In the early days of my being single again, friends said, “Call me if you need anything.” But I didn’t call anyone for several months. Why? Because I had so many needs I didn’t know where to begin. Then one Saturday morning, a flat tire forced me to into the unfamiliar world of car maintenance. My husband and I had settled into traditional roles: I took … [Read more...]
“Should I try to forget my past?”
As a former pastor and as an equipper of pastors, people often ask me the important question, “Should I try to forget my past?” When hurting people in our congregation and community ask us that question, how can we respond in a compassionate, biblical way? First, we can respond with a one-word answer. “No.” Then we can respond with a blog-size answer. Being pastors, we could … [Read more...]
Equipping your leaders to give good parenting advice
One opportunity your ministry leaders (elders, deacons, small-group leaders, etc.) probably will have at some time is the opportunity to advise distressed parents. Unfortunately, the advice they give might not be appropriate. People tend to give advice based on their own experiences. Thus, experienced parents tend to share what worked in their households and assume these … [Read more...]
3 surprising reasons kids misbehave
Caleb eats too much, plays roughly with other kids, and in general can’t control himself. Jesse is emotionally delayed and can’t get along with kids his own age. Iris has every toy and gadget available, but she craves adult attention. Sometimes it is difficult for us as church leaders to help parents when we don’t know the reasons kids misbehave. Sometimes it is the child’s … [Read more...]
“Pastor, help! My child doesn’t listen to me!”
“We don’t know what else to do with our son. He just doesn’t listen to us.” And that’s your cue to dispense advice that resolves this frazzled couple’s parenting crisis. So, what do you say? Before you answer, know this: these parents discipline their son Brian. Nothing crazy, they just administer consistent and appropriate consequences for bad behavior. When Brian … [Read more...]
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