Uncategorized | darrellstetler2.com

A Pastor’s Most Strategic Day of the Week

What is the most strategic day of your week? Do you have one? Do you know why it is the most strategic? What is the most important thing you do on that day? Church administrative work? Sermon preparation? Rest? Preventing burnout? Family time? As a pastor, I doubt that your most strategic day is Sunday. […]

darrellstetler2@gmail.com 9 years agoMarch 30, 2016

Pastor, Here’s Why You Can’t Quit

If the stats are right, several pastors reading this are burned out and thinking of quitting… or at least wishing it could happen. The old joke about “writing your resignation letter every Monday” has a grain of truth. You’re burned out. Used up. Frustrated. In conflict. Spiritually drained. Unappreciated. I don’t know if you’re one […]

darrellstetler2@gmail.com 9 years agoApril 21, 2024

Leadership preaching Uncategorized

Leadership Lessons from the Rise of Donald Trump

His hair is legendary. He has an ego the size of the Grand Canyon. He might possibly be the next President of the United States. He’s definitely making waves. His name is Donald J. Trump, and the enormity of his wealth is only surpassed by the Trumposity of his personality. Let me start by saying this […]

darrellstetler2@gmail.com 9 years agoMarch 15, 2016

Guest Follow-up Holidays & Special Days outreach Systems Uncategorized

How to Not Waste Your Christmas Crowd

Every pastor knows that Easter and Christmas are two Sundays that are most likely to attract the unchurched and the de-churched to attend. You probably have given thought to your Christmas or Advent services already, since we’re just a few weeks away. Between now and Christmas, you’ll probably brainstorm ideas decorate the Sanctuary rehearse special […]

darrellstetler2@gmail.com 9 years agoApril 22, 2024

Leadership Personal Productivity Systems Uncategorized

A Simple Strategic Planning Process for Your Church

Some fancy terms that get thrown around in the world seem complicated — but really are more simple than you might think at first. One is “strategic planning.” It can sound scary. It leads to lots of questions: Entire books have been written on this subject. And they’re great. But I’m guessing most pastors on this list […]

darrellstetler2@gmail.com 9 years agoFebruary 20, 2025

Leadership Systems Tools Uncategorized

Always Learning: What I Learned About Church From Walmart

In John Maxwell’s book How Successful People Think, the story is told of Sam Walton, founder of Walmart, when the store chain was just taking off. Sam took a couple of his colleagues, regional store managers to visit some of the competition in Huntsville, AL. Don Soderquist (later, CEO of Walmart) related the story: “We went into […]

darrellstetler2@gmail.com 9 years ago

Personal Productivity Systems Tech Tools Uncategorized

Can We Stop Talking About Technology Like It’s An Enemy?

One of the questions I get asked frequently is about technology… about what tools I’m using, what new things I’m trying. This week, I’m launching my first e-book: “The Top 9 Tech Tools and Apps I’m Using to Get More Done!” In it, I share my favorite tools, and how I’m using each one. Before […]

darrellstetler2@gmail.com 9 years agoFebruary 15, 2016

Uncategorized

Keeping Sunday Nights From Being a Drag

“I am so frustrated with my Sunday night service!” the pastor wrote in a message to me. “It’s like 30% of the attendance of my Sunday morning worship service — even every time I pray about it I feel frustrated & discouraged!” What to say to that guy? First: Don’t freak out. Don’t live and […]

darrellstetler2@gmail.com 9 years agoJanuary 16, 2025

Books Personal Productivity Uncategorized

Books I Am Most Excited to Read This Year

Want to read more books in 2016? Here’s a little tip from Michael Hyatt — Don’t feel pressure to finish: “Here’s publishing’s dirty little secret: most books are not worth finishing. Most books could be cut in half and you wouldn’t miss a thing. The key is to read as long as you are interested and then […]

darrellstetler2@gmail.com 9 years agoJanuary 3, 2016

Personal Productivity preaching sermons Systems Uncategorized

5 Reasons You Should Plan Sermons In Advance

There’s a running joke among preachers, where sermons are referred to as “Saturday Night Specials.” It’s one of those jokes with an element of truth. Every small church pastor knows the feeling of a busy week of ministry, outside jobs, counseling, maintenance — and an emergency crash sermon prep session on Saturday night. (Or Sunday morning!) I know […]