Should Fallen Pastors Be Restored?
It always saddens me to watch church leaders bring reproach on the church of Jesus Christ. What’s perhaps most shocking to me is how frequently Christian leaders sin grossly, then…
It always saddens me to watch church leaders bring reproach on the church of Jesus Christ. What’s perhaps most shocking to me is how frequently Christian leaders sin grossly, then…
The Good Shepherd Luke 15:1-7 Psalms 23 was my father’s favorite Psalm. If you were raised in church like me, you can probably quote 75% of it from memory. As…
Carey Nieuwhof interviews Dave Adamson, who led social and online ministry for several megachurches including North Point. Dave talks about why some churches should stop live streaming their services, the…
Let me guess. You keep thinking it’s going to get better, only to discover…it hasn’t. As I’ve been catching up personally with leaders over the last while, I sense a…
While no one can say exactly what the future holds, here are 8 trends I’m watching and would encourage you and your team to consider and process as well. 1.…
I may or may not know your pastor. But I know one thing: your pastor is tired. I have the blessing of being a part of a couple of local…
I may or may not know your pastor. But I know one thing: your pastor is tired. I have the blessing of being a part of a couple of local…
This book was co-authored with Benjamin Vrbicek and may be purchased at www.amazon.com. Why Am I Blogging, and Who Am I Trying to Reach? We were off, each of us…
My youth group was great, but I had never seen a youth event like this. Teens spilled out from the Youth Center into the lawn. Big-eyed, I wormed my way…
Covid has been like a mission trip for the analog church. We thought we were going on a short-term trip to a place that felt foreign. We got there, and…
“He also chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him to shepherd Jacob His people, and…
Pastor John Beeson describes why a local pastor and a local congregation is key to your spiritual growth and well-being: “You have access to the best pastors in America. You…
Dear Roger, If the devil cannot read our minds, why wouldn’t we want to pray silently and not verbally? When he hears what we’re praying, would our answer be…
Dear Roger, I have talked to many young pastors who say that to preach the simple message of salvation is outmoded and ineffective in our Post-Christian culture. Some say…
Dishonesty begins when you avoid conflict and intimacy. Dishonesty is based on the fear of revealing your weaknesses. Be authentic and give grace. Allow others to extend grace and acceptance…
Dear Roger, I am seeking reassurance that I have not committed the unpardonable sin. I don’t think I really believe that I’ve committed it, but I want to make sure,…
Here’s a challenging question: Why do you want your church to grow? Your motivation for wanting your church to grow is pivotal for a number of significant reasons. First, if you’re…
One of my most enjoyable professors at seminary shared a story with our class describing one aim of the church that I’ll never forget. It went something like this, “My family…
I want to let the cat out of the bag about how church is going to be. Consider this your guide to what’s going to happen at your church this…
Dear Roger, What about reincarnation? Please support with Bible passage. From, James Dear James, Reincarnation is foreign to the Bible. In fact, the Bible teaches just the opposite.…
Joy is triumphant elation in the face of great loss. Joy is not getting what you want, it’s appreciating what you already have. You are God’s workmanship! Preached…
Dear Roger, If life exists on other planets, did Jesus die and resurrect for them, too? Sincerely, Tom Dear Tom, What a great question! Revelation 13:6…
Talk to any church leader, and they’ll tell you it feels more challenging than ever to get people to come to church on a Sunday. Even in growing churches…
I know a lot about weddings. I used to write advertising for a company that specialized in rental tuxedos. One of my jobs was to answer all the emails that…
So this isn’t an easy post to write, nor a glib one. I’m not even sure what I’m about to write is accurate. But once again last week, we heard…
You can’t really appreciate the mercy of God if you don’t understand the wrath of God. And if you don’t have a handle on the justice of God, then you…
Dear Roger, For several reasons I’m looking for a new church home. I’m looking for guidelines to help me in my search. If I were to ask you, “What…
Do you struggle with control issues? Brandon Cox pens wise words for pastors and church leaders: “I used to design websites for churches as kind of a hobby and side…
Dear Roger, Our church just went through an awful split. I’ve heard about the ugliness of church fights but I never dreamed I’d actually be in one. Many of what…
QUESTION: I have been a Christian for over 30 years and I am confused with the teaching about the trinity. Do I have to believe that Jesus is God to…
Dear Roger, Please help me! My family and I belong to a church were cliques are always formed- even the leadership seem to be encouraging it. I’ve held on for…
You’d think that being in church leadership would ensure you’re not tempted to fall into the same temptations as, say, leaders in the marketplace. As nice as that line of…
If you think the gathering of biblical facts and standing up with a Bible in your hand will automatically equip you to communicate well, you are desperately mistaken. It will…
In Barna’s most recent research on The State of Pastors, a comprehensive, whole-life assessment of U.S. pastors, commissioned by Pepperdine University, we examine how many pastors are at risk of burnout, relational…
“Forty-two percent of the women in our church were sexually abused, inappropriately touched, fondled or molested before the age of sixteen!” I couldn’t believe my ears! Steve and I…
Recently, I had a phone call with a young leader convinced he was no longer qualified to lead because he’d messed up in a way that pretty much every man…
So many leaders face the conundrum of the chicken and the egg when it comes to church growth. There’s an 85% chance you’re facing it right now because 85% of…
So maybe you wonder why your church isn’t growing, or why it’s not growing faster. You’re not alone. The vast majority of churches are plateaued or declining because they can’t…
“So, what would you tell your 25-year-old self?” I get that question all the time from young leaders. It’s a great question. There are so many things I would do…
We need balance in our ministries. We need to be focused on our mission while at the same time constantly searching for ways to improve our methods. True Christianity is…
Once in awhile, people will ask me questions about leaving their church. They want my advice and opinion on it. This happened again very recently. Because I’ve received this question…
Preaching is always a challenge, especially in an unchurched culture. In terms of seeing radical life changes in individuals, nothing can take the place of Spirit-anointed preaching. The message is…
Hi Roger, How can I impact someone else’s life without harassing them with religion? I have many friends that don’t believe in God and many of them find it…
When you’re a church leader, you feel a lot of pressure. Almost every leader feels the pressure to do more when the key to effectively accomplishing your mission is often…
Church leaders, times are changing, but the real question is how quickly and how deeply? In fact, unless you’re under 25, the world into which you’re born doesn’t really exist…
In 1066, one of history’s most decisive battles was fought. William, Duke of Normandy, dared to invade England. He confidently approached his formidable opponent with his secret weapon, an invention…
Is God calling you to serve Him in ministry? First of all, it’s a big YES. God draws lost people to himself to save them, and his desire is that…
Two thousand years ago, Jesus approached twelve seemingly unsuspecting Galileans and bid them: “Come, follow me.” For the next three years, they walked alongside him as he discipled them. Toward…
Peter grows from a roughshod fisherman to a gentle and caring shepherd of God’s people. When we serve as God’s shepherds, we must be broken, humble and love unconditionally. Those…
Few churches understand how to reach millennials for Christ. Over recent months I’ve been collecting and tweeting(@warrenbird) various research, trends and ideas on that topic. Here are some of my better…
Peter teaches how deeply Jesus values you and showers you with unconditional love, grace, joy and blessing for the good purpose of blessing others. Imagine the audience in 1 Peter.…
The secret to self-control is to make decisions against your ego, flesh and second bests in life. Establish goals. An absence of goals is an absence of faith. Establish boundaries…
Learn to make the hand-off. Try to do for the next generation of church leaders what the previous generation of church leaders has not done for you. We need to…
The message of Jesus was hard. He demanded that His followers take up their cross, leave everything behind and follow Him. He didn’t cultivate the crowds, He weeded them out…
After I was thrown out of North Park University in the middle of my sophomore year, I returned to Tucson to live with my Mom and Dad. My older brother…
Paul wrote to Titus as a servant of God, appointed by grace, with a clear purpose in mind: to see people come to faith and grow in the faith to…
An elder, according to Paul, should be a man of integrity, loyal to his wife and wise as a father. He should be humble, generous, holy and disciplined. From truthforlife.org.…
As Brazilian jail cells go this one wasn’t too bad. There was a fan on the table. The twin beds each had a thin mattress and a pillow. There was…
Francis Chan speaks of his travels around the world and discovers what is truly important. We must live a life that makes sense. We must live in a manner worthy…
Pastor Glenn Barteau preaches on Roger Barrier’s ministry over the past 35 years. Get a look at the godly values that have helped shape Casas Church to become an enduring…
How do we define the “still, small voice of God?” This particular phrase is reminiscent of the scene where the prophet Elijah said that God appeared to him not in…
Eli, Samuel and David were godly men who were terrible fathers. Myths that growing up in a spiritual leader’s home will produce godly offspring include going to church produces spirituality,…
“Yes, Brother, I see that hand!” Church leaders, like all men with feet of clay, are tempted to climb ladders of success. Buildings, budgets and baptisms are never far from…
What are the things that slow you up in life? You know, the gum that sticks to the bottom of your shoe, the spare tire you grew over the holidays…Do…
With so many alternatives, why should we attend church, live in community and serve God? The church is God’s means for growing up His children. God gives gifts to His…
The Christian leader that builds his role on Christ-centered bedrock is blessed with a sound foundation for setting priorities and is more faithfully followed because those he leads know the…
In the Old Testament, Samuel declares that he would be sinning against the Lord if he fails to pray for the Israelites. (1 Sam. 12:23) The value of praying for…
The apostle Paul is so precious to us because he was Christ-centered, a steward of God’s grace, a messenger of the mystery, a champion of the church, and a recipient…
Paul encourages young pastor Timothy to pray always for those in authority so that the Gospel may be propigated throughout the world. God wants to seek and save the lost.
This is usually an “Ask Roger” question. But this time, I have a question, and I am going to ask my resident Thanksgiving expert, Tom Terry. Dear Tom, What is…
A great leader has a clear vision, an awareness of the needs of the people he leads and a clear communication plan for implementing change. The goal is to bring…
The book of 1 Peter deals with the issue of the discipline of suffering. In chapter five, Peter teaches the importance of good leadership and followship in the church. He…
Nationally-known business and church consultant Tom Lutz teaches that great leaders innovate, develop, inspire trust, think long-range and make wise choices. Great managers administer, maintain, control resources and develop systems…
Every pastor’s wife deals with pandemonium. The day-to-day challenges of family, work and ministry demand patience, grace and strength. Proverbs 31 was written by a mother to express the inestimable…
Dr. Brad Tuttle shares his colorful testimony beginning with his daring days as a Navy deep sea diver and nationally-known power lifter. He shares his journey around the globe as…
We are stewards of all the earthly possessions God has given us — our mates, children, homes, cars, education, skills and more. Because of His great gifts, we must be…
“Authenticity” is a buzzword frequently used by emerging church leaders. However,”being real” as a ministry couple just isn’t that easy. Roger and Julie Barrier discuss the unrealistic expectations that cause…
Pastor Roger Barrier and daughter Brianna Barrier Wetherbee discuss managing expectations, dealing with pressure and living in the fishbowl of the parsonage.
The art of “letting go” is the discipline of learning to release the hold of bitterness, confess the hurts you have inflicted upon others, and mourn the hurts that you…
Pastor Roger Barrier and daughter Brianna Barrier Engeler describe unique stressors on pastor’s children. Pastor’s kids can be helped by their parents when they demonstrate realistic expectations, empathy and right…
Pastors and worship leaders often have to overcome challenges because of different perspectives and approaches to creating an effective service. Many of these obstacles can be overcome by prayer, honest communication,…
Every pastor needs safe people in his congregation to listen, love and support him. Ralph Tacker, father-in-law of Roger Barrier, chats about the pastors he has loved and the ways…
Help your congregation to become passionate about sharing their faith. All churches have a focus: teaching, prayer, worship and counseling. However, every church should evangelize.
Our assumptions about Paul’s view of women in ministry are surprisingly challenged in Romans 16. God’s desire is for men and women to be restored to their equal standing before the…