Leah Dixon
Ribs, Recovery, Relinquishing, and Responding

Copyright Dr. Penny Nelson Freeman, 2024

This story began because of an accident in the summer of 2016. Thankfully my ribs are healed, but my spine is degenerating faster than I like, and pain is far more of a daily experience. This story chronicles growth as I learn how to manage my health as I age (although those who know me better than I know myself would say I still need to learn to stop moving furniture by myself). I see many my age still able to ‘do,’ and I wouldn’t be honest if I said I don’t envy them.

Ribs, Recovery, Relinquishing, and Responding
Leah Dixon
Stepping Back to Better Move Toward

Copyright Laura Andrews, 2024

I didn’t attend a Christian school growing up, but I’ve heard stories about how chaperones at school dances would approach couples who were dancing too closely to remind them to “leave  room for the Holy Spirit.” We chuckle at this, but I think the suggestion is appropriate in our difficult relationships, especially those where we have been hesitant to allow or create distance. A lack of “room” can make it harder to remember that there is a third “person” present. 

One possible starting place is this question: What do you believe about God’s role and responsibilities in your relationships?

Stepping Back to Better Move Toward
Joe Bruni
The Treads of Redemption for Weak, Sinful ...

Copyright Joe Bruni, 2024

Not too long ago, I was talking to a ministry leader friend who had been through the ringer during the last few years. He was tired and had a sense of decision fatigue after navigating the tumultuous months and years of a pandemic, the culturally polarizing dynamics among his people during an election cycle, and a pastoral response to the concern for justice for racial and cultural minorities. He even felt beat up and betrayed by a group of people in his ministry who made accusations against him and left…

The Treads of Redemption for Weak, Sinful Ministry Leaders
Leah Dixon
When Relationships Hurt

Copyright Laura Andrews, 2023

Ask several people how they feel about their plans to be with loved ones over the holidays and you will likely get a spectrum of reactions ranging from the positive—excitement and gratitude—to the negative, like apprehension, dread, apathy, or discouragement. Many might even express mixed feelings because their affection for those they see doesn’t override the painful interactions generated by their time together.

Over the years I’ve noticed that this relational pain is often the result of two common experiences…

When Relationships Hurt
Leah Dixon
Three Ways to Support Loved Ones Returning From ...

Copyright Esther Frustino, 2023

Is someone you love planning an upcoming return from the mission field? Perhaps you are preparing to welcome a missionary family back to your congregation or an adult child back home from a season abroad. Returning from an extended time overseas can be deeply challenging for both the missionary and the family (or church family) receiving them.   

In my last blog post, I discussed five tips I wished someone had shared with me while I transitioned back into American culture after living in Italy for two years. In this post, I speak primarily to those of you receiving loved ones back – whether family members, friends, or members of your congregations. May these suggestions empower you to best connect with loved ones during the difficulties of re-entry and set you apart as a source of support…

Three Ways to Support Loved Ones Returning From the Mission Field

Leadership

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The Joy and Heartache of Being a Pastor’s Wife

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The Joy and Heartache of Being a Pastor’s Wife

Cheryl Flannery, Copyright 2020

I have been blessed to serve in the local church for 30 years, not as a ministry leader but as the spouse of a ministry leader. I love the life and ministry the Lord has graciously led us into and still have a deep longing to make an eternal impact for the glory of God. However, there are unique challenges to full-time ministry: many pastors’ wives experience a sense of loneliness and isolation for a variety of reasons. For someone in leadership, it is often rare to find a group where it is safe to share their heart openly and honestly.

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Sacrifice & Stewardship in Times of Uncertainty and Change

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Sacrifice & Stewardship in Times of Uncertainty and Change

Joe Bruni, Copyright 2020

All of us are experiencing loss in one way or another. Many of us are experiencing first-hand the loss and grief that COVID brings. For those of you who are ministry leaders, this time of uncertainty has likely brought even more stress as you pour yourselves out to the needs of the individuals you shepherd. Jesus experienced something similar.

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COVID Care for Ministry Leaders

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COVID Care for Ministry Leaders

Updated: 4/17/2020, By Dave Wiedis

As all of us make the difficult adjustment to “social distancing” requirements and begin to feel the weight of this tremendous, sudden change, we would like to serve as a point of connection for ministry leaders. We have started this online forum to share resources that we have found and provide a place for you to comment with additional resources, questions, ideas, and video links.

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Dave Wiedis on Lebanon, International Trips, and the Ripple Effect of Ministry

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Dave Wiedis on Lebanon, International Trips, and the Ripple Effect of Ministry

Interview by Leah Dixon, Copyright 2019

It’s hard to underestimate the impact of traveling around the world to spend time with people. From my perspective, I feel rather insignificant and ask myself, “Who am I?” From their perspective it’s “Oh my gosh. You have spent money to be here, you have taken your time to be with us, and you care about us.” Ministering to 30 people sounds so insignificant, but on the other level it’s not. Some of them will go on for the next 50 or 60 years to share the gospel, minister to people and make a tremendous impact in the lives of tens of thousands of people! It is such a privilege to serve them.

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Phil Carnuccio on Sabbatical...And Why You Need One

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Phil Carnuccio on Sabbatical...And Why You Need One

Interview by Leah Dixon, Copyright 2019

The ministry of a pastor in many ways is 24/7. You’re always on: Preaching inspiring sermons, leading with a compelling vision, managing effective strategic planning, building a healthy staff team, raising money, performing funerals, making hospital visits, counseling, confronting critical issues, absorbing criticism and engaging in ongoing learning. The demand is relentless.

And in our culture we idolize hard work. Many people in ministry are burning out or flaming out [moral failure]. It’s an epidemic. Over time people [in ministry] keep doing what is right, but they don’t have passion anymore. They are working out of fear. They feel stuck and wonder, What else am I going to do? I never want to just go through the motions. I want to have passion!

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Five Principles for Creating a Healthy Team Culture

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Five Principles for Creating a Healthy Team Culture

Bill Smith, Copyright 2019

An assistant pastor described the ministry culture he used to work in by telling me, “My former senior pastor isolated the staff from each other and kept each of us dependent on him.”

Have you ever worked in an environment like that? How about one where the team leader was prickly and unapproachable? Or one where people used what they knew of you to control you. Or one where a staff divided into warring factions?

There are lots of ways to describe unhealthy team cultures—toxic, crushing, dysfunctional, draining, demoralizing—cultures that drive people away from you and pit them against each other. But how do you build the opposite?

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Finding the Rest of Ministry Leadership

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Finding the Rest of Ministry Leadership

Joe Bruni, Copyright 2019

In the Gospel of Mark, we hear the incredible story of Jesus feeding the five thousand. Leading up to this event, Jesus and His disciples were in the midst of intensive training and ministry. What did Jesus promise the disciples after a very busy season of healing and teaching? Get away and rest. Did they get it? No and yes.

In Mark 6:31, the author gives a key detail to illustrate the disciples’ need for rest: they had no leisure even to eat (ESV). This already-weary group stepped away with Jesus for rest only to be greeted by another large crowd. And what was their concern with this crowd? Send them away for food. We can’t host them.

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Closing The Pastoral Gap

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Closing The Pastoral Gap

Jon Sovocool, Copyright 2018

Ministry leaders are particularly vulnerable to feeling compelled to present a sparkling “public ministry persona.” It’s not easy to admit that the things we promote (desiring God, pursuing godliness, loving others, etc.) are sometimes the very things with which we struggle. If Papa John ate and enjoyed another brand of pizza would he own up to it? Do we expect financial advisors to disclose previous investment mistakes? Probably not.

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Navigating Difficult Transitions in Ministry

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Navigating Difficult Transitions in Ministry

Jim Rhodes with Dave Wiedis, Copyright 2018
Learn more about Jim Rhodes: Come & See

Every ministry leader -- whether young or mature -- must lead well, and this often includes navigating through the complexities of multiple transitions as God brings changes, challenges, growth, and even retirement. There are four critical areas a leader must address in order to transition well: Identity, fears, leadership style, and preparation. These challenges have the potential to sabotage you and your ministry unless you intentionally and proactively address them.

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The Solo Shepherd

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The Solo Shepherd

Guest blogger, Pastor Louis Prontnicki, Copyright 2018
Maple Glen Bible Fellowship Church

In the lean and hard years of ministry I often prayed, “Lord, would you move me somewhere else? Would you put me in a church where I don’t have to do everything, and where I can have more influence? (for your glory, of course!)” The Lord answered those prayers with a “No.” In His wise and gracious providence, he kept me as the solo shepherd of a small congregation.

The Lord is teaching me through being a solo shepherd that I am not the savior of the church. By looking to Jesus Christ as my joy and reward, I can more easily be, as the hymn writer puts it, “Content to fill a little space, if Thou be glorified.”

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When Toxic Leaders Hurt Ministry Leaders

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When Toxic Leaders Hurt Ministry Leaders

Dave Wiedis, Copyright 2017

After listening to a six-page performance review filled with accusations and criticisms, a youth pastor asked his boss, the lead pastor:

"Why did you wait until now to tell me these things? I didn't even know you had concerns with my performance."

The lead pastor replied: 

"I want to see how far down I can kick you and if you can get up."

Can you believe a pastor would say such a thing? How should the youth pastor respond? How can he minister life to those he serves while working in such a toxic environment? Have you ever been in a situation like this? 

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Dealing With and Healing From Burnout

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Dealing With and Healing From Burnout

Dave Wiedis, Copyright 2011

Burnout! Twenty-five years ago I knew I was burned out when I carelessly walked in front of a SEPTA bus, and stupidly tried to defensively block it with a karate move. I had been working in a large Philadelphia law firm, and the relentless pressure and demands of practicing law had gradually depleted my energy and judgment (who walks in front of a bus and tries to block it??). The near miss with the SEPTA bus, whose driver’s quick reflexes saved me from tragedy, convinced me that I was beyond burned out, needed a break, and had to make wiser choices in my life.

Burnout is a real problem, and for pastors, it is a real threat to you, your family, your ministry and your church. According to one study on why pastors leave the ministry, moral failure is only the second most common reason pastors leave the ministry. The first is burnout.

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