For churches, therefore, caring for widows (and by extension, widowers) is of vital importance. I dare say that the quality of care for its widows and widowers is a barometer of the spiritual health and maturity of a church. If a church neglects its widows, then something is definitely amiss.

Don’t’ be afraid to go to a physical library and explore a topic of interest. Go to the stacks and find your book but let your eyes scan the other titles that stand watch next to your book. Just maybe you’ll have your own serendipitous encounter and find other interesting books that provide you with great joy.

One of the more difficult questions to answer in a pastor’s life is determining when it’s time to retire from ministry. When should a pastor retire? This is a tough question for several reasons, but mostly because it all depends on a number of circumstances. Thus, there is no one set answer for this question; it ultimately calls for wisdom.

What do you do when you’ve spent four years in college, three or four years in seminary, spent ten years in the pastorate and then inexplicably lose your call? Does this mean you should change vocations? Do you search for another call? What should you do while you wait for your next opportunity to serve?

What happens if you graduate, and there isn’t a call or internship in sight? What happens if you’re riding the pine rather than starting the game?

In team sports if you have the skill and ability, you can be a starter on the team. From the very first tick of the clock the coach puts you in the game. There is a great degree of satisfaction in being a starter. This parallels the experience of a seminarian who, upon graduation, is a starter. In other words, soon after graduation the former student has an internship or pastorate lined up.

Churches are embassies of the Lord Jesus Christ and his gospel. They are not the property of any one country.

In the end, acquiring debt isn’t the end of the world, but be wise about it and think twice before you sign on the dotted line. Don’t unnecessarily hobble your chances of taking a pastorate because you are too laden with financial debt.

Martin Luther warned people about the theology of glory versus the theology of the cross. In our day, we should be worried that we don’t become theologians of comfort, always looking for the path of least resistance and eschewing the way of the cross.

Of all of the images that we find in the Scriptures, I think it’s fair to say that pastors, shepherds, are never supposed to beat the sheep. They are not there to scold or berate the church. When Christ confronted Peter with his threefold denial, his tone was direct, but nevertheless gentle.