Candid Q & A about Church & Ministry

Welcome to another Thursday UNFILTERED blog post, the only blog that believes you really don’t need Google or AI; your spouse knows everything.

“The ministry is that which the Holy Spirit enables you to do in any sphere and occupation to which the Lord leads you.”

~ T. Austin-Sparks

The above quote echoes what I wrote in 48 Laws of Spiritual Power, which is, every Christian is in ministry.

Whether you’re cooking meals, operating machinery, building structures, or working in any field, you have the opportunity to honor God through your actions and attitude. If you are doing it for His glory, then it is ministry.

In that connection, Jared and I just completed our six-part series in which some of you sent questions about church and ministry.

One of the questions I answer in this series is a query I’ve received more than once. It is answered in the last episode of the series.

Even if you’re not a ministry “leader,” I believe the series will help you because (again) ALL of God’s people have a ministry of some kind. If we belong to Christ, we are all servants of the Lord, and we are all part of the believing priesthood.

I hope you enjoy the series and will share it with others, particularly those who are pastors and teachers in the body of Christ.

You can listen to them all on the “Christ is All podcast” on all platforms – they are the most recent episodes.

They are also on our YouTube Channel – which we’ve been completely renovating with new features – just select the “Christ is All” playlist when you get there.

Here are the questions we tackled in each episode. Just click the episode name to access the discussion.

Episode 215: Candid Q & A about Church and Ministry – Part I

* How do I balance the demands of ministry with family life and personal time?

Episode 216: Candid Q & A about Church and Ministry – Part II

* How do you prepare your messages?

Episode 217: Candid Q & A about Church and Ministry – Part III

* What is something you wish someone had prepared you for when you began in ministry?

* How do you define success in ministry?

* What one or two books are you reading right now?

Episode 218: Candid Q & A about Church and Ministry – Part IV

* What spiritual disciplines do you find important to your ministry?

* How do you personally practice mutual submission in ministry?

Episode 219: Candid Q & A about Church and Ministry – Part V

* How do you respond to criticism?

* What is the most difficult aspect of ministry for you?

* I’m a 35-year-old lead pastor and I’m interested in your IXP Mastermind. Can you tell me about it?

* The research shows that the majority of pastors in the US suffer from depression, and from my experience in ministry, this is true. What would you say to a pastor struggling with depression?

Episode 220: Candid Q & A about Church and Ministry – Part VI

* How do I stay energized and avoid burnout in this demanding vocation?

* I have listened to many of your podcasts and read many of your books but I’d like to make an observation and ask a question. Why is it that nearly all of your podcast conversation partners are “lead pastors” or seminary graduates instead of actual practitioners of the things you teach and emphasize in most of your books and teachings. Why don’t you do episodes on organic church life?

Go here to access the YouTube channel to listen to the entire library of messages, monologues, and interviews. Please subscribe because it helps others find it. Since we don’t pay for ads, we rely on those who subscribe and “like” the videos.

Grace and peace,

fv