In short, don’t be a lemming. When you see the crowd going one way, stop, ask yourself why, and determine whether the world is conforming you to its patterns or whether the word of God is transforming your life to reflect more of the image of Christ.

Remember, Christ, Paul, and the other apostles were all subjected to withering criticism. If you’re a pastor and find yourself under the fire of criticism, then you’re in good company. Don’t look for a way out—after prayerful consideration of whether the criticism is valid—press on and follow in the footsteps of Christ. Press forward in the way of the cross.

Regardless of the nature of the conflict, for ministers there is the constant struggle to maintain a proper family-church balance. The minister has two churches that he has to shepherd—his family and his congregation. Both constantly pull at this attention, and the temptation is to see the congregation as the church with the greater need.

Read and re-read and don’t be afraid to work hard to learn. Read once, twice, three times if necessary. Outline the book. Take notes. In the end, you will reap the benefits, and more importantly, so will your congregation.

If the only time you interact with your fellow colleagues is at meetings of presbytery or consistory as you’re debating difficult matters, you’ll find it difficult to get along with them. You need to create a broader context, one where you can relate to your colleagues about life, challenges, theology, sports, and the like. You just might find that someone you think you don’t like will become a good friend.

If you are counseling someone and they struggle with problems that might be spiritually caused, don’t rule out medical problems. If the person hasn’t seen a doctor in a while, tell them to go get a check-up. It could very well be that they’re suffering from a genuine medical problem rather than a persistent spiritual one.

In the end, paying for a PhD calls for wisdom. Pray that the Lord will make the finances available for pursuing advanced theological studies.

In the States you typically sit for language qualifying exams, perhaps entrance exams for the program, and then take two years of seminars before you begin to write your dissertation. In Europe, you usually begin working on your dissertation from day one.

Don’t be intimidated by the preparation process. Recognize that it will take some time but that you can manage things one step at a time. A thousand mile journey begins with one step. Just keep plugging away at it and you’ll do fine.

If you like to learn, you don’t need to get a PhD to do it. There are much cheaper and less demanding, but nevertheless rewarding, ways to do this. Designate a part of your budget towards books and start reading.