Pastoring From
The Prayer Closet.
A practical guide for ministering
to a small congregation.
PRAYER FIRST. MINISTRY SECOND.
There is always more ministry than time
A pastor’s work is never really finished. There is always another sermon to prepare, another person to visit, another phone call to make, another meeting to attend, and another problem to solve. Eventually, the question becomes: How do I know what deserves my attention?
That question eventually led me to the prayer closet.
Start with prayer. Start with your people.
Years ago, I began praying through our church directory. I wasn’t looking for another ministry program. I simply wanted to faithfully bring the people God had entrusted to me before the Lord. Over time, something began to happen. As I prayed for my people, God began putting people on my heart—someone to call, someone to visit, someone to encourage, or someone who simply needed to know that their pastor was thinking about them.
Slowly, I realized that my pastoral agenda was beginning to come out of my prayer time. Instead of making a long ministry to-do list and asking God to bless it, I was learning to let God help make the list.
If you’re wondering where to begin, start with the names.
Resources for the Journey
Books, sermons, devotionals, and practical tools for pastors and churches.
The Pastor’s Table
Try something. Come back. Tell us what happened. Let’s learn from each other.
Pastoral Resources
Worksheets, pastoral tools, ministry ideas, and practical resources you can adapt for your congregation.
Everything here is free
Resources for pastors shouldn’t be limited by the size of their church or the size of their budget. Everything here is offered freely. Take what helps you. Adapt it. Use it. Share it.
You don’t have to do everything. Start with the people God has given you.
A Little About Pastor Bill
Pastoring Happens Among the People
I’ve had the privilege of pastoring the same local church since 1997. Along the way, I’ve learned some things that worked, some things that didn’t, and a lot of things I’m still learning. This site isn’t about having all the answers. It’s simply a place to share some of what God has taught me while trying to faithfully pastor the people He has given me. If something I’ve learned along the way can help you pastor your people more faithfully, then I’m glad you’re here.
