whether the sermon was good or not, these quick comments will be spoken to us with varying levels of sincerity and it is important that we know how to respond in a God-honoring way. Here are 4 suggestions.

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Preaching, The Pastor's MinistrySean CorserThank You Comments
Why did I take the whole month of July off from all ministry?
Why did I take the whole month of July off from all ministry?

The rigors of tri-vocational ministry had left me deeply weary with a fatigue that I realized would not be remedied by a few days off. I needed to step away completely for the purpose of rest and a needed “gut check” in several areas of my life. I took the entire month of July off.  Unplugged from all ministry, including all social media.

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Home and Family, Soul Care, The Pastor's Soul, The Pastor's MinistrySean CorserComment
What should a pastor do in his first few years at a church?
What should a pastor do in his first few years at a church?

A pastor needs to be trained not to be reactionary regarding the dysfunction and turmoil he finds, but to have a clear plan on how his time should be spent during his first few years, regardless of what problems he inherits. The best approach for a pastor, especially when entering a dysfunctional, dying congregation is to simply be a pastor to those people.

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Oversight of Souls, The Pastor's Ministry, Preparing for MinistrySean CorserEarly years, Wisdom, Preach, Pray, Love, Stay, Replant, RevitalizationComment
How does a pastor get motivated to train and send out his best from his church?
How does a pastor get motivated to train and send out his best from his church?

I get it. It is hard to invest and train leaders, then send them out. It is hard to deeply love others only to let them go. But I am reminded in encouraging notes like this that despite the real personal loss pastors and churches feel, it is still worth sending them. Pastors, pour yourself into young men and women. Train them. Raise them up. Send them out.

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Preparing for Ministry, The Pastor's MinistrySean CorserDiscipleship, Train them to ShepherdComment