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Photo of Pastor Michael McKinley.

Michael McKinley

Mike McKinley is the Lead Pastor at Sterling Park Baptist Church, near Washington, DC. In addition to his pastoral duties, Miked has authored roughly a dozen books.

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How Should Pastors Respond to Pride Month?

How should Christian pastors respond to Pride Month and the social revolution that it represents? We must equip our people to respond in ways consistent with the Bible’s description of the human condition.

Grass Dunes in Denmark. High quality photo

Cultivating a Thick Skin and Tender Heart as a Pastor

Pastors must resist the temptation to respond to the emotional and psychological stress of the ministry by being thin-skinned or hard-hearted. We can have thick skin and tender hearts by keeping our eyes focused on the Lord and his sacrificial love.

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Take Time to Explain Communion Clearly to the Church

The Lord’s Supper is a wonderful gift to the church. But many people in the pews don’t understand its meaning well or who is supposed to participate in the celebration. For that reason, pastors should make sure to explain Communion carefully to the churches that they serve.

Beautiful view of idyllic alpine mountain scenery with blooming meadows and snowcapped mountain peaks on a beautiful sunny day with blue sky in springtime.

Nine Blessings for Pastors in Ministry

God tends to give His best gifts in His own ways and in His own time, for His own glory. It pleases Him to reward patience, faithfulness, and trust. Whatever the trials and troubles of your ministry, remember to look at the blessings the Lord has allowed you to experience and the ones he promised you in the future.

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The One, Glorious Purpose of Marriage

It turns out that God created marriage for one glorious purpose – to illustrate the love relationship between the Lord Jesus and his church. If couples understood this, then most of the practical problems in marriage could be negotiated and managed successfully.

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Trust in the Lord in the New Year

Instead of living another year in that spiritual desert, the Lord invites us to trust in him and walk in his ways – the way of blessing.

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Advent: Coming to Suffer

Advent is a wonderful time to reflect on the kindness and love of the Lord–that God loved us enough to stoop to us, to become one of us, to take on our poverty and weakness in order to save us.

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How Churches Can Help People Find Freedom from Pornography

The church needs to help Christians understand the beauty and power of sex that is so compelling that we would never be satisfied by porn.

Pastor preaching in front of stained glass at his church.

The Ultimate Appreciation God Promises to Pastors

Pastors must not live for the approval and appreciation of their congregations. Whatever your congregation lacks in appreciation of you now will be more than made up for when you receive the Lord’s commendation.    

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Preparing the People of Your Church to Share the Gospel Effectively and Joyfully

Recently, Steve, a member of the congregation that I pastor, came to me to ask if I could meet with Ray, a friend of his from work. Steve had been praying for his friend, and some of their conversations made it seem like Ray would be willing to discuss …