Every spiritual leader, including the pastor (actually, especially the pastor) needs personal and spiritual accountability.

I have gathered a team of godly men with whom I meet (sometimes on the phone, but often in person) on a regular basis for accountability.

These men know they have access into every area of my life—and they take the access. They ask me probing questions regarding my walk with the Lord, family time, reading, and my thought life. They don’t hesitate to point out imbalances they see developing in any area of my life.

These men pray for me as well—for my personal needs, for my family, for specific challenges and needs in my life and ministry.

It seems that every time I mention the need for a leader to develop an accountability team or to seek out mentors, someone will ask, “How do you select such men?” This is a great question, especially considering the vital role of accountability in a Christian’s life. (more…)

Part of the joy of ministry is that of enjoying it with fellow laborers in the work.

In the secular workplace, friendship with coworkers is often a corny topic. When your expected ambition at work is to support your family and perhaps also further your career, who cares if you enjoy time with your coworkers?

But the work of the ministry isn’t the same as the work of factory. Should not those of us who have a common bond in Christ also have a common strength in relationships?

Ephesians 4:3 says “yes!”

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.—Ephesians 4:3

If you desire unity of the Spirit and a bond of peace, you will have to take the first word of that verse as an action item. Friendship requires endeavoring. You must give it specific attention and invest your energy in it.

Healthy churches and healthy ministry teams have healthy relationships. How can we develop these friendships? (more…)

You can’t miss the urgency and passion with which Jesus carried out His ministry. Throughout His life on Earth, He was busy about the Father’s business.

As young as a twelve-year-old He said, “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49).

Throughout Christ’s ministry, He spoke in musts, conveying the urgency He felt to do the will of the Father.

• “I must preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 4:43).
• “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4).
• “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. (Luke 9:22)
• And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: (John 3:14)

I wonder how often these priorities characterize our days? (more…)

I believe in checklists. Actually, I believe in lists, period. They help me keep focused on completing projects, and they keep me from forgetting important details.

In Philippians 2, we have a checklist of a different sort—qualities of a productive Christian servant. The first several verses of this chapter describe a servant leader as they reveal the mind of Christ and His humility.

But then Paul turns a corner and gives a series of personal admonishments. In these verses, we see five characteristics of a Christian servant: (more…)

The most moving sites from our family’s trip to Israel a few years ago were those relating to the last days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, His crucifixion, and His resurrection.

In these days leading to this year’s Resurrection Sunday, I’m posting a different kind of series—a picture from this trip, especially from the Jerusalem area, with a few thoughts relating to that scene. Most of the pictures will not fall on the day of the week in which the correlating event occurred, but I trust they will turn your thoughts toward Christ in this week leading to the Resurrection.

The Empty Tomb: Matthew 28:1–15, Mark 16:1–8, Luke 24:1–12, John 20:1–18

When the ladies made their sorrowful trek to Jesus’ tomb on that first Easter morning, they had no idea the joy that was in store.

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:6)

A happy ending to the story, right?

Happy, yes! Ending, no!

The empty tomb was only the beginning. No sooner had the angel proclaimed the glad tidings of Christ’s resurrection than he instructed, “And go quickly, and tell….” (more…)