Author Archives: Matthew Winters

Until 2014, I had no clue of what it meant for a pastor or church staff member to work more than one job. I was full-time with a decent salary in every church I served. When I found myself separated with divorce in sight, things changed. I found a few churches that would hire meContinue reading “When Your Pastor Works 2+ Jobs”

When I decided to blog again, I was faced with some questions I had to answer. Was I going to change the focus of the blog? Was I going to target a specific audience, or was I going to paint with a broad brush? After having over 1,600 followers on the old blog, was IContinue reading “Broad or Narrow?”

It didn’t take me long as a guy in ministry to learn what the “Sunday crash and burn” is. Twenty years ago, I typically led a Sunday morning service, afternoon choir rehearsal, and Sunday night service. Back then, Sunday night was almost as involved as the morning except with fewer in attendance. Even with theContinue reading “Sunday Crash and Burn”

The direction of the church is a sensitive topic. If 100 people attend, you have at least 100 different opinions about how the church should function. Should it have pews or chairs? Stained glass? Contemporary, traditional, or blended music? Sunday School or small groups? Then comes the bigger schism – should the direction be setContinue reading “Church Direction: Will of Man or Will of God?”

Today, I attended the funeral of a man in our church who had Down’s Syndrome. He was 67. Some of you may read this and think, “Lots of people have Down’s Syndrome, what is so special about this guy?” When you factor in that he was born in the 1950s in a rural area withoutContinue reading “Trailblazers”

Many of us were raised with an extremely judgmental view of God. We were told all the stories of God smiting this person dead and rebuking another with fierce anger. While God did do those things in some cases, they always followed warnings from God. God didn’t just wake up one morning and say, “WhoContinue reading “Does God Instantly Smite and Rebuke?”

If you and I are honest, each of us has had at least one setback in life. It may have been a financial setback, a flight delay, or a sickness. Setbacks don’t have to be very detrimental, but they often are. How do we rebuild strength after a setback? The biblical prescription might shock you.Continue reading “Rebuilding Strength After a Setback”

The last almost 24 hours have been action-packed. Last night, my mom called with a medical concern and ended up in the ER. We got her back home at 11:00 pm, and I was in the bed at 11:50. I was awakened by a 1 year old at 3:45 am, and I could not sleepContinue reading “IN Everything Give Thanks”

Tears easing out the corners of my eyes, I sat there and listened to a man who had given his entire life to ministry speak passionately about his love for the Lord and serving others. Something awakened within me that had been buried for quite some time. I had allowed life’s circumstances to suppress theContinue reading “Coming Back to Life”

Friendships are much like a revolving door. I have had a ton of friends come in and out of my life. Think about it. It’s going to happen when you serve 11 churches in 24 years. (Gotta love when the nature of your ministry is short-term!😂) I made some pretty close friends that I wishContinue reading “Why Friends Come and Go”