A Pastor’s View
“Civility” is one of those words you intuitively understand as an adult and hopefully practice as the natural outworking of your faith in Christ in relating to others. Its synonyms are graciousness, respect, courtesy. Its opposite is rudeness. It means “formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech.” The Apostle Paul described what I’m talking […]
I live in Texas. Texans are known for putting a unique spin on anything. I once heard about a cowboy who was asked his opinion of differing views of sexuality. His response was simple, “I don’t care what people do sexually as long as they don’t do it in the street and scare the horses.” […]
Let’s talk sex. That’s our topic this month in “A Pastor’s View” or “APV” for short. In just 7 months of existence we’re already shortening our name for efficiency! No, really, let’s talk sex and sexuality and all the fairly new terms that are now attached to this topic such as identity, orientation, LGBTQ+, fluidity, […]
I have been pastoring churches in Texas since 1987. For most of my 33 years in ministry I have been intrigued and sometimes intimidated by the tension and sometimes outright conflict between science and faith. I never did well in the sciences when I was in school. In the seventh grade I walked into a […]
My friend Warren is a trustworthy and faithful friend. He is a guest preacher at our church, a personal confidant and a wise advisor. He is also an experienced minister and missionary, having served for decades in different settings. A few years ago, he launched a mission sending agency focused on exposing teenagers and young […]
Summer unofficially started yesterday. The new season is off to a less than auspicious start. It’s been noted in the last several days that we are grappling with two viruses, one new, the other very old. The covid-19 pandemic that arrived in the United States in January is new. It has disrupted our lives, our […]
Steve Smith is Director of Hope Works Counseling Center in Plano, Texas. He has served in several churches during his ministry, including the First Baptist Church of Euless, Texas and Prestonwood Baptist Church in North Dallas. In addition to overseeing the counseling center with more than ten counselors on staff, Steve is pastor of Hebron […]
After a time of intense ministry, Jesus commanded his disciples to come apart and be with him away from the crowds and pressures of ministry (Mark 6:30-32). Someone once wisely said, “If we don’t come apart to be with Jesus regularly, we will surely come apart in other ways.” Let’s focus a bit more on […]
We titled this resource, “A Pastor’s View” with the understanding that local church pastors are key to Christ’s kingdom mission. Pastors are “front-liners” and “first responders” in their own right. The work of pastors is unique. We serve as priests and prophets (Ephesians 4:11-12). Our work is multifaceted and at times confusing. A younger pastor […]
The newest buzz word in church leadership is “pivot.” In a recent Dallas Morning News article concerning the collective attempts to slow the Covid-19 virus, Dr. Philip Huang, Dallas County Health Director, said, “This is what we’re all trying to address and keep death down as much as we can.” Keeping “death down” is a profound goal in […]