LESSONS FROM MY LIFE IN MINISTRY – 1

            I’ll soon be 80 years old. I gave my life to Jesus 70 years ago and have been serving God for almost 60 years.  I no longer pastor a church; I retired 10 years ago when God showed me I needed to let a younger man with more energy shepherd His sheep.  However, I am still very active in local ministry and in training pastors all over the world.  Age has given me something younger pastors don’t have – hindsight.  God has used me to help others mature, but mainly He’s used the ministry to mature me and make me more like Jesus.  Here are some things I’ve learned.

God doesn’t need me but I need Him.  I started ministry excited about my gifts and training, looking forward to all I could contribute to the Kingdom.  It didn’t take too long for the reality to set in that God didn’t need me but I really needed Him.  Serving Him is a privilege and honor I’ll always be thankful for, but there is nothing I can take credit for.  It’s all Him.  He didn’t put me in ministry because He needed me to teach His sheep, He did it because I needed the sheep to teach me.  Ministry is His chosen tool to mold and make me more like Jesus.  God used it to show me my need of Him.  What about you?  Why did God put you in ministry?

Success in ministry isn’t measured by numbers.  The world uses statistics about income and attendance to measure achievements and accomplishments.  God doesn’t.  We know which New Testament churches were healthy and which were not, but we don’t know anything about their relative size.  A small church can be a healthy church and a large church can be unhealthy.  That’s what matters to God.  Are you successful?  How do you measure success?

It’s all about the Word.  The seminary I attended emphasized “Preach the Word” as of the upmost importance.  Feeding the sheep is our primary responsibility.  Studying God’s Word is a top priority, so is spending the time it takes to prepare quality sermons which teach and apply God’s truth.  It can’t be overemphasized how essential and key it is to learn the Bible and communicate it to others.  Do you know the Bible better now than you did last year?  Is communicating it to others the top priority of your ministry?

Family comes first.  One of the biggest problems I see among church leaders is failing to make their wife and children their top priority.  Many are so busy caring for people and growing their ministry, they neglect their families.  It is easier to impress casual acquaintances than to do the hard work of meeting the needs of a wife and children, but God commands us to do so.  Our wife is our first sheep, and no matter how amazing our ministry, we will not hear “Well done good and faithful servant” if we neglect our families.  Would God say you put your family before your ministry?  Would your wife?

Little things are really big things.  As I look back, I see the major turning points in my life and ministry, both good and bad, hinged on a “little” decision or action.  They didn’t seem big at the time, but then you never know ahead of time.  That’s why it’s so important to make sure every thought, every decision, every action is in confirmation to God’s will.  Mistakes can be forgiven, but they can’t be undone.  There is no delete button in life.  Don’t think little things are little – they’re not!    What ‘little’ things do you have to be aware of in your life today?

Don’t compare yourself to others.  Just use the gifts God has given you.  No two pastors are created and gifted alike.  My gifts are teaching and counseling, but I have a very hard time sharing the gospel with people I don’t know.  I used to think I was a failure, that something was wrong with me.  But God taught me to not compare myself with others.  I am responsible to evangelize and to minister in all ways, but I must also know where my gifts lie and focus on developing and using them.  Do you compare yourself with others?  Do you feel defeated by the areas in ministry you struggle with?   (TO BE CONTINUED)  (February 1, 2026  Doylestown, PA)

LESSONS FROM MY LIFE IN MINISTRY – 2

            God has taught me many things during my almost 60 years of ministry.  I listed some of them in the last blog.  Here are some more. 

I’m the hose, not the water.  Pastors get much praise from their people, and that isn’t bad.  But we must always keep in mind where the praise really belongs.  We are the hose that the water flows through, God is the water.  The hose is the conduit.  Without the water it is empty and useless.  We are the scalpel a skillful surgeon uses.  It’s an honor and privilege to be used by Him, but the scalpel doesn’t get the credit for a job well done – that all belongs to the surgeon. It’s very easy to steal God’s glory and keep it for ourselves.  Do you take credit for what God does through you?

Trials are opportunities to trust in God.  I’ve counseled hundreds of people with problems and difficulties, and it always comes down to how they approach their circumstances.  Do they blame Go, or do they trust God even if they don’t understand what He is doing?  I don’t minimize what people face but try to get them to see their situation as an opportunity to trust God.  Try putting this spin on whatever you face, good and bad.  What opportunities do you now have to trust God?

God sends unexpected blessings.  Just when I need it, God sends someone to respond to my ministry or thank me for something I said or did years ago – something I often don’t even remember.  God sends encouragement when most needed.  I imagine heaven will be full of similar reminders.  Name some of your blessings and thank God for them.  Who has helped you that you can encourage?  Reach out to them today.

I have a front row seat to watch God change lives.  God doesn’t need me, but He allows me to watch what He does as He changes lives.  As a pastor, I get a front row seat to see what He is doing in the lives of my people.  What a joy and privilege it is to watch a person grow, mature and live in victory.  It makes it all worthwhile!  What are some of the greatest privileges you’ve had in your ministry?

Satan is real and alive today.  I am the last person I can imagine being involved in spiritual warfare.  I am quiet, reserved, nonaggressive and will do anything I can to avoid conflict.  But God, in His infinite wisdom, chose to gift and use me in spiritual warfare.  I always knew Satan and demons were real, but I never imagined the extent of their control over people and the world.  Don’t fear the supernatural, but don’t underestimate it either!  Are you aware of how Satan’s demons try to defeat you so you can be alert and have victory?

I’m not exempt from the junk life throws at people.  Many time’s I’ve found myself in circumstances where I had to “practice what I preach.”   I can tell others how to handle the bad stuff that comes round in life, but somehow I think I’m immune to it because I’m serving God.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  If Jesus wasn’t exempt from the worst life has to offer, how can I think I am?  How do you feel when God allows you to have a bad day no matter how much you pray?

Let your mind explain reality to your emotions.  This is a truth I use often in counseling as well as preaching.  Too often we let our feelings determine reality and direct our actions.  Instead, we must use our rational thoughts to objectively make godly choices, not emotional reactions.  Do you let your mind explain reality to your emotions, or do your feelings influence your judgment?

Which of these lessons has God taught you?  Is He teaching you any of them now?  Which area most helpful for you as you serve Him? (TO BE CONTINUED)  (February 8, 2026  Doylestown, PA)

LESSONS FROM MY LIFE IN MINISTRY – 3

            I have shared some of the most important lessons God has taught me in life and ministry.  There are more listed below. 

God’s promises are always true.  I’ve known them in my head from when I was a young Christian.  I’ve memorized them, taught them and applied them to others.  But as the years went by I found myself leaning on them more and more.  They’ve never failed.  God may not always answer the way I want, but He has always been there keeping His promises.  Make sure you learn them and remember to apply them to whatever happens in life.  What promises sustain you during life’s difficulties?

All God expects is faithfulness.  Don’t worry about the results.  God gives His “well done, good and faithful servant,” to those who do their best no matter the results.  If we do something He wants and do it for Him, we will be rewarded no matter how it turns out.  A small church pastor is not less in God’s eyes than a large church pastor.  God doesn’t look at the size of our ministry, He looks at the faithfulness in your heart.  Does God see faithfulness in you, no matter how ‘successful’ you may or may not be?

Leaders are really servants.  One of the many ways the Bible contradicts the values in our world today is its description of leadership by serving.  That’s true for husbands, parents, teachers, pastors and anyone in a position of ministering to others.  It’s not natural to serve, it’s much more natural to want to be served.  That’s especially true of leaders.  But we follow the example of Jesus who came to serve and not be served!  Would God say you are a leader who serves others, or expects others to serve you?

Everyone needs a Luke, a Barnabas and a Timothy.  Every Christian leader must be like Paul.  He had Luke, a godly, mature believer to impart wisdom and give advice when needed.  He had Barnabas, a peer who was going through the same things in ministry that Paul was.  And he had Timothy, someone younger to mentor and train.  Every one of us must have three men in our lives like these.  Who is a mature believer who helps train and advise you?  Who is a peer that you share the ups and downs of ministry with?  Who are you mentoring and training in ministry?

Hearing, seeing, doing.  Feeding the sheep is one of our very most important duties, but that doesn’t mean just standing up and talking about a Bible topic on Sunday morning.  It means studying and teaching the Bible word by word, applying it to lives.  It means providing food that is appealing, healthy and well presented – like your wife feeds your food.  Studies show people remember 10% of what they read, 20% of what they hear (your sermon), 30% of what they see and 50% of what they hear and see.  When they are personally involved retention jumps to 90%.  I have found the use of visuals, pictures, objects and videos really helps communication.  I dress in costume and pretend to be a Bible person, use Christian “magic,” give out notes to use while I talk and encourage discussion and feedback when possible.  Are you creative in your communication, working hard to make your message well planned and well delivered?

Don’t assume.  Define terms.  An important lesson I’ve learned is to not assume things.  That is important when studying the Bible, reading what someone has written, talking about the faith, even preaching.  Don’t assume you understand what a Bible passage says or what another person means without making certain you know for sure.  Don’t assume others understand what you are saying without making it clear.  That is especially when talking to someone in a cult.  Define your terms.  Make sure you understand how others define their terms.  Don’t assume – you may be wrong.  Are you careful to define what you mean when speaking? 

Which of these lessons has God taught you?  Is He teaching you any of them now?  Which area most helpful for you as you serve Him? (TO BE CONTINUED)  (March 9, 2025 Doylestown, PA)

LESSONS FROM MY LIFE IN MINISTRY – 4

            This blog concludes my list of lessons God has taught me in life and ministry.  My prayer is that they will help you as well.

God gives enough time for what He wants us to do.  Jesus had 7 24-hour days in a week, the same as we have.  Yet He was never rushed or in a hurry.  He always had time for people, for interruptions and for time with God.  Do you?  God won’t give you more to do than He gives you time to do it.  It you are too busy then you are doing things He hasn’t given you to do.  What should you cut out of your life to have more time for your relationship with God and family?

Throw the best pass you can then let it go.  A very important lesson I learned is that I am not responsible for how a person responds to my messages or counsel.  I must do my best, but what they do with the truth I convey is between them and God.  If I faithfully do my best, I cannot blame myself when they reject my words, nor can I take credit when they respond.  I am like a quarterback who must throw the best pass he can, but after the football leaves his hand it is up to the receiver if he catches it or drops it.  That is how I must view my teaching and preaching.  If not I will be either proud or discouraged.  Or I may be tempted to try to manipulate people to get my desired response.  I cannot evaluate myself based on how others respond.  Do you get discouraged when people reject your words?  Do you take credit when someone responds positively to your ministry?

God gives enough money for what He wants us to have.  Instead of trying to come up with enough money to support your chosen life style, adjust your life style to your income.  Never go into debt!  Don’t spend money you don’t have.  Be content with what God provides.  Are you in debt?  Are you content with what you have or wanting more?

Be a quick forgiver.  A key to a good marriage is forgiveness, even before the other person asks.  As soon as we feel hurt from another person, especially a family member, we must forgive them no matter what.  That’s true with everyone.  Is there anyone you haven’t forgiven; anyone you don’t feel comfortable around?

Planning for the future is a must.  We had very little money at the start, but we still saved some.  Now it is paying off.  Good stewardship of finances, time and health are a must.  Don’t neglect your health.  You have one body, make it last!  Pace yourself so you can keep being fruitful in your old age.  Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Save some money no matter how little you earn.  Exercise.  Get enough rest.  Eat healthy food.  Don’t let yourself get overweight.  We have to give account to God for how we use all He has given us: our gifts, our bodies and our time.  Is God proud of you for the way you use your money, time, gifts and body?

Preach the Word and they’ll come – NOT TRUE.  I used to think as long as I prepared well and preached God’s Word then people would come to be fed and to grow.  That hasn’t been true for me.  We live in a world of evil, blinded by darkness.  Most people aren’t looking for light and truth – they are running from it.  It’s an uphill battle to reach people for Jesus, at least it’s been for me.   The gospel is not popular in the area where I live.  True believers and churches are few and far between.  Yes, preach the Word, but don’t think something is wrong with you if your church doesn’t grow in leaps and bounds.  Are you faithfully studying and sharing God’s Word with others?

When Jesus is all you have, Jesus is all you need.  Some of the most difficult times I faced in life have been in India, far from home and very, very sick.  I relied on God’s promise: when I am weak, then I am strong.  I had no resources and nothing but Jesus to lean on but I found Him to be sufficient.  I know you believe that in your mind, but have you discovered by personal experience that Jesus is all you need?  (March 16, 2026 Doylestown, PA)

Which of these lessons has God taught you?  Is He teaching you any of them now?  Which area most helpful for you as you serve Him?  Write your own list of what God has taught you.  I’d LOVE to see it!!!