Hebrews 13:17 ESV Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. In His goodness to us, God has given us pastors to teach us God’s Word, to encourage us, and even to admonish us if necessary.  Your pastor has a most satisfying job — serving the Lord Jesus by leading God’s people.  Your pastor also has a most arduous job — because more often than… Read more: Pastor Appreciation Month

I first met Steve at a Midwest Minister’s Fellowship retreat at the Tan-Tar-A resort on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. It would have been 2001 or 2002. Although I was serving in my second full-time ministry role, it was the first time I had served as a solo pastor and in my late 20’s, I was still very green. At the end of one of the retreat sessions, pastors in attendance were invited to come forward where ministry veterans would be poised to pray over pastors. Not knowing any of the veterans personally, my wife and I randomly picked… Read more: A Tribute to Dr. Steve Carpenter