Author Archives: Michael D Johnson

Dear pastor, You cannot go wrong spending your time and energy noticing people, listening to people and encouraging people. Very often we spend our time as pastors doing “behind the scenes” things. And these are good things – preparing sermons, working on building projects, preparing bulletins and advertisements. But the truth is that ministry isContinueContinue reading “On being with people”

Dear pastor, What is God teaching you? What is God prompting you to do? Are you enjoying your times with Him (in prayer/Bible reading/worship)? Who is God telling you to reach out to? What temptation are you facing and how are you handling it? Depending on your source the answer may vary but it isContinueContinue reading “Pastoring through questions”

Dear Pastor,Ministry is so unique (not to mention difficult!)One day we might be helping an addict, the next day a homeless person, the next day someone who is abused (or abusive) and the next day the church curmudgeon. Ministry can mean going from miracles to church conflict to baptisms to funerals to new births (physicalContinueContinue reading “Ministry is possible”

This Scripture is found in 2 Timothy 4:2 and is often repeated to pastors at their ordination. It is sound wisdom and we will do well to follow it but we also should remember that this comes from God’s Word and therefore reveals God’s will for each of us as His ministers. But I wonderContinueContinue reading “Be prepared in season and out of season”