Nov 25
I came to work with the 7th and College Church of Christ in Mayfield, Kentucky in November of 2003. The church was in the midst of beginning a building program which would involve lots of my time and effort over the first few years. We moved into our new building and adopted a new name, …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/my-antique-ruler-and-what-it-means-to-me/
Nov 16
In an earlier post I wrote about six challenges church leaders must face. Number two on that list was the role of the preacher’s wife. I promised to do a separate post discussing the unique role and challenge the preacher’s wife faces. These thoughts come from a lecture series I did at Polishing the Pulpit …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/eight-challenges-of-being-a-preachers-wife/
Nov 10
Ministers and church leaders along with their families face some unique challenges. Here are six challenges they face and the success of their ministry is often determined with how they handle these. The fish bowl complex. Leaders must not only face the normal trials of life, but must do it as the church looks on. Many …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/six-challenges-church-leaders-face/
Nov 06
[Note: This is a special guest post from Lance Leavens. Lance is the involvement minister and Deacon with the Piedmont Road Church of Christ in Georgia. He is married to Susan and has four daughters.] Not all decisions carry the same weight or consequences. Some are more important than others. Three years ago I made …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/career-choices-leaving-secular-work-for-ministry/
Aug 18
I am thankful for young preachers going into the work. I am particularly excited this year as there are a couple of my friends who are starting their freshman year studying to become preachers. I am optimistic about their studies and the impact they will have for the Lord. This got me to thinking about …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/essential-items-for-a-new-preacher/
Mar 20
Do you ever leave a great class feeling worse about yourself than when it began? The speaker didn’t want to communicate this message, but they presented such material that it overwhelms you! Being a preacher, I can feel like this sometimes when I go to a lectureship or conference. The speakers do a good job and …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/dealing-with-information-overload/
Jan 26
You want to know how your preacher often feels? Go shovel snow to clear your driveway, knowing that the work is only temporary, to understand what he often feels like. I know it sounds pessimistic, and even maybe a little heretical, but emotionally ministers regularly wonder is their work making any longterm difference. Is …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/shoveling-snow-and-church-work/
Aug 06
I am a first generation preacher. I never really planned or expected to be a preacher. I was lead that way through a series of events which I wrote about yesterday. I am thankful to be a preacher. I tend to think preachers can exaggerate in their own minds the difficulties and burdens of the …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/reasons-i-love-preaching/
Aug 05
My decision to become a preacher cannot be pinpointed to one specific moment, but rather was a series of events and experiences that took place over several years. I grew up in the church and got some experience speaking at my home congregation and with Lads-to-Leaders. I went to Freed-Hardeman intending on being a farmer, my …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/how-i-became-a-preacher/
May 19
I am still a fairly young preacher, but I have been doing this for 17 years now. So I thought I would pen a somewhat humorous post for other preachers, especially ones new to the calling of preaching. Maybe other preachers will add their translations into the mix too. By the way, to those who …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/a-helpful-translation-guide-of-comments-for-young-preachers/
