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/
May 20
I enjoy history and often reflect on history when thinking about the present and future. I have an unusual wall display in my office. Here it is: This piece has hung on my wall since soon after moving to the 7 Oaks building. I cut this hardwood section of flooring from behind the pulpit …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/where-beautiful-feet-stood/
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/
May 29
I am sharing 7 steps to get your elders to say “Yes” to your proposal. In the previous post we shared the first three steps. Step 1: Keep the overall good and goals of the church as priority. Step 2: Don’t wear out your welcome. Step 3: Prepare thoroughly and have it in writing. Now …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/how-to-get-your-elders-to-say-yes-part-2/
May 28
Michael Hyatt wrote three posts on how to get your boss to say “yes” in the marketplace (see links in footnote). These posts have been successful for him and helpful to many. I wanted to take these concepts, and some of my own thoughts, and write a couple of posts as well. Before sharing my …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/how-to-get-your-elders-to-say-yes/
May 01
Amanda is going to the preacher’s wives’ retreat at the Chickasaw State Park this weekend, which prompted me to write about her as a preacher’s wife. I am admittedly biased, but I think she is an awesome preacher’s wife! Here are some of the reasons I think she makes a great preacher’s wife for Seven …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/this-preachers-wife/
