Here are some good posts on preaching:
The Preacher at His Best – Kevin DeYoung
The best preacher is the preacher who is at his best when he is closest to the text.
John Stott’s 8 Keys to Preaching with Authority – Nicholas McDonald
5 Types of Sermon Illustrations and How to Use Them – Eric McKiddie (Gospel Coalition)
Here are some helpful thoughts on visiting the sick and conducting funerals:
What Are 10 Practical Tools to Hospital Visitation – Practical Shepherding
What Should We Do When We Visit the Sick – Kevin DeYoung
5 Things You Should Never Say or Do at a Funeral – John Pond (Gospel Coalition)
Here are some helpful posts on preaching:
How to Preach Like D.A. Carson Without Sounding Like Him – Pastoralized
Don’t Pack Too Much in Your Sermons – Erik Raymond (Gospel Coalition)
The Top Mistakes I Make in Preaching – Julian Freeman
Prayer is supposed to be a big part of our role as pastors (see Acts 6:4). So here are some good posts related to prayer:
9 Reasons Why Church Leaders Struggle With Prayer – Thom Rainer
13 Thoughts about Pastoral Prayers – pastors.com
Some Practical Help for Leading a Prayer Meeting – Erik Raymond
Pastors, Ask for Prayer – Kevin DeYoung
Last week I attended the RHMA Small Town Pastors’ Conference in Illinois with my wife. Here are a few take-home points:
Here is the third video I watched this afternoon from the Desiring God 2013 Pastor’s Conference. This one is from Kent Hughes on redefining the successful ministry. I had the opportunity to hear him speak on this topic at a RHMA conference a few years back, and the content is still very important for pastors to wrestle with. You might also consider his book on the same topic.
Here is the second video I watched this afternoon also from Mark Dever on the marks of a disciple-making church. You might also check out his related book, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church.
Watched three videos from the Desiring God 2013 Pastor’s Conference this afternoon. All of these are well worth watching if you are a pastor. Here is the first one where Mark Dever gives us four aspects of the ministry of a disciple-making pastor:
Here are two good posts on the fulfilling the Great Commission, plus two posts on leading funerals:
5 Ways Established Churches Should Think Like Plants – Brandon Levering (via The Gospel Coalition) An experienced friend once commented that planting a church is like trying to build a boat from scratch . . . when you’re already in the water. It’s not just all hands on deck—you don’t even have the deck yet to lay hands on. The context of urgency and camaraderie that comes from working so closely together at those early stages often creates a more pervasive culture of service in a church plant.
The Great Commission Is Bigger Than Your Church – Bobby Jamieson (via 9 Marks)
Because each of our churches is engaged in a mission that is bigger than any of them, we should proactively partner with other churches in order to fulfill it.
7 Tips for Preaching a Stranger’s Funeral – Dustin Neeley (via The Gospel Coalition)
Since I am doing ministry in a fallen world, this won’t be my last funeral. It won’t be yours, either, so stay prepared. Your next call could come this afternoon. Are you ready?
How To Lead an Unbeliever’s Funeral – Jared Wilson (via The Gospel Coalition)
No one has ever asked me, “Is my loved one in heaven?” because they all assume he or she is. In these moments I remind myself that I am an invited guest to this family’s mourning. It is better to speak my piece about the true gospel and rely on the Spirit to work the logic internally against mourners’ assumptions than to directly and personally contradict with a “Well, actually” to people who are sorting out their grief and trying to offer comfort.
Here are some good posts for pastors:
It’s A Strange Thing Being A Pastor – Julian Freeman
Ultimately we labour and long for results that we can never achieve. Being a pastor is a lifelong journey to a place of utter dependence. This is strange work, being a pastor. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
7 Ways I Want To Improve As A Pastor – Ron Edmondson
Pray more fervently – I believe in prayer. I want to be a person of prayer.
People Want A Pastor – Interview by Colllin Hansen
What are the costs of bigger and better church programs for every stage of life? What is the pastor’s role in relation to the members?
3 Reflections on Leading Your Family Well – Dustin Neeley
At our house, we call them “Monday Funday.” It is the day we play outside, eat Chinese food at a mall, and don’t talk about the church. Our church knows about “Monday Funday” because I mention it in sermons, tweet about it, schedule around it, and unless someone is bleeding out in their kitchen, I do my best not to violate it.
Brian J. Mikul 