The Pastor's Justification

Perhaps it’s not the big wins we ought to be swinging for, pastor. Perhaps it is not pastoral glory upon glory we ought to be jumping to. Instead, even in forsaken places, we’re going for the dam break. We just keep picking away, inch by inch. Some days we knock out larger pieces than others. We are stronger some days than others. But we keep picki

Your mission field and ministry circuit is not your territory to conquer, but your assigned place for prayer, sacrifice, and gospel proclamation. Not for your fame, but for God’s.

Here it is, a tremendous word of welcome, extended to Jew and Gentile alike, to come on in and worship, not in the holiest place of the human tabernacle, but into the Holy of Holies in heaven itself “by the blood of Jesus.” This, pastor, this! This is our theme, this is our song, this is our proclamation! This is our vision. This is what we welcome

When Nehemiah saw the destruction of the Jerusalem gates, he broke down and wept. The devastation had occurred 140 years before that! When was the last time we were that broken about the spiritual devastation of our city? If we would be desperate for God’s glory in our community, we must see it with the compassion of the Good Shepherd.

Pastor, here is a ministerial secret not often publicized: sometimes things that shrink are getting healthier. So here we are: totally dependent. In ruins. Vulnerable. But hopeful. A remnant will always remain.

The justified pastor—the man justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone to God’s glory alone, who happens to be a pastor—when taken on his good day or bad day, ministry high or ministry low, will be received with gladness and welcome. Clothed in the righteousness of him in whom you trust, how can you be turned away? You will not b

One thing we must remember is that difficulty doesn’t indicate a lack of calling. I can’t think of any notion more antithetical to the biblical template for gospel ministry. The idea that God’s calling is sure only when a minister is comfortable, prosperous, and happy is not a scriptural one. So pastor, don’t confuse a difficult season in your mini

There is one mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5), and it is not the pastor or his church programs.

The vision God has set for the fulfillment of all time is that his glory will gleam in every nook and cranny of creation. There is a new heavens and a new earth coming, and because Christ is the radiance of God’s glory (Heb. 1:3), Christ will be the sun of this new creation (Rev. 21:23). He will stand upon the earth, and all flesh will see him and