October 18, 2024

Today's newsletter is different from what you typically receive from us each month. That’s because beginning today, we’re transitioning our monthly Ministry newsletter to a weekly round-up of resources curated for pastors. The articles, podcasts, videos, and links you’ll find here are designed to equip and encourage you as you guide your church through today’s rough waters. 

WORD OF THE WEEK
When the Church Is Adrift

Written by Jared Kennedy, editor at The Gospel Coalition.

When I was in 10th grade, I saved up and purchased my first fitted baseball cap. My hero was “the iron man,” Cal Ripken. So I bought a jet-black cap with the bright orange logo of his team, the Baltimore Orioles, on the front. I wore it everywhere. And that’s why just a few weeks later, I lost it while white-water rafting on the Colorado River. I’d never been rafting before, so I had no idea how much work it would take to keep the raft upright and away from rocks. When you’re cascading down the rapids, you need to brace and balance to keep yourself from being thrown overboard. There’s not much time to keep hold of your hat. 

This week, The Gospel Coalition’s editor in chief, Collin Hansen, wrote about two factors—distraction and division—that tempt today’s Christians to drift. In the hostile waters of our culture, is there a line of defense to guard the church from shipwreck on the rocks of unbelief? There is. Here’s your word of the week: 

When the church is adrift, it needs godly pastors centered on Jesus. 

Hansen writes, “Pastors are my heroes. . . . Amid the rocks and rapids of life, pastors have been invited to lead the way, to steer a course to safety.” At TGC, we want to be a pastor’s best friend. We want to cheer you on, to help you run your ministry course with endurance. With weekly reminders of the gospel, we want to help you fight against the currents that could lead your churches to disaster.

—Jared

Resource Roundup

The Unique Joys of Ministry

Pastoral ministry is hard, and there’s often plenty to be discouraged about. But amid the hardships, it’s easy to lose sight of the joys. In this inaugural episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan reflect on some specific things they love about serving the church, helping pastors in any season find fresh joy in the work of ministry.

Stop Leading Bad Meetings 

You probably don’t remember taking any classes in seminary about leading meetings, but we’re sure you lead a lot of them. One of our Council members, Dan Doriani, offers a practical and biblical framework for leading better meetings.

Best Commentaries

Getting ready for a new sermon series? If so, you may be wondering which commentaries are biblically faithful and suitable for your study and teaching needs. Here’s some good news: TGC Council members, staff, and expert writers have worked together to compile an annotated list of the best commentaries on each Bible book. Check it out and find some of the best resources available.

Around the Web

Here are links to other great resources worth your time:

• Are you going to regret today? Erik Raymond shares a simple, daily practice that helps align life with biblical values. He offers a practical way to reflect on whether each day is one you’ll be proud of when looking back from your later years.
• Without a robust understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in both the believer’s life and the church’s ministry, we risk offering an incomplete gospel. At Biblical Foundations, Andreas Köstenberger explores seven key truths pastors must emphasize about the Spirit’s work.
• Humility—one of the most misunderstood virtues—can be cultivated and enjoyed without self-denigration. Greg Koukl clears up common misconceptions about humility by exploring what it means to follow Jesus’s example of “getting low” and putting others first.

Find more resources for pastors at tgc.org/pastors.