by Stephen Hay | Feb 26, 2025 | Eternity, Spiritual Formation
This morning, as I opened Desiring God, a particular article caught my eye: “Everyone Is Everlasting — But Where?” It’s a stark reminder of a truth we often push to the margins—every single person we encounter, minister to, and love is eternal. The question isn’t if eternity exists; it’s where and how we will experience it.
As I read further, I found myself both challenged and encouraged. The reality of eternity isn’t just a theological concept—it’s the foundation upon which we should build our ministry, our message, and our daily lives.
Are We Teaching for the Here and Now or for Forever?
It’s easy to get caught up in the present. Ministry often demands immediate attention—comforting the hurting, addressing practical needs, and speaking into the struggles of daily life. These things matter. And yet, the article pressed me to consider: Are we also lifting our congregations’ eyes beyond today? Are we equipping them with a faith that reaches past the grave?
Too often, eternal truths are left in the shadows while earthly concerns take center stage. But our time here is brief, a mere vapor, compared to the everlasting life—or everlasting separation—that follows. That thought should sober us. It should stir us. It should shape how we lead and what we emphasize in our teaching.
The Holy Weight of Our Calling
One of the most striking aspects is this gentle yet urgent reminder: The way we live now is shaping our eternity. Every conversation, every sermon, and every quiet moment of discipleship is an opportunity to awaken hearts to the reality of what’s ahead.
Are we reminding people not just of the joy of eternal communion with Christ but also the gravity of eternity apart from Him? Are we cultivating in ourselves—and in others—a longing for the presence of God beyond this life? These are heavy questions, but they are necessary ones.
A Shift in Perspective
This isn’t about fear-mongering or overemphasizing one aspect of faith at the expense of another. Instead, it’s about wholeness. It’s about ensuring that we do not neglect the eternal in our efforts to shepherd well in the present. It’s about shifting our gaze—lifting our eyes upward and inviting others to do the same.
The hope of eternity should not be a distant afterthought but a vivid, guiding reality. When we view life through that lens, everything changes:
- Our urgency in sharing the Gospel deepens.
- Our compassion for those who are lost intensifies.
- Our joy in Christ becomes more contagious.
Let Eternity Shape Your Ministry
To those of you faithfully serving—preaching, teaching, counseling, discipling—let this be a moment of realignment. Refresh the vision of eternity in your ministry. Let it shape the rhythm of your messages, the heartbeat of your service, and the way you lead others.
Encourage your community to wrestle with these questions. Walk alongside them as they consider the everlasting direction of their lives. In doing so, you’re not just preparing hearts for the challenges of today—you’re preparing them for the unimaginable glory that awaits.
Let’s keep eternity central, not just as a doctrine we believe but as a reality that fuels our purpose, passion, and proclamation of the Gospel.
by Stephen Hay | Feb 3, 2025 | Leadership, Spiritual Formation
As ministry leaders, we often find ourselves caught in an unrelenting cycle of responsibilities—sermons to prepare, counseling sessions to lead, and communities to shepherd. Amid it all, the pursuit of joy can become secondary; an afterthought drowned out by the demands of daily ministry. But what if joy isn’t something we stumble upon but actively fight for?
Recently, an article from Desiring God titled “Do You Fight for Joy?” stopped me. The title alone was enough to challenge me, forcing me to consider how often I let the busyness of ministry obscure the very joy I long to experience. As I read on, I deeply resonated with the insights—a compelling call to action reminding me that joy isn’t just a passive emotion but an intentional pursuit.
Joy Is More Than a Feeling—It’s a Fruit
One of the most striking points in the article was the distinction between happiness and joy. While happiness is often circumstantial, joy is something more profound—a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) that remains steadfast despite external situations. It’s not dependent on everything going right, but rather, it’s anchored in the unchanging character of God.
This realization led me to reflect on where I have found joy in ministry, often in unexpected places. It’s in the quiet moments of prayer, the laughter shared at a church potluck, or the soaring harmonies of the choir on a Sunday morning. These reminders reinforced that joy doesn’t require perfect conditions but a focused heart.
Cultivating Joy in Ministry
The article also offered practical ways to cultivate joy, seamlessly weaving Scripture into every point. One practice that resonated with me was the discipline of gratitude and remembrance. How often do we, as pastors, encourage others to count their blessings but forget to do the same ourselves?
Inspired by this, I made a commitment to start a gratitude journal—a small but significant step in re-centering joy in my ministry. Carving out time each week to reflect on God’s goodness is a simple yet profound way to shift focus from burdens to blessings.
Joy as a Strength, Not a Distraction
Perhaps the most convicting takeaway from the article was the reminder that joy is not a distraction from ministry—it’s the very strength that sustains it. Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” It’s easy to view joy as a byproduct of a smooth season, but Scripture tells us that it is in joy that we find the resilience to navigate challenges.
This realization has reshaped my approach to leadership. Instead of seeing joy as something to be experienced when time allows, I now see it as a necessity for thriving in ministry. The call to shepherd others isn’t just about guiding them through trials but also about modeling a life rooted in the unwavering joy of Christ.
Joy Is a Daily Choice
The key lesson from Desiring God’s article is this: joy is both a charge and a choice. As pastors and ministry leaders, we must daily decide to see God’s goodness in the mundane and to recognize His hand in the ordinary.
So I leave you with this encouragement: Let joy be the thread that weaves your work into a vibrant tapestry of faith. With every sermon, every prayer, and every conversation, choose joy—not as a fleeting emotion but as a testimony to the hope we have in Christ. The fight for joy is not a burden; it is a blessing. And as we embrace it, we become living beacons of hope to those we are called to serve.
The article walks us through a landscape where joy isn’t a passive, accidental pursuit but an active fight—a notion that immediately resonated with me. It was both comforting and challenging, like the gentle nudge from a good friend reminding you of the truth you already know but often overlook. In the swirl of weekly sermons, counseling sessions, and community outreach, I’d inadvertently started letting joy take a backseat to all the “necessary” tasks of being a pastor.
What struck me most was the author’s emphasis on joy as a fruit of the Spirit, not a mere byproduct of favorable circumstances. They gently unraveled the misconception that joy is synonymous with happiness, instead presenting it as a steadfastness rooted in the unchanging character of God. As I read, I was reminded of the times I had found joy in unexpected places—quiet corners of prayer, shared moments of laughter during a church potluck, or witnessing the choir’s harmonies soar on Sunday mornings. These reflections served as poignant reminders that joy doesn’t demand perfect conditions but a focus on Christ.
The article humbly suggested practical strategies to cultivate joy, weaving Scripture seamlessly into every point. I particularly appreciated the encouragement to lean into gratitude and the discipline of remembrance. As pastors, we’re often quick to soothe others’ troubles yet slow to recount our blessings. This struck a chord with me. I made a mental note to carve out time each week for gratitude journaling, a slight but purposeful shift towards re-centering joy in my ministry.
Navigating through the writer’s insights, it became apparent that joy in ministry isn’t about the absence of challenges but finding strength in them. It invited me to rethink my approach to leadership and day-to-day interactions, challenging me to prioritize joy as a guiding light through the ebbs and flows of church life. By the end of the article, I wasn’t just encouraged; I was motivated to take substantive steps towards embodying joy as an everyday pursuit, not just for myself but as a testimony to those I lead.
The takeaway for us as ministry leaders is clear—joy is both a charge and a choice. It’s a daily decision to see the goodness of God in the mundane, the miraculous in the ordinary. As I closed my laptop and prayed, I felt a renewed sense of clarity that joy is worth the fight. Fellow pastors, I advise you: with every sermon, prayer, and interaction, let joy be the thread that weaves your work into a vibrant tapestry of faith. The fight for joy is not a burden but a blessing, leading us ever deeper into the heart of ministry and molding us into living beacons of hope for those God has placed in our care.
by Stephen Hay | Jan 20, 2025 | Leadership
Have you ever read something that felt like it was written just for you? That’s exactly how I felt reading Chapter 2 of Good Leaders Ask Great Questions by John C. Maxwell. As a pastor, leadership is at the heart of what I do, and Maxwell’s reflective questions struck a chord deep within me. They didn’t just make me think—they made me change.
Let me take you on this journey, one question at a time, because I believe they can change how you lead, too.
1. Am I Investing in Myself?
When I read this question, I had to pause. As pastors, we’re constantly pouring into others—writing sermons, leading Bible studies, and counseling those in crisis. But when was the last time I truly invested in me? Maxwell reminded me that self-leadership isn’t selfish; it’s essential.
I began carving out time each week for personal growth. For me, that looked like carving out time at 5 am each morning to read, reflect, journal, pray, and go to the gym. It felt strange at first—like I was stepping away from the focus I was called to do. But here’s the thing: when I invested in myself, I noticed my capacity to serve others expanded. I had more energy, more ideas, and more patience.
2. Am I Genuinely Interested in Others?
This one hit hard. I’d always thought I was interested in others—I’m a pastor! But Maxwell asks if we prioritize people over our own leadership ambitions. Ouch. I realized that sometimes I was so focused on “the vision” or “the goal” that I overlooked the people God had placed right before me.
After reading this, I made a conscious effort to slow down. Instead of rushing from one task to the next, I started asking deeper questions: How are you really doing? What’s God teaching you right now? It’s amazing how much more connected I felt to my congregation and team when I stopped treating conversations like checkboxes.
3. Am I Grounded as a Leader?
Authenticity and humility—two words that are easy to preach about but harder to live out. Maxwell’s question about being grounded forced me to reflect on whether I was leading from a place of genuine connection or a pedestal.
On Sunday, I decided to start sharing a personal moment in my sermons—and to my surprise, it didn’t make people see me as weak. It made them feel closer to me. Maxwell is right: people follow leaders who are genuine, not perfect. Staying grounded doesn’t just benefit you; it creates trust and community.
4. Am I Adding Value to My Team?
Finally, Maxwell’s emphasis on adding value to others challenged me to rethink how I approached leadership. Was I building up my team, or was I merely using their talents to accomplish my own vision?
I began shifting my focus from “What can you do for the ministry?” to “How can I help you grow?” That shift transformed our team meetings. They became spaces of encouragement and collaboration rather than tasks and to-do lists. And you know what? The ministry didn’t just survive—it flourished.
My Takeaway for You
Maxwell’s four questions didn’t just refine my leadership; they redefined it. They reminded me that leadership isn’t about a title, a vision, or even results. It’s about people—starting with yourself and extending to those you serve.
So, here’s my advice to you, fellow ministry leaders: Take time this week to sit with these questions. Be honest with yourself. You might be surprised by what you discover. And remember, investing in your growth is one of the best gifts you can give to those you lead.
Because at the end of the day, the best leaders aren’t the ones who stand tallest—they’re the ones who lift others higher. Anágo.
by Stephen Hay | Dec 27, 2024 | Leadership
In their work, Creating Shared Resilience: The Role of the Church in a Hopeful Future, David M. Boan and Josh Ayers delve into local churches’ pivotal function in fostering resilience within communities. They define resilience as the capacity of individuals or systems to recover from shocks and stresses, akin to a rubber band returning to its original state after being stretched.
The authors argue that faith significantly influences resilience by shaping worldviews, suggesting that a healthy, active church naturally contributes to a community’s ability to rebound from crises. They emphasize the concept of integral mission, which integrates word and deed, urging churches to engage in advocacy, civic participation, and creation care as expressions of their faith.
Boan and Ayers introduce a “Shared Resilience” model, encouraging churches to:
- Seek justice
- Build social capital
- Create restoration
- Practice engagement
These practices strengthen the church and the broader community, enhancing collective resilience. Conversely, they caution against negative behaviors—such as increasing separation, fostering dependency, promoting paternalism, and engaging in toxic charity—that can undermine resilience.
The book guides churches aiming to play a proactive role in community development, highlighting the profound impact of faith-based engagement on societal well-being.
by Stephen Hay | Sep 13, 2024 | Leadership, Conflict
Conflict is not a stranger to the Christian life. Though we are reconciled to God, we still live in a fallen world, among imperfect people, and carry the weight of our own imperfections. Within the Church, the presence of conflict is not a failure of faith—it is an opportunity to express it.
As a pastor who has walked alongside many through seasons of tension and misunderstanding, I have learned that conflict need not be feared. Rather, it can become a sacred space where grace is practiced, humility is grown, and unity is forged.
Let us consider three biblical truths that can guide us as we seek peace within the body of Christ.
1. Pursue Peace with Humility
Paul’s words in Romans 12:18 set the tone:
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
This is not a passive suggestion—it is an active calling. We are not responsible for the responses of others, but we are absolutely responsible for our own. The Christian does not wait for peace to find them; they pursue it.
In the midst of conflict, our posture matters. Are we willing to approach one another not with entitlement, but with empathy? Not with assumptions, but with listening? Humility invites the other to be heard. It lays down the sword of self-justification and picks up the towel of service.
True peace is never achieved by force—it is cultivated through grace. And grace begins with humility.
2. Embrace Conflict as a Means of Growth
We often imagine unity as the absence of disagreement, but Scripture offers a richer, more resilient picture. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us:
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Sharpening requires friction. Transformation requires tension. Conflict, then, is not always a sign that something is wrong—it may be a sign that something is growing.
When we engage one another with truth and love, our differences can refine rather than divide us. Disagreements can deepen relationships. Honest conversations can forge trust. Through the refining fire of conflict, the Church is made stronger, more compassionate, and more Christlike.
So let us not flee from hard conversations. Let us enter them prayerfully, ready to be sharpened and sanctified.
3. Listen Before You Speak
If we are to be a people marked by peace, we must be a people marked by listening. James 1:19 offers this timeless wisdom:
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
Conflict often escalates not because of its content, but because of our response. We rush to defend, to explain, to correct—when we ought first to hear.
Listening is an act of love. It says, “Your voice matters to me.” It disarms defensiveness and invites understanding. When we make space for others to speak, we create space for God to work.
Let our words be few, and our ears attentive. Let our conversations be safe havens of respect and restoration.
A Call to Unity
Conflict is not the enemy of unity—division is. And division takes root when we neglect the hard work of reconciliation. But when we face conflict with humility, treat it as a means of growth, and communicate with grace, we become builders of peace.
Psalm 133:1 casts a vision worth pursuing:
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.”
May our churches be places where unity is not assumed, but actively pursued. Where disagreements do not divide us, but deepen our dependence on Christ and on one another. Where the presence of conflict becomes a stage for the gospel to shine.
Let us be known not by the absence of struggle, but by the presence of peacemaking.
