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Beware of falling into ‘Sinkhole Syndrome’

Resolve never to let your daily life keep you from Jesus daily.

What if I barely received a favorable vote?

Seven questions to ask before you make a hasty decision

I am a sinner preaching to sinners

I am not worthy to be a minister, but Christ was worthy for me. I do not and will not measure up, but Jesus perfectly measured up for me. The gospel is true for God’s people in the pew and it is true for me, his herald, as well.

Most read articles of 2016

Around this time each year we like to look back at the content we published over the past year to see what resonated with you, the reader. Our focus at The Southern Blog has been to produce content that serves the pastor, missionary, and/or church leader. As you serve the church, we strive to serve…

Five ways to fight “preaching hangover”

You may call it something different, but every pastor knows it well. It is the mental, emotional, and spiritual crash that takes place on Monday as a result of pouring your heart and soul out in the proclamation of God’s Word to God’s people the day before.

Fruitful prayer and Bible study begin with changed desires

What a glorious gift, the new birth is. Not only does God justify us when he gives us faith; he also empowers us to begin a life of sanctification.

Once a student, now a shepherd: Life after seminary

What does ministry after school look like? Truth is, now that you’ve been a student, you are now, most likely, on the path to something that requires an even deeper level of commitment and dependence on the Spirit of God. You are called to be a shepherd of souls.

God sometimes moves us through good books

Sometimes at certain times in our lives God uses particular books to move us in significant ways. We wonder how it is that we could be reading that book at that exact time and God can guide us in that exact way.

Is every Christian called to evangelize?

As leaders, let us challenge other believers not only with our exhortations but also with our example.

10 habits to help a pastor stay married and in ministry

The combined stress of marriage and ministry is a unique situation that demands intentionality to keep both a marriage or a ministry from imploding.

Dear young pastor, embrace your weakness

The world says your greatest weapon is human strength, but Jesus says your greatest weapon is weakness. It is your greatest weapon because in it, his power is manifest.

Recovering from a bad sermon

How should a preacher handle the occasional failure even after extensive study and spiritual preparation?

5 things I learned my first year as a pastor

The Bible alone sets the standard for what a minister of the gospel does because the church is not a mere institution or organization.

How to be a global Christian without getting on a plane

The fact is, God has been seeking out the nations long before us. As you set your sights on the world, you’ll begin to discover his global desire throughout the pages of scripture.

5 Ways adoption fosters a healthy church

When a church proactively encourages and sponsors adoptions, it testifies to the transforming power of the cross and to the grace of our Father who calls spiritual orphans into his eternal kingdom. Adoption is worship.

20 Books every pastor should read

I have two categories of a top 10 list: One category of books that explain how to think through pastoral ministry as you do it; the other set to help a pastor remain steadfast in the work.

Should I ever break from an expository sermon series?

I am a shepherd who preaches, not a preacher who shepherds. In other words, I am not merely a Bible teacher exegeting the text, but a pastor walking through life with the people I serve and applying the texts I exegete.

On sports and the Christian life: An interview with David Prince, part 2

Sports are never the problem. They are merely exposing the problem. Like all of God’s good gifts, sports can be easily corrupted.