Archive for the 'Pastors' Category

On Pastor Burnout (Briscoe)

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on March 5, 2010
in Pastors and Quotes
. 0 Comments

From the Christian Post:

“I have a theory why so many pastors burn out: They start out walking with Jesus but they end up working for Jesus.”

(Pete Briscoe of Bent Tree Bible Fellowship in Carrolton, Texas, recalled hearing from someone at a time when he was depressed)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Bible Meditation

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on January 22, 2010
in Bible Memory and Pastors
. 1 Comment

Dietrich Bonhoeffer required his seminarians to give half an hour each morning to scripture meditation. Many of the students struggled with this task, so he wrote these instructions to help them understand the importance of meditation and to help them learn how to meditate on God’s Word.

Why do I meditate?

  1. Because I am a Christian. Therefore, every day in which I do not penetrate more deeply into the knowledge of God’s Word in Holy Scripture is a lost day for me. I can only move forward with certainty upon the firm ground of the Word of God. And, as a Christian, I learn to know the Holy Scripture in no other way than by hearing the Word preached and by prayerful meditation.
  2. Because I am a preacher of the Word. I cannot expound the Scripture for others if I do not let it speak daily to me. I will misuse the Word in my office as preacher if I do not continue to meditate upon it in prayer. If the Word has become empty for me in my daily administrations, if I no longer experience it, that proves I have not let the Word speak personally to me for a long time. I will offend against my calling if I do not seek each day in prayer the word that my Lord wants to say to me for that day. Ministers of the Word are especially called upon to perform the office of prayer: “But we will devote oursleves to prayer and the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). The pastor must pray than others, and has more to pray about.
  3. Because I need a firm discipline of prayer. We like to pray according to our moods — briefly, at length, or not at all. But that is to be arbitrary. Prayer is not a free-will offering to God; it is obligatory service, something that he requires. We are not free to engage in it according to our own wishes. Prayer is the first divine service in the day. God requires that we take time for this service. “Early in the morning I cry out to you, for in your word is my trust. My eyes are open in the night watches, that I may meditate upon your promise” (Psalm 119:147-148). “Seven times a day do I praise you, because of your righteous judgments” (Psalm 119:164).
  4. Because I need help against the ungodly haste and unrest which threaten my work as a pastor. Only from the peace of God’s Word can there flow the proper, devoted service of each day.

(From Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Meditating on the Word, pp. 22-23).

Accountability (PTOM 8)

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on May 14, 2009
in Ministry and Pastors
. 2 Comments

(Last week and this I am sharing my Personal Theology of Ministry. Click here for more posts from the Personal Theology of Ministry series.)

The pastor is responsible to God and the church:

Therefore I will be accountable for my ministry. Those who have been given a trust must prove faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2). Those who have been faithful with little things will be trusted with much (Luke 16:10-12). Therefore I will endeavor to set the example by following the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). I will watch over the church as one who must give an account (Hebrews 13:17). I will be careful to teach God’s word accurately (James 3:1). I will pray for those under my spiritual leadership and care (1 Samuel 12:23). I will be accountable to the church that I serve (1 Timothy 5:17-20).

Back to Table of Contents | Next section: Personal and Family Life (PTOM 9)

Related post: Church Search

Serving the Church in Love (PTOM 3)

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on May 7, 2009
in Ministry and Pastors
. 0 Comments

(This week and next I am sharing my Personal Theology of Ministry. Click here for more posts from the Personal Theology of Ministry series.)

The pastor is called to serve the church in love:

Therefore I will be motivated in ministry by love for God and love for people (Matthew 22:37-39). All of my best efforts count for nothing apart from love (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). My model is Jesus Christ, the good shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep. I must have the heart of the good shepherd rather than that of the hired hand who cares nothing for the sheep (John 10:11-13). I will be genuinely sincere with people and not operate from impure motives, flattery or deceit (1 Thessalonians 2:3-6). I will treat all people with dignity and respect (James 2:1-4) and use wisdom in dealing with different types of people (Jude 22-23). I will serve the church willingly and freely, not lording it over the flock, but setting the example for them (John 10:35-45; 1 Peter 5:1-5).

Back to Table of Contents | Next section: Missions and Evangelism (PTOM 4)

Related post: Church Search

Call to Ministry (PTOM 1)

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on May 5, 2009
in Ministry and Pastors
. 1 Comment

(This week and next I am sharing my Personal Theology of Ministry. Click here for more posts from the Personal Theology of Ministry series.)

When God calls, God enables:

Therefore I will trust God to enable me to fulfill his calling. An assurance of God’s calling is essential to effective pastoral ministry. Just as Old Testament priests did not take the honor of spiritual leadership upon themselves (Hebrews 5:4), so also the pastor must be called by God. This call contains both inward and outward aspects. Inwardly the pastor must have a sense of God’s call to the ministry. The apostle Paul experienced this as an inner compulsion to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16). Outwardly the pastor must demonstrate the giftedness and ability to perform the work of the ministry. The pastor should also demonstrate the leadership qualifications for ministry specifically listed in Scripture (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9). The inward and outward calls come together at the point when a church calls and the pastor accepts a specific call to ministry within the church. This assurance of God’s calling both initiates and sustains the pastor in ministry. The knowledge that God enables those whom he calls gives the pastor great confidence in difficult ministry situations (Exodus 4:10-12; Jeremiah 4:1-10).

Back to Table of Contents | Next section: Equipping the Church (PTOM 2)

Related post: Church Search

Questions and Answers about Our Upcoming Move

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on April 29, 2009
in Church, Pastors and Personal
. 1 Comment

I know people may have some questions about our upcoming move, so I thought I would answer them here.

1. Why are you leaving your present church?

    We are moving for family reasons and to be closer to family back south.

    Are you leaving because of conflict in the church? No. Agawam Church is a wonderful, peaceable church family with little to no conflict. I would not want the news of my moving to reflect badly on the church in any way.

    Are you leaving because you were caught in some sin? Ooh, the juicy stuff. No. Although I confess sin daily, I am not being asked to step down because of some disqualifying sin in my life.

    Are you leaving because of financial reasons? No. Agawam Church of the Bible has always provided well for me and my family.

2. Where are you going?

    I wish I knew! We are focusing on Florida, Georgia and Texas, but we want to remain open to wherever God might lead us.

3. When are you planning to move?

    The “when” depends on a number of things, including the “where” in the list above! We are probably looking at a 3-6 month window before we can move. We need to find a new place of ministry, we need to sell our home, and we need to make sure there is a smooth transition for our church on this end.

4. Does your church know you are leaving?

    Yes. This is something that I have been discussing with the church elders for some time and shared with the church family several weeks ago.

5. What kind of a church are you looking for?

    I have served mostly in Baptist and independent churches. I am committed to expository preaching from God’s Word, teaching and discipleship, missions and evangelism. You can find more information about me at my Pastoral Profile page.

6. Is there anything we can do to help?

    Yes. You can help me network by passing my information on to any churches you know that may be looking for a pastor. If you are a blogger, feel free to mention our move as a point of interest and post a link to my profile. Also, please email me if you know of an open church opportunity.

    And you can pray.

          1) Pray for us as we seek the new place God has for us.
          2) Pray for a smooth transition for Agawam Church of the Bible.
          3) Pray for the new pastor God will be calling ACB’s way.

Thanks! We look forward to seeing where God would have us serve next.

Related posts:
    • Big Change for the Fowler Family
    • Pastoral Profile

Church Search

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on April 28, 2009
in Church, Pastors and Personal
. 1 Comment

(Note: New posts are below. This post automatically bumps to the top.)

I am currently seeking God’s will for his next place of ministry for us as a family. If you know of a church that is looking for a pastor, please pass this information on to them. Thank you! Click here for my Pastoral Profile page.

Related posts:
    • Yes, we are all in Florida now!
    • Update on the Fowler Move
    • Big Change for the Fowler Family
    • Questions and Answers about Our Upcoming Move

Big Change for the Fowler Family

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on April 27, 2009
in Church, Pastors and Personal
. 6 Comments

I would appreciate your prayers for us at this time as we are looking at moving back south to be closer to family. We are now in our fifth year here at Agawam Church of the Bible. I am going to miss this church and all the wonderful people here, but it is time for us to go.

We are still looking for God’s next place for us, so if you know of any churches that are looking for pastors, please pass this information along. We are especially looking at Florida, Georgia, or along the Gulf Coast of Texas, but we want to go where God calls us and are seeking his will in this first.

I have put together a Pastoral Profile Page with materials for prospective churches: resume, ministry statement, statement of faith, theology of ministry, family profile, and sermon links. Click here to access the Pastoral Profile Page.

Once again, please pass this information on to any interested churches you may know. Thank you!

Related posts:
    • Questions and Answers about Our Upcoming Move
    • Pastoral Profile

17 Things Seminary Never Taught Me

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on April 7, 2009
in Ministry and Pastors
. 0 Comments

Deepak Reju shares his list of 17 things that seminary never taught me.

 1. How to tell a man his wife just died.
 2. How to tell a couple they should not get married.
 3. How to tell a staff member he is fired.
 4. How to tell my wife that I am depressed.
 5. How to tell someone that he or she is foolish.
 6. How to encourage someone who has given up on life.
 7. How to plead with a man to stay with his wife.
 8. How to give comfort to a woman whose husband just left her.
 9. How to comfort a mother who just suffered a miscarriage.
10. How to navigate the IRS tax code for pastors.
11. How to chair an elders’ meeting.
12. How to organize and manage a church budget.
13. How to balance church responsibilities with family life.
14. How to do a wedding and a funeral.
15. How to administer the Lord’s Supper.
16. How to best use technology for the sake of the kingdom.
17. How to shield my kids from the pressures of being a PK.

Actually we did cover a number of these in seminary, but there are some things you just don’t learn in a classroom. Looking over the list, I would say these are quite typical of the things pastors do. I have had to deal with some version of all 17 of these at one point or another in my 22 years of ministry.

The Pastor’s Dog

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on April 2, 2009
in Animals, Fun and Pastors
. 1 Comment

Well, I posted on pastors earlier this week and then on the pastor’s wife, so I thought it was time for the pastor’s dog. I love this old cartoon from Leadership Journal.

Pastor's Dog
                  (Rob Suggs; Leadership, Spring 1987, Vol. 8, no. 2, p. 75.)

Related posts:
    • You Might Be a Pastor If …
    • You Might Be a Pastor’s Wife If …
    • Parable of the Prodigal Puppy

You Might Be a Pastor’s Wife If …

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on March 31, 2009
in Fun, Marriage, Pastors and Women
. 1 Comment

Here is a follow-up to yesterday’s post on You Might Be a Pastor.

You might be a pastor’s wife if …

  • Every summer you counsel at teen camp for your vacation.
  • You have shaken as many hands as a politician.
  • People think your husband works only three hours a week.
  • You can teach Sunday School and nurse your baby at the same time.
  • You can sincerely pray for someone’s dog!
  • You spend more time visiting in hospitals than doctors do.
  • People consider you a walking phone book for church members.
  • You sing in the choir, teach Sunday School, and host a missionary family all in the same day.
  • You’re expected to be a piano player … actually, a “spiritual gift!”

Source: You Might Be a Pastor’s Wife If …, by Kathy Slamp

Related posts:
    • You Might Be a Pastor If …
    • The Pastor’s Dog

You Might Be a Pastor If …

Published
by
Ray Fowler
on March 30, 2009
in Fun and Pastors
. 2 Comments

H. B. London shared some of these at a recent pastors’ seminar:

You might be a pastor if …

  • You hesitate to tell people what you do for a living.
  • You’ve ever wondered why people couldn’t die at more appropriate times.
  • You find yourself counting people at a sporting event.
  • You’re leading the church into the 21st century, but you don’t know what you’re preaching on Sunday.
  • Instead of getting “ticked off,” you get “grieved in your spirit.”
  • You often feel like you’re herding cats rather than shepherding sheep.
  • You’ve been tempted to take up an offering at a family reunion.

And my personal favorite:

  • You’ve ever dreamed you were preaching only to awaken and discover you were!

Related posts:
    • You Might Be a Pastor’s Wife If …
    • The Pastor’s Dog