Jesse Reimers

Pastoral ministry is demanding, often requiring pastors to juggle multiple responsibilities at once. From sermon preparation to pastoral care to managing volunteers and staff, effective leadership and management are key to a thriving church. Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson’s classic book, The One Minute Manager , offers timeless management principles that can be applied to pastoral leadership, especially in the context of small church ministry. Over the next three weeks, we will explore the three core secrets from The One Minute Manager , offering practical insights on how pastors can use them to better manage their time, resources, and people in ministry.  "A goal should take only a minute to read." – Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson, The One Minute Manager The first secret of The One Minute Manager is One Minute Goals. This secret is built around the idea that clear, concise, and achievable goals are the foundation of effective leadership and management. For small chur...

As pastors of small churches, we are often reminded of the daily challenges of leading a congregation—balancing budgets, shepherding our people, and maintaining the health of the church. Yet, amid these important tasks, we must continually ask ourselves a crucial question: Are we fulfilling the Great Commission? Jesus left us with a clear and urgent command in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” This is not a suggestion or a calling for a select few. It is the mandate for every believer and every church. Sadly, a significant portion of the global Church has lost sight of this mission. Studies show that 85% of pastors believe missions is a mandate for the whole Church , yet only a fraction of Christians see it that way. It’s time for us to lead the way in reigniting a passion for missions and recommitting to the Great Commission. The question is: How can we, as small church pastors, mobilize our congregations to embrace and live out this mandate? A Mandate for All...

For small church pastors, fulfilling the call to global missions often seems like a daunting task. With limited resources and fewer members, the idea of sending missionaries or making a significant global impact can feel out of reach. Yet, the heart of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is not about the size of our congregations but the scope of our vision. Many churches, particularly smaller ones, operate under the assumption that sending missionaries overseas is the only way to fulfill the Great Commission. But is that really the best or only way to engage in global missions? According to recent studies, 60% of Christians believe that churches send the right amount of missionaries —yet large portions of the world remain unreached. There is a critical disconnect here. It’s time to rethink our mission strategies. Instead of solely focusing on sending missionaries, what if we shifted toward partnering with the global Church to make a more sustainable and impactful difference? Effec...

 As pastors of small churches, we know how easy it can be to focus primarily on our local community and the immediate needs around us. But as we lead our congregations, we must ask a critical question: How well do we understand the global Church? Many of our members may assume that the United States is the central hub of Christianity, but the reality is far different—and that misconception can deeply impact how we engage in God’s mission. According to recent studies, 68% of U.S. Christians believe the United States is the modern center of Christianity . However, this view is not only inaccurate but also limits our understanding of the global body of Christ and our role in it. To fulfill the Great Commission, we must develop a broader view of the Church—one that transcends borders and recognizes the powerful work God is doing across the world. The Global Shift in Christianity In recent decades, the geographic heart of Christianity has shifted dramatically. While Christianity may ha...