Years ago, I read a book by the Puritan Richard Baxter (1615-1691) called The Reformed Pastor. This book challenged me in a number of ways, particularly in the area of pastoral visitation. Baxter writes, “We spend Monday and Tuesday, from morning almost to night, in the work, taking about fifteen or sixteen families in a week, that we may go through the parish in which … Continue reading 6 Tips for Pastoral Visitation
Pastors are constantly planning. Whether it be sermons, worship services, counselling appointments, Bible study’s or other meetings, the pastor is certainly not foreign to planning. But they can’t plan for the unexpected death of a church member. A key part of pastoral ministry is that of grief ministry. When death touches your congregation, you need to be prepared. The family will be hurting, sometimes even … Continue reading 6 Ways Pastors Can Minister to the Grieving
When I became a pastor several years ago, I quickly realized that the dropout rate among pastors was high. Statistics vary, but in my own experience I have known several pastors who left the ministry for one reason or another. We lament over this, but we sometimes forget there are also pastors who have persevered for decades in ministry. My friend and mentor Dave Lewis … Continue reading Celebrating 70 years in Ministry – Pastor Dave Lewis
Shepherd the Flock 