Author Archives: ashtoncsmith

A lady recently answered a question in such a way that I was almost sure she was joking. I asked where the men’s room was and she replied, “you can go into the woods.” The problem? I looked at her face to see if she had a wry smile. She was wearing a mask, whichContinue reading “Communication is Key”

At my home church Lori and I have been attending the life group headed by a retired pastor, who also is the father of our lead pastor. He made an important point on this past Sunday on communication. Pastor Jim, as he is known, shared about one lady he had asked about joining our congregation.Continue reading “Communication is key”

I normally don’t pay a lot of attention to how people are dressed, unless I’m at a social gathering, and I realize everyone is attired differently than I am. I had read a recent article (financial news) about clothing companies making more work-out clothing since that’s what’s selling. This morning at a high school IContinue reading “Appearance”

My wife (Lori) and I just took a vacation–the first since 2019. We both have had our Covid Vaccine shots, and a return to some form of normalcy included taking a vacation. Jesus said, “Come apart…and rest a while…” (Mark 6:31). I remember hearing a pastor years ago saying, “Come apart or you will comeContinue reading “Vacation”

As a pastor my favorite text for Easter Sunday is John 20. I have used titles such as “Why I Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus.” It’s one of those texts that preaches itself…. One of the problems I’ve had with Christians, which certain theologians started, was that Christianity needs to be taken “on faith.”Continue reading “Evidence for the Faith”

I don’t promote that I drive a school bus. My “business” at this point is church consultation and transitional/interim pastoring. But I’m prompted to write this for consideration by those in ministry who need an additional position that provides benefits. I read recently about a man who accepted the call to ministry who had beenContinue reading “Driving a School Bus”

Volunteers are very important to every local church. As a pastor I frequently was enlisting volunteers: my ministry would have fallen flat had I not had volunteers to accomplish the work and staff the ministries of the church. I would announce from the pulpit the need for specific volunteers. The bulletin, church newsletter and otherContinue reading “Enlisting Volunteers”

Now that more and more people are able to get one of the Covid vaccines, more people will feel comfortable returning to social events. The question is, “how many people will return to church?” Realistically, some people will not return. Many pastors and church leaders will find themselves with lower attendance than they had pre-Covid.Continue reading “Welcome Back”

The Covid 19 virus has put a focus on physical health. As a pastor since 1983, I’ve noticed that a lot of pastors, church leaders, and members do not put much focus on personal health. We’re going to heaven, right. So why should we concern ourselves with physical health? Many today shun tobacco and cigarettes,Continue reading “Be Healthy”

One big advantage of having a church consultant is a pair of fresh eyes looking at your congregation. There are two primary issues. First, when we see something all the time, we tend to overlook what’s in plain sight. A church consultant doing a walk through of your facility will pick up on what youContinue reading “Fresh Eyes”