After preaching for almost 40 years, I still write a manuscript for every sermon. I get the fact that not everyone is sold on writing out a manuscript for their messages. So let me offer seven reasons why manuscripting is worth the time and effort.
Category: Leadership
Right-sizing Your Ministry Expectations
What are your expectations in ministry? Would you say they are high or low? Optimistic, realistic, or even pessimistic? How can we right-size our expectations? That's the focus of this post.
Stan Fowler: Scholar, Servant, Singer.
One week ago, on Tuesday, August 26th, Dr. Stan Fowler, long-time theology professor at Heritage Theological Seminary, graduated from earth to heaven. I had the privilege of working with Stan during my years at Heritage. Stan was a “scholar in…
Summer Tuesdays with Ezra (Chapter 1)
This year I spent time digging into the Old Testament book of Ezra. While the book contains a fascinating historical account of the return of the Jewish exiles after the Babylonian captivity, it's more than a history book. It's a…
Tips for Teachers: Learning from Billy Graham
As I type these words, I’m listening to Billy Graham preach. It’s a rebroadcast of one of the messages he preached decades ago. You can tell that from the hairstyles and clothes worn by those in the arena. But while…
When You Feel Like Quitting: Learning from Jeremiah
The prophet Jeremiah wasn’t a quitter, but there were days he wanted to quit. Read what he lived through over the course of his forty-year ministry and you will understand why he wanted to resign. God gave him one of…
Read More When You Feel Like Quitting: Learning from Jeremiah
How to make change without making enemies
Change is notoriously hard for most of us as individuals. It's even harder for most ministries. We get set in our ways and go out of our way to keep things settled. I think it was Mark Twain who said…
Pete Rose and the Apostle Paul
This week, the day after Pete Rose died, the New York Times ran a article entitled, "Pete Rose's Story Shouldn't Have Ended This Way." It got me thinking of a sports metaphor Paul used when writing about finishing well in ministry.
Learning from Lincoln: Humility, Dependence, and Courage
In a day when we need stellar leaders, there is much to learn from the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.
Leaders, be a Peg not a Ball
This month, I've been working through the book of Isaiah in my devotional reading. As I came to chapter 22, I was captivated by the contrast between two leaders: Shebna and Eliakim. Both men were entrusted with a significant leadership…
Rick and Linda Reed 