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…)

When I moved to Lancaster, California, in 1986, there was a teenage boy who helped us move and unload our truck. His name was Cary Schmidt.

Brother Schmidt literally was a part of our family in those early days and, while we greatly missed him during his time at Bible college, we were thrilled that God brought him back to the staff of Lancaster Baptist Church four years later.

For twenty-two years Brother Schmidt served as our Associate Pastor. He helped with the development of many of the ministries that are now touching the Antelope Valley and reaching into other parts of the world as well.

Through a series of God-ordained events (that were at times somewhat awkward for both Brother Schmidt and me), God began leading him toward the pastorate around this time last year. After the Lord directed him specifically to New England, we began praying and asking God to bless him mightily.

The last few days Terrie and I have had the privilege of having our first visit with the Schmidts and their wonderful church family in Connecticut. When we arrived in Newington (in the greater Hartford area), a fresh fall of snow had covered the landscape, and it was truly beautiful to drive through the New England countryside on the way to their church. (more…)

People use different words to describe it, but every Christian dad I know wants it for his children—a pure and emotionally healthy path to the marriage altar.

By God’s grace, Terrie and I have watched all four of our children fall in love and marry the spouse of their dreams—and of our dreams for them. What a joy it was to have part in each of these relationships and weddings in which our children stood at a marriage altar and pledged their purity to their spouse.

Obviously, Danielle, Larry, Kristine, and Matt had a lot to do with the “success” of this process. But I’m thankful they allowed me to lead and be involved in this crucial area of their lives.

Here is an overview of what our family practiced:

Preparing a Young Adult for a Dating Relationship

The phrase “young adult” is crucial here. Remember that as your child enters adolescence, he or she needs far more from you than rules. They need reasoning. They need relationships.

In short, they need to know the logic behind your expectations, and they need to have a strong relationship with you. (more…)

Terrie and I have had the privilege of ministering in Australia for several days. We are wrapping up our meetings today and tomorrow in Rock Hampton, Australia, with Pastor Robert Bakss. It has been a great privilege to participate in several services during which God’s hand has been very evident.

Sometimes when you’re away from home it is a little easier to gain perspective on some of the great things God is doing around the world. Following are some thoughts the Lord gave me in my devotional time this morning: (more…)