Ministry is a marathon - not a 50-yard dash. It's tough. You're in an invisible war where all kinds of forces are conspiring to keep you from what God wants you to do. A few years back I made a list of young pastors in America that I needed to be praying for - like others had prayed for me when I was young. Today, more than half of the young pastors on that list are no longer in ministry - either they had financial problems, marital problems, or just got tired and gave up. [complete article]

Written by Todd Wilken. Here are the topics covered: Forcing the Question - Facing the Question, What Is at Stake, What Does the Bible Say about Marriage, What Does the Bible Say about Homosexual Behavior, Why Do Gays and Lesbians Want to Marry, Responding to Arguments for Same-Sex Marriage in the Church, Responding to Arguments for Same-Sex Marriage in the Public Square, The Church's Message to Gays and Lesbians. Booklet #10-1772, Concordia Tracts, 1-800-325-3040. Well done. Order sufficient quantities for your church.

 

It has been exciting to watch churches engage with the internet over the last decade.and watch how they leverage the tools available to them to advance the cause of Christ . . . or not. While many churches are doing amazing things . . . some churches are missing the boat completely . . . and sending a message opposite of the one they are trying to communicate . . . Remember: Communications is not about what you say, it's about what people hear. If you don't get what makes the mind tick, you're not communicating. You're just talking. . . . Savvy churches understand that regardless of how important, beneficial, or life changing a message that you intend to communicate is . . presenting it poorly, cheaply, or in an uninspiring manner will ensure that you are just talking. So, how do churches engage in the new media in a way that allows them to communicate? Three things to consider: [complete article]

Dietrich was a young and brilliant Lutheran theologian and pastor in Hitler's Germany in the late '30s and early '40s. His life is amazing, so amazing that Eric Metaxas wrote a 591 page book about him. Here is one tiny snippet from the book.

 

A relatively small WELS congregation in Wisconsin recently ordered 4,500 I HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR YOU FLYERS. They attached them to a church brochure and delivered them to 4,500 homes near the church. Yes!

One of our longtime customers is Rev. Nathan Brandt, pastor of Living Savior Lutheran Church (LCMS), in Tualatin, OR. His church facility burned down even with 17 fire trucks answering the call. Two 13-year-old boys set the fire. God bless pastor and people! Questions: Do you have off site backups for your computers? A fire proof safe for important church documents? And adequate insurance for everything?

For new parents: Display a single rose bud on the altar to announce the birth and then deliver it to the parents.

Make a hard copy of this Newsletter and then check the things you want to follow up on. It's too easy, upon reading, to say, "That's a good idea," but nothing gets done about it. Make the hard copy now.

A young man was "deeply in love" with a young woman. His work became so demanding that he could only see her on Sundays; however, he sent a card each day, Monday through Saturday. Three months later she married - the postman! Now you figure out the moral of this little story.

Engaging the Aging is a timely newsletter for congregations serving older adults and is served by Rev. Walter Schoedel (LCMS). Ask a senior to secure free copies. It's full of ideas and resources to better serve older adults. On page 3 of the Spring Edition, for example, are ten great ideas for congregations to act on. Email info@lssliving.org for a free subscription to the print edition or visit them online at engagingtheaging.org to subscribe to their free email list.

A great weekly routine. Each week visit one

1. Prospect
2. Non-attending member
3. Attending member 

Make a list of names from these three categories and then work them into your weekly schedule.

Interesting quotes. Brooke Shields during an interview to become a spokesperson for a federal anti-smoking campaign: "Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life." The mayor of Washington, D.C.: "Outside of killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country."

In most sermons it is very appropriate and urgent that anyone not trusting Jesus Christ as personal Savior do so right away. This could be the last Gospel message they will ever hear. At the conclusion of the sermon, while still in the pulpit, briefly pray over the main points of the message and also for those without saving faith. This may not be the traditional way of doing things, but it's vitally important.

The Washington Times, March, 2012. If the pope called for the destruction of all the mosques in Europe, the uproar would be cataclysmic. Pundits would lambaste the church, the White House would rush out a statement of deep concern, and rioters in the Middle East would kill each other in grief. But when the most influential leader in the Muslim world issues a fatwa to destroy Christian churches, the silence is deafening. [complete article]

A few months ago we carried a little paragraph in the Newsletter encouraging pastors to give out three church business cards a week and invite the recipients to come visit and be disciplined about it. A young pastor in Minnesota called us and said he thought that was a great idea. He asked, "How disciplined should I be about this?" We responded, "Well, if it's Saturday night and you still haven't given out the cards, then jump in your car and go do it!" He responded, "Great! I love it, and I'm going to do it!" Yes!

For pastors eyes only: Church Press will make you a deal. Make the same commitment as the young pastor above, and we'll mail you a $5 Starbucks card. I know, you're saying, "Don, you can't buy me." I know. I know. It just our little way of saying we appreciate your work. Email us now with your address and we'll send your card right out. Good deal, eh?

Unbroken ($27.00) is a World War II true story of Louis Zamperini - an amazing story of courage and faith. This hardcover book was a gift to DFG. It's new. The first Email we receive (we'll email you back) gets the book free including shipping. We'll send it Media Mail. Check your library or Amazon if the above copy is taken. Loan it to a friend when you've finished reading it.

We like what some church secretarys and office administrators are doing: They go out of their way to make sure their pastor reads certain articles.

Your people will be traveling this summer. Pastor, consider encouraging these folks to attend church wherever they are, bring back the worship bulletin, jot their name on the top, and hand it to you on the Sunday they return. Thank them for the bulletin. Scan it for ideas for your congregation. Remind them on consecutive Sundays so they don't forget.

"Research suggests that drugs cold help prevent migraines in about 38 percent of those with the condition. . . . Prescription options include the beta-blocker propranolol (generic - $10 for three months). (Consumer Reports, July 2012, p. 12).

Here are 10 strategies for small churches:

1. Develop a strategy to minister to both current members and potential members. One way to guarantee that your small church stays small is to only think about, minister to, pray for or pay attention to your current members. . . . Look beyond the needs of just the people in the building."  
2. Get a website. Hear me out. Some of you may think that this is a big church strategy, but it's not. . . . Pastors, use the website as a way to connect to those potential members. . . . Pastors, you need to be the one who pushes the idea. You need to be the one who organizes programs to promote and utilize the website. [complete article]   

 

by Pastor Bob Tasler
The nurse escorted the anxious old man to the bedside of the young man. "Your father is here," she whispered to the patient. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened. He was heavily sedated from the pain of a terrible auto accident. Barely able to see, he reached out his hand and squeezed the old man's hand. The nurse brought in a chair and placed it next to the bed. All through the night the old man sat holding the young man's hand, offering gentle words of hope. The dying man said nothing, just held tightly to the man's hand and slipped away.

As dawn approached, the young man died. The old man wept as he placed the lifeless hand back on the bed, and went to call the nurse. She did what was necessary and offered her sympathy to the old man, but he interrupted her. "Who was he? he asked. Startled, the nurse replied, "I thought he was your son." "No, he wasn't my son. I've never seen him before. I was looking for someone who was supposed to be on this floor and you brought me to this room." "Then why didn't you say something when you realized the mistake?" the nurse asked. He replied, "He was injured so badly I was here ten minutes before I realized this wasn't the young man I was looking for. But he seemed too sick to tell the difference, so I just stayed. I think he needed a father by his side."

And so do we. Our most basic need is to be loved, to be approved, to be valued. We can tolerate a mountain of trouble if we know someone loves us. Our heavenly Father does, so He is by our side, and He will never leave us. He holds our hand when we're sick and quiets our heart when we're troubled. Then He asks us to be His hands to hold the hands of others and to be His voices and feet to do His errands of mercy. Join me in doing this, won't you?

(Pastor Tasler writes a weekly message like the one above and emails it to hundreds of people around the country free. You may subscribe by emailing at pbt45@ecentral.com.)

 

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