Ministry Monday: Overcoming Discouragement in Ministry

Nicholas Batzig, a PCA pastor, has written an encouraging post on overcoming discouragement in ministry. He lists seven strategies to repair and renew our spirits for service, including the importance of remembering our call to the pastorate:

In 2 Tim. 1:18 [Paul] told Timothy, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Remembering that God has set us apart to pastor His people helps fan the flame of our zeal for ministry. This is essential for ministers to remember when the discouragements come in ministry. Knowing that God has called you into ministry enables you to keep going when things get tough.

Check it out. I pray God refreshes you through it.

Ministry Monday: How Long Should a Sermon Be

Brian Biedebach, a graduate of The Master’s Seminary, has some useful thoughts on how long a sermon should be. He notes:

"According to at least one recent poll, the most frequent preaching length is 20 to 28 minutes. If that is true, it is a telling indicator about the spiritual shallowness of churches today. Many churches have already done away with their evening services and if the popular trend is to reduce the sermon time on a Sunday morning, our generation is receiving less than half of the biblical teaching our parents received."

Is the problem with pastors, or the people? What can be done to help people hear the Word with interest? Check out Biedebach's post.