First person: 15 gift ideas for Pastor Appreciation Month

October 11, 2026

Perhaps one of these ideas will encourage you to honor your pastor this year.

Pastor Appreciation Month: 32 ways to honor your pastor

October 5, 2026

I update and publish this list each year so you and your church can consider ways to show your gratitude to your pastor during Pastor Appreciation Month:

First person: Why some people won’t come to church this weekend

September 28, 2026

Here are some of the most common responses we’ve heard over the last several years.

First person: OK, you really need to put your phone down. Here’s why.

September 24, 2026

I admit my struggle here. I’m so accustomed to having my phone with me that I almost unknowingly and reflexively check it continuously throughout the day. I’m trying, though, to put it away during meetings and conversations. Here’s why.

First person: 10 reasons some churches will not reach college students

August 20, 2026

I love college students. In fact, I’d want to be pastoring in a university town if the Lord called me back to the senior pastorate.

First person: 10 lessons small groups can learn from ‘old-fashioned’ Sunday School

August 6, 2026

When I started ministry many years ago, on-campus Sunday school was the predominant form of small groups.

First person: 10 dumb things I did as a young pastor

July 27, 2026

Sometimes I cringe when I think of my young days as a pastor. I started pastoring full-time at age 20, and only the grace of God and the love of forgiving churches helped me survive.