Ministry127 - Encouraging, Equipping, and Engaging Ideas from Local Church Leaders

Rules for Reliability

Parry Dalzell — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:12:09 +0000

Rules for Reliability Parry Dalzell Tue, 06/30/2026 - 10:12

5 Ways Church Staff Can Build Trust

In June of 1815, Napoleon faced the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon had a plan, an army, and a real opportunity for victory. But the night before the battle, a terrible storm rolled through. The field became soaked with rain, and the ground turned to mud.

That may seem like a small thing compared to the size of an army, but it mattered. Artillery could not be positioned as quickly. Cavalry could not move as freely. The whole advance was slowed because the ground could not be trusted to carry the weight of the battle.

By the time the French attack fully developed, the delay had mattered. Wellington held his position, and later in the day, Prussian reinforcements arrived. Napoleon was not defeated by mud alone, but the condition of the ground became one more reason the battle did not unfold as he had planned.

In a battle, confidence matters.

A leader needs to know what he can trust, who he can lean on, and what will hold when pressure comes.

That is also a powerful picture of staff ministry.

The Book of Proverbs says, “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.”

A broken tooth and a foot out of joint have one thing in common: you cannot put weight on them. They fail you at the moment you need them most.

A good staff member should be someone a pastor can lean on, not someone who adds pressure, confusion, or unnecessary concern. Yet it is possible to be sincere, hardworking, and well intentioned, while still failing to truly lighten the load.

Most church staff members genuinely want to be a blessing. They want to support their pastor, help the church move forward, and serve faithfully. And honestly, most of us probably assume we are doing that better than we actually are.

So I wrote five rules for myself. These are principles that have helped me think through what it means to become the kind of staff member who is dependable, helpful, reliable, and able to carry weight.

I hope they help you too.

1. Emotional Consistency

“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” (Proverbs 25:28)

Pastors should not have to emotionally regulate their staff members.

They already spend their days carrying burdens: counseling people, navigating conflict, making decisions, dealing with emergencies, praying through heavy situations, and leading spiritually while trying to remain steady at home.

When a staff member becomes emotionally unpredictable, the pastor does not just notice. He becomes unsure about your stability, loyalty, and ability to carry responsibility. That slows him down. He starts spending energy on things that should not require that kind of energy.

A pastor needs men and women around him who can regulate themselves with the Lord’s help. He needs people who do not spiral when something goes wrong. People who do not turn every correction into a crisis. People who do not require constant reassurance to stay engaged.

If you cannot rule your own spirit, you open the door for instability, resentment, and unnecessary tension to affect your ministry, your pastor, and the team around you.

This does not mean you never struggle. It means when you do struggle, you handle it with maturity. Take it to the Lord first. Talk to a trusted friend with discretion. Go golfing. Go fishing. Take a walk. Do what you need to do, but learn to regulate your own emotions in a healthy and spiritual way.

2. Encourage Consistently

“As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” (Proverbs 25:25)

A timely word of encouragement can refresh a weary leader the way cold water refreshes a thirsty soul.

One of the simplest ways to lighten your pastor’s load is to become a steady source of encouragement. It is sobering to realize that almost every week, your pastor is dealing with some kind of discouraging situation. The list never ends: people issues, spiritual burdens, financial pressures, facility problems, criticism, difficult decisions, and the emotional needs of others.

Encouraging your pastor is not just about saying nice words. Often, one of the most encouraging things you can do is regularly communicate that you are doing well, you are happy, and you are with him in the battle.

Promote what he is promoting. Think about what he is thinking about. Do not allow him to be the only voice carrying the burden. Take what is on his heart and run with it.

When your pastor forgets to say good job, it is usually not because he does not value you. It is often because he is carrying weightier things than you can see that day. A staff member who can assume the best and stay supportive is a rare gift.

Encouragement can be simple: a quick text, a handwritten note, a word after service, or a comment that says, Pastor, thank you. That helped me. I’m praying for you. In addition to all of these, do not underestimate the power of your family being a blessing too. When your home speaks well of your pastor and your kids respect him, that strengthens the relationship more than you may realize.

3. Engage Consistently

“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:” (Colossians 3:22)

This reminds us that ministry is not about appearances. It is about faithfulness before God, even when no one is watching.

A lot of ministry does not happen on the platform or during the service. It happens in the in between moments: before church, after church, in the lobby, in the parking lot, and in the moments when a visitor is trying to figure out where to go and whether anyone notices them.

If you are serving on staff and you are sliding in late and leaving immediately, you may still be busy, but you are missing one of the most important aspects of ministry.

This is a big one: Are you engaged before and after church?

There is a window about 45 minutes before and after church that is vital to the ministry. That is when guests arrive unsure where to go. That is when members show up carrying burdens. That is when problems surface. That is when visitors decide if they will ever come back.

Engage consistently. Be around. Walk the property. Greet people. Make eye contact. Help volunteers. Notice the obvious things: bathrooms, signage, clutter, and little distractions that can become big impressions. Be a problem solver.

Your pastor should be focused on preaching and shepherding, not fixing small issues because nobody else was paying attention.

4. Evangelize Consistently

“For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.” (Philippians 2:20)

Pastors need staff who genuinely care about people, not just programs. They need people who are personally involved in reaching others.

We live in a day where being on staff can quietly turn into platform and program work: singing, preaching, content, graphics, events, and administration. All of that can be valuable, but the church does not move forward just because the stage looks good.

A staff member should be actively involved in reaching people, following up with people, and helping them take their next spiritual step.

If you want a gut check, ask yourself: Do I have prospects right now? Am I following up? When is the last time I personally brought someone with me? When is the last time I helped someone take a real next step, such as salvation, baptism, discipleship, or faithful church involvement?

When staff members are bringing people, following up, discipling, and seeing fruit, it gives the whole ministry momentum. It also gives your pastor great encouragement.

5. Execute Consistently

“Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6)

Faithfulness is rare, and talk is easy. That is why the staff member who consistently follows through becomes invaluable.

This one is simple, and it may sound harsh: get things done.

In a busy and distracted world, it is vital that we as staff members lock in and do our job.

Inconsistency drains leadership. It creates extra meetings, extra reminders, and extra stress. A staff member can be talented and still be a burden if he does not follow through.

Most of the time, execution issues are not a lack of ability. They are usually the result of distraction, disengagement, or discouragement.

This is why it is so important to guard your spirit against the validation trap: pulling back because you do not feel valued, appreciated, included, or in charge.

Beware of thoughts like, “I am just a cog in the system here. My voice does not matter. I do not have any say.”

More than likely, that is not true.

You can take your ideas to your leader. You can learn to communicate better. You can improve, adjust, and have vision within your lane. Take what you have been given and build it.

Guard against discouragement and disengagement. Take ownership of what has been entrusted to you. Deliver week after week.

A faithful staff member becomes someone a pastor can put weight on.

Closing Thought

Proverbs 25:19 paints the picture plainly: nobody wants to be the broken tooth or the foot out of joint.

No pastor wants to go into the battle unsure of whether the people around him can carry weight. He needs staff members who are steady, supportive, engaged, soul conscious, and faithful to execute.

By God’s grace, we can become staff members our pastor can trust when we:

Show emotional consistency.

Encourage consistently.

Engage consistently.

Evangelize consistently.

Execute consistently.

Category

Ministry Leadership

Ministry Resources

Founded On Faith

Dr. Paul Chappell

Wisdom from the Word

Dr. Paul Chappell

Sacrifice Deserves Stewardship

Dr. Paul Chappell — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 16:27:51 +0000

Sacrifice Deserves Stewardship Dr. Paul Chappell Fri, 06/26/2026 - 09:27

In September of 1776, a young schoolteacher named Nathan Hale stood on the edge of eternity. Captured by the British as a spy during the early days of the Revolutionary War, he knew his fate was sealed. At just twenty-one years old, he was about to give his life for a country that was even younger than he was.

His final words have echoed through American history: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

Those words reflect a kind of patriotism that is both rare and noble. Nathan Hale believed preserving liberty for others was worth his own life.

And Hale was not alone. America has a long heritage of men and women who have been willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for our country and to preserve the freedoms we hold dear.

From the earliest days of our nation, liberty has been purchased at great cost. There were those who left everything behind in search of religious liberty. There were those who pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to establish a new nation. And there have been countless men and women since who have given what Lincoln called “the last full measure of devotion” to preserve our freedom.

These were real people with real families, real hopes, and real futures. They did not sacrifice in the abstract. They laid down their lives so others might live in freedom.

That sacrifice demands our gratitude. And it demands our stewardship.

We have inherited freedoms that were purchased at great cost. But freedom is not sustained by indifference, nor is it preserved by convenience. The liberties we enjoy today were entrusted to us by those who valued them enough to suffer and sacrifice for them.

As Christians, we should recognize that the freedoms we enjoy are trusts to steward for the glory of God.

We steward our freedom when we remember its cost.

Memorial Day is more than a holiday weekend. It is a summons to gratitude. We should teach our children that freedom was not created in comfort and is not preserved by ease. A people who forget sacrifice will eventually take liberty for granted.

A people who forget sacrifice will eventually take liberty for granted. SHARE ON X

We steward our freedom when we pray for our nation.

America’s deepest needs are not merely political or economic; they are spiritual. We should pray for revival, for wisdom for our leaders, for courage among believers, and for a renewed national turning to God. God promises, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

We steward our freedom when we proclaim the gospel.

The freedom to preach Christ is one of the greatest liberties we possess. We should not waste it.

Jesus came to give a freedom greater than political liberty—freedom from sin, guilt, and eternal separation from God. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). The best use of our national freedom is to proclaim eternal freedom in Christ.

The best use of our national freedom is to proclaim eternal freedom in Christ. SHARE ON X

We steward our freedom when we live as faithful witnesses.

Christians should be known for integrity, compassion, moral courage, strong families, faithful churches, and love for their neighbors. Our lives should demonstrate that the gospel we proclaim is true and transforming. We should live as people who are “without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).

We steward our freedom when we train the next generation.

Ronald Reagan famously warned, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

Nothing precious is automatic. Truth is not passed on by accident. Neither is gratitude. If we do not teach our children the cost of liberty, the historical foundations of our nation, and the truth of God’s Word, someone else will teach them a different story. We must intentionally pass on both biblical conviction and a grateful understanding of the heritage we have received.

If we do not teach our children the cost of liberty, the historical foundations of our nation, and the truth of God’s Word, someone else will teach them a different story. SHARE ON X

We steward our freedom when we stand without compromise.

There will always be pressure to soften truth, remain silent, or conform to the spirit of the age. But freedom must be used with courage. When culture or government conflicts with God’s Word, our answer must be the answer of the apostles: “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

Freedom Isn’t Free

We may never be called to give our lives as Nathan Hale did. But we are called to recognize the cost of what we have received and to live in a way that honors it.

As American citizens, we are called to value freedom, protect it, and use it for what is right.

And above all, we are called to steward the freedoms God has allowed us to enjoy for the advancement of the gospel.

Additional Note: The story of Nathan Hale is included in my new book, Founded on Faith. In a time when many are rewriting the past and questioning the principles that made our nation strong, this short, inspiring read tells the true story of America’s founding, highlights the biblical foundations that shaped this country, and encourages us to stand for freedom in our day. I hope you’ll read it and share it throughout this summer, as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

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Current Events

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Founded On Faith

Dr. Paul Chappell

Wisdom from the Word

Dr. Paul Chappell

Ten Steps for Preparing Christ-Centered, Text-Driven Sermons

Dr. Paul Chappell — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 23:52:50 +0000

Ten Steps for Preparing Christ-Centered, Text-Driven Sermons Dr. Paul Chappell Thu, 06/11/2026 - 16:52

After forty years of pastoral ministry, I remain convinced that the greatest need in any local church is biblical, Christ-exalting preaching. Programs matter, planning matters, and leadership matters; but nothing shapes a congregation more deeply than what happens when the Word of God is opened and Christ is proclaimed.

Paul’s charge to Timothy makes this plain: “Preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2). He didn’t instruct Timothy to offer opinions or cultural analysis. He instructed him to preach Scripture.

Biblical, expository preaching simply means allowing the message of the text to set the message of the sermon. The church does not thrive on the creativity of the pastor but on the clarity of the Scriptures. God blesses His Word—not our cleverness.

As Dr. John Goetsch wrote in his tremendous book, Homiletics from the Heart, “God may bless our homiletical outline, our illustrations and stories, but He does not promise to do so. He only promises to bless His Word.”

Biblical preaching begins by standing under the authority of Scripture and letting the passage itself determine both the substance and the structure of the sermon.

But biblical preaching does more than explain the text. It points us to Christ, because Scripture itself is Christ-centered. Jesus said of the Scriptures, “They are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). And on the road to Emmaus, “beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).

When we faithfully preach the Bible, we inevitably preach Christ. “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord” (2 Corinthians 4:5).

As I have taught on preaching over the years, including to students at West Coast Baptist College, I have worked to summarize the process of developing sermons that are faithful to the text and focused on Christ. The steps below are not a formula but a roadmap. I pray they encourage and strengthen your ministry of the Word.

1. Prayerfully Select the Text

The most important aspect of any sermon is the text of Scripture. Beyond anything we say, God’s Word alone has power to change lives. So begin by prayerfully asking the Lord to direct you to the passage His flock needs.

A few times a year, I set aside time to seek the Lord about upcoming sermons. Typically, I preach a themed series on Sunday mornings and a verse-by-verse study on Sunday nights. Midweek studies vary. Expository book studies make weekly text selection simple, while themed series allow me to plan several messages at once.

Planning never replaces sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Even with a schedule in place, I remain open to the Lord leading me to adjust a text according to the needs of our church family.

Above all, treat the text with reverence. G. Campbell Morgan said he read his text at least fifty times before preaching it.

2. Schedule Sufficient Time for Study

Nothing meaningful in preaching happens accidentally. Study takes protected, prioritized time. Spurgeon wrote, “Your pulpit preparations are your first business.”

Give your best hours to your study. Dr. W. A. Criswell called his early hours “mornings to God.” Whether your strongest hours are early mornings, late evenings, or uninterrupted afternoons, devote them to hearing from the Lord through His Word.

Interruptions will come. rises will arise. But a pastor who routinely prepares sermons at the last minute cheats his congregation of a well-studied message—and forfeits the clarity that comes through lingering in the Scriptures.

3. Study the Context and Historical Setting

A text cannot mean something today that it did not mean when it was first inspired. Before outlining or applying, understand the book, paragraph, genre, and historical moment surrounding the passage.

Helpful questions include:

Who is speaking, and to whom?
What issues frame this passage?
When was it written, and who was the dominant governmental leader?
What historical or cultural details matter?
How does this text fit within the message of the book?

Good expository preaching begins by entering the world of the text.

4. Discern the Theme of the Passage

After understanding the context, determine the passage’s central message. This is not something we impose on the text, but something we discover in the text.

Look for:

Repeated words or ideas
Commands, promises, contrasts, transitions
Grammar and structure (subject, verb, modifiers)
Tone: warning, prophetic, comforting, edifying

The clearer the central idea becomes, the clearer the sermon will be.

5. Develop Main Thoughts from the Passage

Every passage has a central idea, but most also contain several supporting truths. These natural divisions form the main points of your sermon. J. C. Ryle observed, “If you study the sermons of men who have been and are successful preachers, you will always find order, and often divisions, in their sermons.”

Once these divisions become clear, shape your outline around them. Alliteration or parallel phrasing can make a sermon more memorable, but they should never be forced onto a text.

A good outline is not decorative; it is functional. It helps the preacher and the listener follow the flow of God’s Word with clarity and conviction.

6. Show How the Passage Exalts Christ

All Scripture points to Christ—not by artificial insertion, but by divine design. Whether through prophecy, typology, doctrine, or application, the entire Bible presents Christ as the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan and the center of the Christian life.

As mentioned earlier, expository preaching is Christ-exalting preaching because the Bible itself is Christ-centered revelation.

This means that to interpret a text accurately, you must consider how this passage points to Christ.

In an Old Testament narrative, Christ may be seen in God’s covenant faithfulness, redemptive foreshadowing, or human need for a Savior.
In a Psalm, Christ may appear in fulfilled prophecy, the expression of His attributes, or in how He leads His people through suffering.
In a doctrinal section of an epistle, Christ is explicit—His work on the cross, His resurrection, His lordship, and His grace that empowers obedience.
In passages addressing Christian living, Christ is our example, our power, and our motivation for holy living.

The goal is not to “force” Jesus into the sermon but to show how the truth of the text finds its ultimate meaning in Him. “…that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18).

7. Find the Application

Once the central idea is clear, ask:

What truth is God impressing on His people?
What response does this text call for—repentance, faith, obedience, worship?
How should this reshape our thinking, affections, or actions?

Biblical application is specific truth producing specific action. A clear sermon purpose answers this question: What should God’s people do in response to what God has said?

8. Add Helpful Illustrations

Illustrations let light into the sermon, helping listeners see truth clearly. Without them, even strong exposition can become dense and out of reach.

Purposeful illustrations—stories, testimonies, historical examples, personal experiences—give the mind space and the heart clarity. They don’t replace truth; they serve it.

Maintaining a simple filing system of illustrations can provide rich material when crafting a message. Their value lies not in entertainment but in how effectively they illuminate the text.

9. Develop an Introduction and Conclusion

A strong introduction arouses interest and directs attention toward the text. This opening “hook” might be a compelling historical story, a thought-provoking question, or a concise statement that highlights why the passage matters. Whatever form it takes, the introduction should prepare the listener to engage with Scripture.

The conclusion is equally vital. Many good sermons lose their force because of an unfocused ending. The conclusion brings the message back to its central idea and calls the listener to respond. You might briefly recap the main points or focus on one key application. Preach toward a response. Call God’s people to action, faith, obedience, or worship.

10. Edit and Refine the Message

Finishing the conclusion isn’t the end. Careful review and editing bring the message to final clarity. Tighten transitions, eliminate rabbit trails, and ensure that every part of the sermon supports the central truth of the passage and points to Christ.

One of the goals in editing is to purge the message of self and ensure that it is centered on Christ. Galatians 6:14 guides my heart in this phase: “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

A Final Exhortation

Preaching is hard work, but it is holy work. God has entrusted us with the stewardship of His Word, and faithfulness demands diligence.

Scripture repeatedly urges ministers not only to preach but to cultivate their calling: “Neglect not the gift that is in thee” (1 Timothy 4:14). “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them” (1 Timothy 4:15). In other words: develop the call God has given you. Strengthen it. Practice it. Grow in it.

When preaching is driven by the text and centered on Christ, the church is fed, hearts are changed, and Christ is exalted.

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Pastoral Leadership

Ministry Resources

Wisdom from the Word

Dr. Paul Chappell

Focus

Dr. Paul Chappell

Equipping the Next Generation to Change the World

Dr. Jim Schettler — Mon, 18 May 2026 17:38:53 +0000

Equipping the Next Generation to Change the World Dr. Jim Schettler Mon, 05/18/2026 - 10:38

I have never been more encouraged about young people than I am of this generation in youth groups today. As I preach in summer camps, teen retreats, Christian school chapels, and evangelistic youth events, I’m moved at the enormous potential this generation possesses to change the world.

It’s always easy to look at young people and see their inadequacies. But the truth is, God can use this next generation in spite of their youth, inexperience, or lack of ability. They don’t know everything, but neither did David, Daniel, or Josiah. Age has never limited God’s power to work through a yielded heart.

But I believe God is going to use today’s young people because of what this generation uniquely possesses—their faith, their humility, and their honesty. They believe God can do great things. They respond tenderly to His Word. They’re searching for what’s real and genuine, not another performance or program. Like Josiah, they have a heart that is sensitive to truth and ready to obey it.

That’s why I believe God can do something special through this generation. The question for youth leaders is: How do we help them?

1. Provide Encouragement

Young people need leaders who believe in them. When God called Gideon a “mighty man of valour” (Judges 6:12), Gideon certainly didn’t feel like one. But God saw what Gideon could become. That’s the kind of vision youth leaders must have.

Your encouragement gives teens confidence that God can use them. Speak faith into their lives. Remind them that the same God who used Joseph in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon can use them today. See something in them that they don’t yet see in themselves.

Faith-filled encouragement can turn insecurity into confidence and doubt into direction.

2. Provide Instruction

Encouragement is vital, but it’s not enough. If we want this generation to change the world, we must equip them with God’s Word.

Paul told Timothy that Scripture is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). That phrase “instruction in righteousness” is key for youth ministry. Young people need spelled out instruction on what it means to live a godly life in the many challenges of this culture. They don’t just need you to tell them what to do; they need you to show them, from Scripture, how to live it out.

True equipping means giving young people more than general truth; it means giving them specific truth for the specific battles they face.

We can’t just tell a teen, “Stop being depressed.” We must show them from Scripture how to think biblically about hope and joy. We can’t simply say, “Stand for truth.” We must give them verses, principles, and steps that show them how to do it.

For example, a question I’m often asked by teens is “What do I say to friends who claim to be Christian but claim to be trans?” I usually begin by showing them Psalm 100:3: “It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves.” I’ll tell them that they can tell their friend, “You’ll make thousands of choices in your life, but one choice you’ll never make is your gender. God has already determined that.”

Equipping means showing them what the tool is (the Word of God) and how to use it. It’s training them through discussion, role-play, and application so they know how to handle real-world questions and struggles with biblical confidence.

When teens leave your youth Bible study or weekly meeting, they should walk away holding something solid—specific truths that address the real issues they face and a clear plan of action for how to use those truths in daily life.

3. Provide an Example

The most lasting lesson you’ll ever teach your youth group is the life you live before them.

Be an example in your home. Love your wife. Cherish your kids. Let your students see a joyful, godly marriage and a home filled with grace and truth. When they watch you, they should think, That’s the kind of family I want someday.

Be an example in your attitude. Psalm 100:2 says, “Serve the Lord with gladness.” If you don’t serve with joy, you’re not helping the cause of Christ—you’re hindering it. Your spirit will either draw young people closer to Christ or drive them away. They’ll follow someone who serves with gladness long before they’ll follow someone who serves out of obligation.

And be an example in your walk with God. Every teen in your group should know that the most important thing in your life is your personal walk with the Lord. And they should see a consistent Christian testimony that flows from that walk.

God Is Able

If you believe God is able, lead like it. Encourage your teens by believing in them. Equip them with truth that meets their real struggles. And live as the example they need to see.

God is raising up a generation that can change the world. Let’s make sure we’re the kind of leaders who help them do it.

Dr. Jim Schettler serves as an instructor at West Coast Baptist College, teaching classes in Bible, Youth Ministry, and Counseling.

This article originally appeared in Issue 39 of the Baptist Voice. To read the full digital edition, click here.

Category

Student Ministry

Ministry Resources

Focus

Dr. Paul Chappell

Wisdom from the Word

Dr. Paul Chappell

Relationships That Grow a Healthy Small Group

Gabriel Ruhl — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:09:42 +0000

Relationships That Grow a Healthy Small Group Gabriel Ruhl Thu, 04/30/2026 - 14:09

Every healthy church has systems and structures, but what is sometimes overlooked by leaders is the necessity of nurtured relationships. Simply put, churches grow stronger when relationships grow deeper.

The early believers “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship” (Acts 2:42). That word fellowship—koinonia in Greek—means sharing life together: participating, praying, serving, and encouraging one another in faith. True koinonia doesn’t happen by accident; it requires time, trust, and intentional love.

And one of the best places for those relationships to flourish is within the small groups of a local church. Whether you are a small group leader or a group member, you can invest in the relationships that help people grow.

Friendship: Be Present and Genuine

No matter the size of your church or small group, I believe that all people in it long to have a consistent friend who loves them, believes in them, and is continually there for them no matter the circumstances. Smaller groups naturally produce a less formal atmosphere, making them a tremendous place to foster friendships.

Often, the moments when a friend is most valued are the same moments that it is most inconvenient to be a present friend. Ask the Lord to guide you as you show up for others in ways that reflect Christ’s love.

Simple actions like remembering a prayer request and reaching out to follow up during the week or acknowledging birthdays can go a long way toward showing genuine care. A quick text to say, “I prayed for you today,” or a handwritten note after someone shares a burden, often means more than you know. Take time to sit with someone new at a church fellowship, send an encouraging verse before Sunday, or invite another family to join yours for lunch after church. When someone misses a group meeting, check in to let them know they’re missed. Even small gestures—dropping off a meal or celebrating answered prayer—build trust and communicate that relationships in your group are more than surface-level. Little acts of thoughtfulness grow lasting friendships.

Mentoring: Invite and Include Others

Every Christian can mentor. Mentoring happens when you simply invite others to join you in what you are already doing for the Lord. As you serve, go soulwinning, or participate in outreach, invite others along. People grow when they are included. You’ll be amazed at how relationships deepen when you make room for others to walk beside you in ministry.

A great rule for every small group leader or Christian who wants to invest in others to live by is this: “Don’t do something alone that you could be doing with someone from your group.” Look for ways to invest in others.

Are you wondering who to invite? Look around the next time your group meets and ask, “Who isn’t yet involved?” Who hasn’t joined weekly outreach, ministry, or group activities? Then walk over and personally invite that person to serve or come alongside you.

Edifying: Build Up, Don’t Tear Down

Choose to believe the best about people. Try to see them as they could be, not as they are. People are more apt to change when someone believes in them than when they are constantly corrected. I’ve often heard it said, “Acceptance is the optimum environment for growth.”

It’s true that there are difficult people. Perhaps you have heard of people who are EGRs—Extra Grace Required! But the truth is, God will give that extra grace. And if we’re honest, we all need extra grace from others at times too.

If you are a group leader, there will be times when valuing a relationship requires difficult conversations. When a problem or sin issue arises, you must confront it with wisdom. But you must also keep the relationship in mind with a goal of restoration. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness” (Galatians 6:1).

You can’t secretly look down on someone and build them up at the same time. Work to unconditionally love people. Of course, this is only possible through the strength of the Holy Spirit as we strive to be Christlike in our relationships.

Accountability: Encourage Growth with Grace

Friendship and encouragement are vital, but spiritual relationships also require accountability. Be aware of others’ attendance and consistency. Are you a friend who encourages spiritual growth in others? A faithful friend notices when someone is struggling and lovingly reaches out.

This is primarily a small-group leader’s responsibility, but anyone can encourage others to take their next step for Christ. Whether it’s baptism, joining the church, or serving in ministry, we can all lovingly challenge one another to grow in grace. “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” (Galatians 4:19).

Relationships that combine warmth with accountability help others take the next step in their walk with God.

Relationships That Reflect Christ

Healthy small groups need more than great programs and well-developed lessons; they need strong relationships. Friendship, mentoring, edifying, and accountability all reflect the koinonia of the early church. As you intentionally invest in these kinds of relationships, your small group will not only grow stronger but will also reflect the love and grace of Christ.

This article originally appeared in Issue 39 of the Baptist Voice. To read the full digital edition, click here.

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Ministry Leadership

Ministry Resources

Focus

Dr. Paul Chappell

Wisdom from the Word

Dr. Paul Chappell

Stewarding Ministry for the Future

Dr. Paul Chappell — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:06:02 +0000

Stewarding Ministry for the Future Dr. Paul Chappell Wed, 04/29/2026 - 10:06

For forty years, the Lord has allowed me the privilege of serving as pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church. Through every season, my desire has been simple—to faithfully preach the gospel, strengthen the local church, and help shine the light of Christ from this place to our community and around the world.

As I have entered my mid-sixties, the Lord has burdened my heart with the stewardship of ministry and the future of this work. Ministry is never something we own; it is something we are entrusted to steward. We are undershepherds serving under the Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. The church belongs to Him. As a pastor, my role is to oversee and feed His flock, “which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).

Ministry is never something we own; it is something we are entrusted to steward. SHARE ON X

Because of that, local church leadership must always be approached with a stewardship mentality. A pastor must not only ask, “How do I serve faithfully today?” but also, “How do I ensure this work remains strong for the next generation?”

With stewardship as a mindset, I have, over the past months, been working together with our deacons and church family to establish a co-pastor role at Lancaster Baptist Church. Having a co-pastor will allow me to intentionally share responsibilities and train another for the future leadership here at Lancaster Baptist. This, of course, will take time, but will ultimately lead to pastoral succession, at which time I will continue to lead West Coast Baptist College as president.

This past Sunday evening, after the unanimous recommendation of our deacons, our church family voted overwhelmingly to call our Executive Pastor, Larry Chappell, to serve as co-pastor of this church. I appreciate Larry’s convictions for truth, his love for our church, and his compassion for souls. I will continue serving as Senior Pastor, while this new role allows us to strengthen leadership and prepare wisely for the future of this ministry. (To learn more about this process and see some of the candid conversations leading up to it, visit lancasterbaptist.org/co-pastor-process.)

Throughout Scripture, we see a pattern of stewarding leaders preparing for the future by training others and sharing ministry. Moses invested in Joshua. Paul invested in Timothy.

Leadership is always a stewardship, and Christian leaders in any context—especially in the local church—should look beyond their immediate responsibilities to invest in the next generation.

So how do godly leaders steward their responsibility to train others well? What does stewardship-minded leadership look like?

I believe stewarding leaders serve in five important ways:

Stewarding Leaders Serve with Humility

Humility is an essential trait for Christian growth. But it’s especially vital for leaders to cultivate. Leadership is not about position, control, or personal ambition. It is about faithfully serving under Christ’s authority.

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:2–3)

Seasons of leadership development or transition should be marked by humility, prayer, and dependence on the Lord. We are not building our own kingdom; we are serving His.

Stewarding Leaders Invest in the Next Generation

There is no success without a successor. Biblical leadership always looks beyond itself.

There is no success without a successor. SHARE ON X

Moses prepared Joshua. Elijah prepared Elisha. Paul prepared Timothy. A faithful leader does not simply carry the work; he helps prepare others to carry it forward.

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)

One of the blessings of ministry is the opportunity to invest in younger leaders and to help them grow in conviction, wisdom, and practical ministry leadership. Stewarding leaders think in terms of creating opportunities for intentional mentoring, shared leadership, and hands-on preparation for the future.

Stewarding Leaders Plan Before Crisis Comes

Wise leaders do not wait for uncertainty to force decisions. They prepare prayerfully, deliberately, and transparently.

Too many churches wait until a moment of crisis to think about leadership transition. By then, uncertainty can create confusion and instability. Faithful stewardship involves planning ahead—not because change is immediate, but because preparation is wise.

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. (Proverbs 22:3)

In our case, this co-pastor process has developed over years through prayer, counsel, and conversations with our deacons and church family. It is not a reaction to pressure; it is an effort to strengthen the church for the years ahead.

The goal is not speed. The goal is clarity, unity, and readiness.

Stewarding Leaders Protect the Mission

Leadership planning is never about organizational preservation alone. It is about gospel continuation.

Leadership planning is never about organizational preservation alone. It is about gospel continuation. SHARE ON X

The mission of Lancaster Baptist Church remains unchanged: preach the gospel, disciple believers, support missionaries, and fulfill the Great Commission. Everything else serves that purpose.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19–20)

In every season of ministry, the main work remains the same. Souls still need Christ. Believers still need discipleship. Missionaries still need support. The church must continue moving forward.

Stewarding Leaders Strengthen Commitment

Moments of leadership development should not loosen our stakes; they should deepen them.

Thirty-five years ago, in 1991, our church’s annual theme was “Stake Your Claim.” We challenged our people to lengthen the cords and strengthen the stakes—to put their roots deeply into the work God had called us to do together.

Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; (Isaiah 54:2)

All of us have a natural tendency to drift in our devotion to the Lord and in our commitment to His work. Stewardship-minded leaders recognize that tendency and encourage God’s people to remain steadfast—not in loyalty to a single leader, but in faithfulness to Christ through every season, including seasons of transition. In our case, that faithfulness also includes a renewed commitment to our local church, Lancaster Baptist Church.

The Heart of Stewardship

Faithful, stewarding leaders serve with humility, invest in others, plan wisely, protect the mission, and strengthen commitment. They understand that ministry is not measured only by what is built in one season, but by what is strengthened for the next.

Ministry is not measured only by what is built in one season, but by what is strengthened for the next. SHARE ON X

I thank the Lord for what He has done at Lancaster Baptist Church over these forty years, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving in this season of ministry. My prayer is that the gospel would continue to go forward, that strong leaders would be raised up for the next generation, and that the work of Christ would remain strong for generations to come, or until Christ returns. Please pray for Pastor Larry Chappell and our entire leadership team as we reach forward in this season.

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Pastoral Leadership

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Dr. Paul Chappell

Wisdom from the Word

Dr. Paul Chappell

The Pastor’s Toolbox

Dr. R. B. Ouellette — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:46:15 +0000

The Pastor’s Toolbox Dr. R. B. Ouellette Fri, 04/17/2026 - 14:46

Leading with Faith Through Financial Challenges

Pastors often preach that God is able to meet our needs. But sometimes the greatest test of that belief comes when finances are tight.

When I was a young married man, I saved nothing. I tithed, gave an offering, and spent the rest. I often joked, “God pays better interest than the Second National Bank.” If we had a few extra dollars after paying bills, I’d take my wife Krisy out to eat. I was making car payments and carrying credit card debt equal to nearly a month’s salary.

Then one day, two verses from Proverbs changed my thinking—and my life:

“There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up” (Proverbs 21:20).

“A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just” (Proverbs 13:22).

Those verses taught me two simple but life-changing truths:

First, the reason I didn’t have any money was because I spent it all.

That may not sound profound, but it was revolutionary to me. No one can save anything unless they spend less than they make. While God is able to meet our needs, He expects us to steward wisely what He provides.

Second, I realized I could be neither wise nor good if I left nothing behind for the next generation.

My father-in-law, a financially prudent man, gave me advice that changed the way I handled money. He told me to make double payments on my smallest bill until it was paid off, then apply that amount to the next smallest bill, and so on until I was debt free. (He taught me this over fifty years ago, long before I ever heard it called “the snowball method.”)

As I began following biblical principles and my father-in-law’s counsel, I also started teaching our congregation what I was learning. I encouraged our members to avoid debt for items that don’t appreciate in value. I wanted them to be financially strong for their own families, not just so our church could be debt free. Financially weak members seldom make a financially strong church.

When I counseled individuals who were struggling financially, I used a simple system that was almost always successful: worked:

Gather the facts. We listed every bill, expense, and source of income.
Track every payment. I had them keep a notebook with one page per expense—like a checkbook ledger—with columns for date, deposit, withdrawal, and balance.
Divide and set aside. We divided monthly expenses by four and set that amount aside weekly.
Withdraw for payments. When a bill came due, they withdrew from that specific account.
Limit discretionary spending. Whatever was left after all “deposits” was their only spending money for the week.
Build a surplus. Since there are fifty-two weeks in a year, setting aside money weekly meant that four times a year they “overpaid” their expenses—creating a small cushion for emergencies.
Adjust if necessary. If income truly wasn’t sufficient, we discussed a temporary consolidation loan or additional income sources.

In forty-four years of pastoring, I only had one family I couldn’t help. When we went over their finances, I said, “You’re giving too much.”

They smiled and said, “No, that’s just what it comes to—our tithe, our missions, and our building fund offering.”

“Are you sure God wants you to give that much?” I asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

“Well then,” I said, “I can’t help you—but you’ll be all right.”

And they were. Not long after, they purchased a nicer home. Later, the husband started a business. Today they’re financially stable and still generous to the Lord, who continues to bless them.

That family reminded me of something I’ve seen again and again: God is able—able to meet our needs, to give wisdom when finances are tight, and to bless those who honor Him with their resources. Wise stewardship doesn’t limit God’s provision; it positions us to see it.

This article originally appeared in Issue 39 of the Baptist Voice. To read the full digital edition, click here:

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Pastoral Leadership

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Order in the Church

Dr. Paul Chappell

Focus

Dr. Paul Chappell

Four Priorities for Cohesive Teams

Larry Chappell — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:27:20 +0000

Four Priorities for Cohesive Teams Larry Chappell Thu, 04/09/2026 - 13:27

What makes a team great?

For some teams, it’s easy to name. The 1990s Chicago Bulls found their identity in the triangle offense that revolutionized basketball. The 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers built their dynasty on the “Steel Curtain” defense. The early-2000s New England Patriots became known for their adaptability and discipline. The 2010s Golden State Warriors transformed the game with their precision and teamwork from beyond the arc.

Each of those teams was unified by a shared system or mindset that shaped everything they did. Their greatness wasn’t accidental; it flowed from cohesion around clear priorities.

So what makes a ministry team great?

Romans 12 provides the answer. This chapter lays the biblical foundation for true spiritual cohesion. It reminds us that lasting unity doesn’t come from charisma or talent, but from a shared devotion to Christ and a commitment to live out His priorities together. These priorities form the heart of every cohesive team.

1. Pursue a Personal Walk with God

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

Romans 12 begins not with a strategy for ministry but with a call to surrender. That’s because the starting point of every great ministry team is personal devotion. When each member of a ministry team is walking in fellowship with Him, unity becomes the natural overflow of shared obedience.

Before we can lead others spiritually, we must nurture our own spiritual health. It’s easy in ministry to replace intimacy with activity, to assume that because we’re serving, we’re growing. But God doesn’t bless who we pretend to be; He blesses who we truly are before Him.

A personal walk with God demands intentional focus. It requires guarding time to spend with God in prayer and Scripture.

When we pursue a personal walk with God, we bring something vital to the team: a life aligned with His purposes. A healthy staff culture doesn’t begin with policies or programs; it begins with people whose private devotion fuels their public ministry.

2. Practice Humility over Ego

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think” (Romans 12:3).

If devotion is the foundation of teamwork, humility is the glue. Pride destroys collaboration; humility fuels it. Paul warns that self-importance has no place in ministry. True humility recognizes both our limitations and the unique strengths of others.

Pride says, My idea, my agenda, my contribution. Humility says, Our mission, our gifts, God’s glory. Pride kills team culture; humility cultivates it.

The book of Job reminds us that the real target of spiritual attack is not always our circumstances but our perspective. Satan sought to distort Job’s view of God. Likewise, the challenges of ministry test our humility and reveal our dependence.

A cohesive team requires leaders who think soberly, who value the insights of others, and who remain teachable.

3. Perform Your Role with Excellence

"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness" (Romans 12:6–8).

Romans 12:6–8 reminds us that every member of Christ’s body is gifted by grace to serve a unique purpose. Great teams succeed when each person knows their role and fulfills it faithfully. In ministry, that means serving wholeheartedly in the place God has assigned, using your gifts for His glory and the good of others.

Excellence in ministry is showing up prepared, dependable, and teachable. It’s bringing your best to the assignment God has given you and trusting others to do the same.

Joseph served under Pharaoh. Timothy served beside Paul. Both show that second place isn’t lesser value—it’s strategic support.

The strength of a cohesive team lies in people who understand that every role matters and that significance is found in service, not visibility.

When each person performs their role with excellence, the team thrives. Roles may differ, but the mission is one. Excellence unites what ego divides.

4. Protect the Culture of the Team

Romans 12:9–21 gives five characteristics of a protected culture:

A culture of love: “Let love be without dissimulation… be kindly affectioned one to another” (verses 9–10). Genuine love fosters trust and care within the team. It’s more than warmth; it’s commitment. Love chooses patience when opinions differ and kindness when tensions rise. When people truly love one another, unity follows naturally, and service becomes joyful instead of forced.

A culture of integrity: “Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good… not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (verses 10–11). Integrity means diligence, transparency, and consistency. It shows up in how we work, how we communicate, and how we follow through. Integrity doesn’t demand perfection, but it does require honesty. Teams that value truth over image create trust and advance God’s work unhindered.

A culture of honor: “…in honour preferring one another” (verse 10). Honor runs two ways: leaders give opportunity; followers give loyalty. When either side breaks that rhythm, trust erodes. Ministry is like looking through a two-way mirror—you only see your side until someone invites you behind the glass. Team members don’t always see the weight their leader carries, and leaders don’t always feel the burdens of those they lead. Honor bridges that gap through understanding, respect, and gratitude.

A culture of excellence and authenticity: “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer” (verse 12). Ministry brings both triumphs and trials, but cohesive teams stay steady through both. They pray, rejoice, and bear burdens together. Excellence without authenticity becomes performance; authenticity without excellence becomes apathy. Together, they form a culture where people serve wholeheartedly and grace fills every gap.

The Power of “Swing”

Cohesion isn’t automatic; it must be developed. Perhaps no sports story captures this more beautifully than that of the University of Washington rowing team, told by Daniel James Brown in his book The Boys in the Boat.

During the Great Depression, nine working-class young men—ordinary students from humble backgrounds—learned to row as one. They called it finding “the swing.” It’s that almost mystical rhythm when every oar moves in perfect harmony, the boat glides weightlessly, and the team feels unstoppable. Swing can’t be forced; it comes only through trust, timing, and unity.

Those boys went on to defeat Harvard and Yale and, in 1936, win Olympic gold before Adolf Hitler himself. They weren’t the most powerful or privileged. They were simply united.

That’s the kind of cohesion every ministry team should pursue. When hearts are aligned to please Christ, when egos yield to humility, when each member owns their role, and when everyone guards the team culture, something remarkable happens. Like those boys in the boat, we find our “swing.” United, we become unstoppable for God’s glory.

This article originally appeared in Issue 39 of the Baptist Voice. To read the full digital edition, click here:

Category

Ministry Leadership

Ministry Resources

Focus

Dr. Paul Chappell

Wisdom from the Word

Dr. Paul Chappell

What God Does in the Storm

Alan Fong — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 20:59:09 +0000

What God Does in the Storm Alan Fong Wed, 04/01/2026 - 13:59

Storms are not interruptions to ministry — they are instruments of it.

Every pastor, every leader, every servant of God will face seasons when the pressure rises, the path is unclear, and the weight feels overwhelming. But Scripture shows us something powerful: God does some of His greatest work in us — and through us — during the storm.

In Acts 27, the Apostle Paul is caught in a violent storm at sea. What unfolds is not just a survival story, but a leadership blueprint. God uses that storm to shape Paul in ways every leader needs to understand.

Here are six things God does in the storm.

1. God Establishes the Leader's Credibility

There are moments in ministry when you walk into a situation and feel completely inadequate.

A hospital room. A grieving family. A crisis you did not expect.

And then you are asked to pray.

You do not feel qualified — but the Holy Spirit shows up. God fills the room with His presence. People sense it. Sometimes lives are changed in that very moment.

That is what God does.

You do not need the credibility of a deacon board. You do not need somebody to write you a review or outsiders to vouch for you. What you need is to know that God has put His stamp of approval on your ministry. That is the only credibility that matters.

God uses storms to establish your credibility — not in the eyes of men, but through the power of His presence.

2. God Builds Courage in the Leader

Storms force leaders to stand.

Acts 27:21 says, "Paul stood forth in the midst of them." That is what storms do — they reveal who will stand.

Courage is not something you manufacture. It is something God builds in you through pressure, uncertainty, and fear. God uses storms to give us courage we did not have — or courage for a situation we did not anticipate He wanted to put us in.

When chaos hits a city, when fear grips people, when no one else knows what to do — God raises up men who will stand and speak. When Saul and his servant were searching for their donkeys, the servant said, "There is a man of God in this city." People need to know there is a man of God in our city.

God still calls men — men who surrender, men who have a heart for Him, men who are still praying and fasting, men with a burden for souls who want to reach their city. Storms are where that kind of courage is forged.

3. God Uses Leaders to Bring Comfort

In the middle of the storm, Paul says twice, "Be of good cheer."

That is remarkable, because he was in the same storm.

But that is the role of a leader. When everyone else is shaken, the leader speaks peace. When everyone else is afraid, the leader brings hope.

Jesus said, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." And now His leaders echo that same message. Maybe Paul's devotions that morning led him to John 16:33 — and the Lord spoke to him: Be of good cheer.

Words matter. Scripture says death and life are in the power of the tongue. In critical moments, one wrong word at the right time can discourage an entire room — but the right word can stabilize it. God places leaders in storms so they can give comfort to others.

4. God Develops Competence

Storms sharpen a leader.

Paul did not just speak emotionally — he spoke with clarity and conviction: "There shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship."

He knew what he was talking about.

Leaders must grow in competence: knowing God deeply, knowing Scripture accurately, being ready to give answers, and being honest when they do not know. The Bible says, "Be ready to give an answer to every man." We need to know what we are talking about. And when we do not know something, it is okay to admit it. We need to have ethics in the ministry.

Ships are replaceable. Cars are replaceable. Buildings are replaceable. People are not. Every time we are with a member, with somebody — we do not know how long they are going to be here.

Storms force leaders to rise to that level of competence and care.

5. God Builds the Leader's Confidence

One of the greatest outcomes of a storm is deeper confidence — confidence not in yourself, but in God.

Paul declared, "I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me." That is the anchor. That is what storms produce in a leader who stays the course.

Storms stretch your faith beyond what is comfortable. They push you into dependence on God in ways normal seasons never will. And here is something worth remembering: God is more attracted to our weaknesses than He is to our strengths. It is in those moments when we are weak that we realize we need greater faith.

If you want to get through the storm faster, start thanking God for it. Count it all joy. God sometimes builds our confidence for building programs, for sending missionaries out, for major decisions — through the very hardships we did not ask for.

Faith always has a companion, and that companion is obedience. "By faith, Noah obeyed." Maybe there is something God has told you that you are still being stubborn about. Storms have a way of dealing with that. They do not just build faith — they build the settled, deep-seated confidence that God will do what He said He would do.

6. God Makes Leaders Compelling

Before the storm, no one was listening to Paul.

During the storm, everyone was.

That is what God does. He shapes a leader in such a way that people begin to follow — not because of force, but because of spiritual authority.

Paul gave direction. Paul gave warning. Paul gave encouragement. When the soldiers wanted to lower the dinghy and escape, Paul told the centurion: if those men leave the ship, you will not make it. They cut the ropes. They listened to Paul.

For fourteen days nobody had eaten. Paul looked at them and said, "You need to take a little meat — you are weak." Who did they listen to? Paul. And he had a captive audience — and he led them in prayer.

Why? Because storms refine a leader's voice.

The Bigger Picture: Storms Have Purpose

The storm in Acts 27 was not random.

Paul thought he was just going to Rome. God had a stop planned in Malta — which means "honey." There, a church would be started. Lives would be changed. Doors would open. When Paul arrived, a man named Publius welcomed them — and his father was sick. Paul prayed for him. And that opened the door to the whole island. People came. He led them to Christ.

What looked like a delay was actually divine strategy. God does not make mistakes. Hardships are part of building a church.

And then you get to Acts 28 — another storm. Paul gets bitten by a viper and simply shakes it off into the fire. At some point, we need to shake off some of our worries and our concerns and just go on. God can be trusted.

Final Thought

We do not pray for storms.

But we need them.

Because often, the very thing we do not want is the very thing God uses most.

Our people are watching how we walk through the storm. And how we walk through it will determine how they walk through theirs. And that will determine the next level God takes all of us to.

So stand. Speak hope. Trust God.

And remember: storms are not interruptions to ministry — they are instruments of it.

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Ministry Leadership

Ministry Resources

Focus

Dr. Paul Chappell

Wisdom from the Word

Dr. Paul Chappell

Jesus Is Always Able

Jerry Ferrso — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:43:34 +0000

Jesus Is Always Able Jerry Ferrso Thu, 03/26/2026 - 09:43

Have you ever faced a situation that felt beyond fixing? A prodigal who won’t listen, a friend trapped in addiction, a heart weighed down by failure? We all encounter moments when it seems that nothing can change, no one can help, and no prayer will reach far enough.

But that’s when we remember this simple, powerful truth: Jesus is always able.

When Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee into the region of the Gadarenes, He went to a place most people avoided. It was associated with uncleanness, tombs, spiritual darkness, and fear. It was not the kind of place any respectable religious teacher would go. But Jesus wasn’t on a sightseeing trip; He was on a rescue mission. He crossed the sea in a storm to reach one man whom everyone else had written off.

That man lived among the tombs, naked, bleeding, tormented by demons. He cried out day and night, cutting himself with stones. The townspeople had tried to chain him, but no one could restrain him. Every human attempt to control or cure him had failed. Yet when Jesus arrived, everything changed.

Where man’s power stopped, Jesus’ power started. What no one else could do, Jesus did in a moment. The man fell before Christ, and the demons that had ruled his life for years were gone. When the people came to see what happened, they found him “sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind” (Mark 5:15). The man who once terrified the town became a living testimony of God’s grace.

That’s the story of Mark 5:1–20, but it’s also the story of many lives today. Our world is filled with people who may not live in tombs but do live in darkness. They are enslaved by sin, addictions, fears, and memories they can’t control. Some try to fix themselves with new routines or stronger chains, but no earthly solution can heal a spiritual problem. Only Jesus can.

The same Savior who delivered the “maniac of Gadara” is still delivering souls today, and He invites us to join Him in His redemptive work.

Let’s consider three principles from this powerful passage that remind us that Jesus is always able to reach the unreachable.

1. Sin and spiritual bondage destroy life, but Jesus is able to restore broken lives.

The man in Mark 5 wasn’t simply troubled; he was destroyed. Sin and Satan always promise freedom but end in bondage. The demoniac’s condition is a vivid picture of what sin does to every heart apart from Christ. It isolates, enslaves, and dehumanizes.

But Jesus came to restore what sin ruins. As He declared in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives….”

That’s still His mission today. Jesus is able to take a person whose life is shattered and make it whole again. He restores marriages, renews minds, and reclaims souls. Every believer reading this is living proof of that restoring power.

2. No power, addiction, trauma, or darkness is stronger than Jesus.

The people of Gadara had done everything they could to subdue the man, but nothing worked. That’s because they were trying to solve a spiritual problem with physical tools. Chains can restrain hands, but only Jesus can release a heart.

When Jesus spoke, the unclean spirits had no choice but to obey. Mark 1:27 says, “With authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.” Every evil power is subject to Him. Every dark force must flee at His command.

Sometimes we face battles that are overwhelming—addictions, fears, or strongholds that seem impossible to overcome. But remember this promise: “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Jesus doesn’t negotiate with evil; He conquers it. There is no chain He cannot break and no darkness He cannot dispel.

3. Once we come to Jesus, He is able to set us free and make us a testimony of His grace.

When the man was delivered, Jesus told him, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee” (Mark 5:19).

In one moment, the man who had been a terror became a preacher. He didn’t need to attend seminary or earn people’s respect before he began to share. His transformed life was his message.

That’s what Jesus does. He not only saves us from something; He saves us for something. He gives us a new identity and a new mission. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

The same Savior who crossed the sea to reach one tormented man is still reaching people today. And He invites you and me to join Him in that mission—to go to the places others avoid, to love those others fear, and to share the good news that Jesus is able.

No one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. No sin is too deep, no past too dark, and no heart too hard for Jesus to transform.

So when you see someone who seems unreachable, don’t give up. Pray. Love. Go. Because Jesus is still able—able to do the unbelievable, the unthinkable, and the unimaginable.

There is nothing too hard for Him. Jesus is always able. And because He is, we should always be willing to share the gospel with those in darkness.

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Christian Walk

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Wisdom from the Word

Dr. Paul Chappell

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Dr. Paul Chappell