Welcome!
The first set of entries to this weekly blog (#1–#47) is entitled “Letters to a Small Church Pastor.” These are brief letters that are focused on topics I have found important in the life of a small church pastor. The second set of entries (Beginning with #48) is entitled “Letters to a Small Church Congregation” and is directed to the lay leaders and other members of small churches.
Although I often use examples from my own ministry, the bulk of the information in the letters comes from what the Holy Spirit has taught me through many years of ministry, reading insightful books or articles and listening to people who are much wiser than I am. It is my prayer that these letters will encourage and challenge you as a small church pastor or as someone who attends a small church.
Introductory Letter (Read First)
Letter #57 (The Body’s Members–4)
Letter #56 (The Body’s Members–3)
Letter #55 (The Body’s Members–2)
Letter #54 (The Body’s Members–1)
Letter #53 (The Body of Christ)
Letter #52 (It’s Jesus’s Church)
Letter #51 (Whose Church Is It?)
Letter #50 (Inevitability of Change)
Letter #49 (First Impressions–2)
Letter #48 (First Impressions)
Letter #29 (Dare to Be Different)
Letter #27 (Remember Your Source)
Letter #24 (Changing Others–2)
Letter #23 (Changing Others–1)
Letter #22 (Changing Yourself)
Letter #17 (My Wants vs God’s Will)
Letter #16 (The Greatest Obstacle)
Letter #11 (Expand the Family)
Letter #6 (You Failed at Something)
If you would like to be notified via email when new letters and other posts are placed on this site, please let us know via a comment after one of the letters and check the “Save My Name” box before you post your comment. Your email will not be shared with anyone, and we will not clog up your email with unnecessary links, posts, ads, promos, or other “junk mail.”
If you are a Small Church Pastor and would like to receive additional encouragement beyond these letters, send me a note via the contact info supplied. By the way, this site is not designed for debates about doctrine. It is designed for mutual encouragement as you lead your small church. (Be sure to read the Introductory Letter.)
God Bless, and I look forward to helping other small church pastors to achieve all God has planned for them and their congregations.
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Letter #47 (Announcement)
Dear Small Church Pastor, This letter is more of an announcement than it is a topical letter directed to small church pastors. The first forty-six letters were designed to encourage and motivate those individuals who lead small congregations. Beginning with Letter #48, I will address small church congregations, including their lay leaders and members…
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Letter #46 (Revival)
Dear Small Church Pastor, Many pastors schedule a yearly “revival” during a particular season. Some contact an evangelist, possibly the same one each year, to have that person come to encourage and motivate the congregation. Others bring in two or more speakers for a series of worship services that will hopefully challenge the congregation…
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Letter #45 (Frustration)
Dear Small Church Pastor, Everyone, including small church pastors, experiences frustration from time to time. That nagging question of why isn’t anything noticeable happening yet? The feeling that prayers are bouncing off the ceiling and back to the floor. Constantly worrying if the right choices have been made about volunteers, outreach efforts and even…
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Letter #44 (Rain)
Dear Small Church Pastor, Having planted quite a few gardens over the years, I understand the value of rain for a garden as compared to water that comes from a well. Veggies and fruits will grow when there is well water applied to them, but they just fare better when they get sufficient rain…
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Letter #42 (Quicksand)
Dear Small Church Pastor, Old western shows or safari movies sometimes showed someone getting caught in quicksand. The hero usually was able to save the victim just in time. However, these videos have created a misconception about quicksand that needs to be corrected. A victim normally won’t sink completely and drown if caught…
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Letter #41 (Handle the Hurt)
Dear Small Church Pastor, It will happen eventually. Someone–a board, a committee, a congregational member, a district official, or even a whole organizational group–will eventually subject you to some form of being hurt. The hurt will come emotionally or possibly even mentally. I pray it isn’t a physical or, especially, a spiritual hurt. But…
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Letter #40 (Be an Encourager)
Dear Small Church Pastor, One of the things I’ve noticed over the years is the important, absolutely necessary, job of being an encourager to those who attend worship services. Over twenty years ago I ran across a statistic that startled me. It stated that by the time a child in this country reaches his/her…
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Letter #39 (Treasure–2)
Dear Small Church Pastor, There is a financial “rule of thumb” that deals with living within your means and has been around for a long time. It states that finances should be arranged in a 10-10-80 ratio. The idea is that, when it comes to budgeting and managing your treasure (money and other resources),…
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Letter #38 (Treasure–1)
Dear Small Church Pastor, Matthew 6:21 and Luke 12:34 state, “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” Notice that the statement indicates your heart goes where you put your treasure. In other words, where you invest your finances or other resources will reveal your priorities. If you will look at…