Category: Combined Ministry
Ordination and the Gospel Commission:
A Church’s Gift to Its Missionaries. The church’s act of setting individuals apart for gospel ministry, often referred to as ordination, is more than a mere formality. It is a gift—a public recognition of a divine calling that strengthens missionaries, including physicians, to resist discouragement and stand firm in their work. This sacred act acknowledges… Read more
The Power of the Pastoral Vision
I Want This City… The role of a pastor in leading God’s people is unique and profound. Pastors often underestimate the power of their vision—visions inspired by God to bring health, healing, and salvation to their communities. The pastoral vision is not born of personal ambition or pride but of divine inspiration, cultivated through communion… Read more
The Power Of The Pastoral Call.
Do Not Underestimate The Power of the Pastoral Call. It Can Inspire Others To Join In Gods Mission Pastors wield an incredible power that they often do not recognize—the power of calling others to join them in ministry. Their voices, empowered by the Holy Spirit, resonate in ways that reach deep into the hearts of… Read more
Three Models for Encouraging Collaboration Between Medicine and Ministry
The call to unite medical work and gospel ministry has deep roots in the mission of the church. The intersection of medical work and gospel ministry provides a unique opportunity to serve communities holistically, addressing both physical and spiritual needs. By combining the healing of the body with the nurturing of the soul, we follow… Read more
The Stages of Play
Analogies for the Evolving Cooperation Between Pastors and Physicians Human development is marked by growth, learning, and increasingly complex interactions with others. Nowhere is this more evident than in the six stages of childhood play as outlined by Mildred Parten. These stages illustrate how children progress from isolated exploration to cooperative engagement as they develop… Read more
Turning Conflict into Collaboration
Building Unity Between Pastors and Physicians Working Together in Love and Unity: Overcoming Challenges Between Pastors and PhysiciansIn the realm of medical ministry, something profound happens when pastors and physicians join forces. Their collaboration can transcend routine activities and mundane outcomes, entering the world of the miraculous. But just as this combined ministry can become… Read more
The Wages of Balaam
How Division in Medical and Gospel Ministry Curses Our Churches In my previous blog post, I touched on the tragic story of Balaam—a prophet who once walked closely with God but fell into temptation. His pursuit of riches, power, reputation and influence led him to seek ways to bring a curse upon God’s people. Although… Read more
The Worst Evil: How Separating Medicine and Ministry Harms the Church
The Necessity of Integrating Medicine and Ministry: Protecting the Church from “The Worst Evil” In the journey to unite medicine and ministry, we uncover profound reasons why these two fields must not operate in isolation. The mission to combine these disciplines is not just a matter of practicality; it is a spiritual imperative that has… Read more
The Pastors Job Description in the Pastor/Physician Team.
Building Effective Pastor-Physician Teams: A Blueprint for Success and The Church’s Secret Weapon. (Part two of a two part series) In the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, health and the gospel are intended to work hand-in-hand. Ellen White emphasized the importance of uniting these two areas, stating that “when the gospel ministers and the medical missionary workers… Read more
The Physicians Job Description in the Pastor/Physician Team
Building Effective Pastor-Physician Teams: A Blueprint for Success and The Church’s Secret Weapon. (Part one of a two part series) The Pastor/Physician Team: Clarifying the Physician’s RoleIn the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, there is a unique and powerful combination of health and the gospel. Ellen White emphasized the critical need for this union when she wrote,… Read more