Zack Eswine's Blog

As Pastors we know that Jesus teaches us to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength (Matthew 22:37; Luke 10:27). But when we attempt to teach this love for God to others, we run into obstacles as ministry leaders. Why is this and what can we do? Pay Attention to the … Continue reading "How do we Preach about Loving God?"

O Lord, you say that you keep memory of all my tossing and wanderings; that you collect my tears as if in a bottle so that none are lost to your remembrance. (Ps. 56:8) I feel sometimes like I have that bottle in my nervous anxious hands and drop the bottle shattering my tears and … Continue reading "You are My Memory Keeper: A Prayer"

We need reminders. Our to-do-lists and calendars give us proof enough. We search for car keys. We use someone else’s phone to call ours. Then we listen through the house hoping it will reveal its location. I guess, too, that we’ve learned our forgetfulness the hard way. Lovers too easily forget why they fell in … Continue reading "Spiritual Remembering, Part 1"

  A selfie culture can radically mis-shape the way American Christians think about using their gifts and volunteering in local churches. Let’s look at three selfie influences that damage volunteer teams and ministries.    The “It’s All or Nothing Selfie”  “I’m not like other people. Since I don’t get to do what someone else does … Continue reading "Pastoring Ministry Volunteers, Part 3"

It is not easy to suggest to someone in our congregation that we learn how to practice God’s presence together. After all, for many, the idea of spending a moment-by-moment life with God doesn’t sound exciting. What if God is annoying or socially awkward; boring, or out of touch? Worse, what if God is like … Continue reading "Tasting the Pleasures of God’s Presence"

The largest human questions are sometimes asked in the most ordinary and smallest of places. “Where is God?” As a little boy, my youngest son Caleb asked this sacred question before bed. “He is everywhere” I say. “Is he in my room?” “Yes, I say, He is here.” “Is he on my pillow?” “No” I … Continue reading "Tending to God’s Nearness"

We feel like we will miss out, or that we are not enough. This is why we cram days into each other. We blur them and force them to get along. But we are restless. Agitated. Irritated. Discontent. When is anything ever enough? We feel restless because we were created with a morning and evening … Continue reading "Taking Each Day as it Comes"

When I was a boy, the dangerous mystery surrounding the Bermuda Triangle captured my attention. Sometimes a plane or boat would enter the Triangle only to barely and frightfully get through or to disappear altogether. The riddle of the Triangle remains illusive. As a Pastor, (and a parent) I’ve become painfully aware of what we … Continue reading "The Decision-Making Triangle"

 The Apostle Paul was physically and emotionally wore out. Fear thunderstormed his soul. Conflict awaited him. He had no rest. Rather than hide this fact, the Apostle gave voice to it.  As pastors, the idea of giving voice to the hurricane that batters against the boarded up windows of our souls feels dangerous. But God … Continue reading "A Forgotten Remedy for the Stress and Fatigue of Ministry"

This two-part audio series “Searching for Greatness in Ministry,” is taken from Zack’s recent visit with pastors and ministry leaders who participate in the Spurgeon Fellowship in Portland, Oregon.  Out of his daily life in local pastoral ministry, Zack seeks to encourage us in our common vocation in Jesus. Part 1: What do you want … Continue reading "Searching for Greatness in Ministry"