Pastoring Today November December 2025 (3)

The Pastor’s Rest: Finding Peace in the Season of Pressure The Pastor’s The Pastor’s Harvest: Harvest: Reaping What Reaping What You’ve You’ve Sown Sown The Pastor’s Rest: Finding Peace in the Season of Pressure

Emmanuel: God With Us Even in Ministry Finishing Finishing Strong: The Strong: The Shepherd’s Shepherd’s Charge atat Charge Year’s End Year’s End Emmanuel: God With Us Even in Ministry

Faith Still Shines Leading Through the Darkest Nights Faith Still Shines Leading Through the Darkest Nights

PASTORING TODAY November/December 2025

Rev. Dr. T. Welcome Miller Jr.

“Balancing Local & Global Ministry Effectively.”

“Balancing Local & Global Ministry Effectively.”

Copyright Page Title: Pastoring Today Author: Dr. Tonya Gipson Miller Copyright Year: 2025 ISBN: 978-1-257-07711-3 Printed in the United States of America Cover Design: AtoZ Publishing Published by AtoZ Publishing at all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherwise – without prior written permission of the author Tonya Gipson Miller For more Information contact tonyamerriweathergipson@gmail.com Edited and Published by AtoZ Publishing Washington DC, Visit AtoZ Publishing at www.atozpublishing.weebly.com This book is written as a work of faith and creativity. Its pages are designed to teach, encourage, and inspire, and do not portray actual persons, living or deceased, real events, businesses, or ministries. Any resemblance is purely coincidental.

Copyright@2025 Tonya Gipson Miller Printed in the United States of America

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

DR. TONYA GIPSON MILLER THIS NOVEMBER–DECEMBER ISSUE OF PASTORING TODAY CELEBRATES THE CLOSE OF ANOTHER POWERFUL YEAR IN MINISTRY. WE HONOR PASTORS WHO HAVE LABORED FAITHFULLY, SOWED IN LOVE, AND LED WITH VISION THROUGH EVERY SEASON. IN THESE PAGES, YOU’LL FIND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR REFLECTION, RENEWAL, AND REFOCUSING AS WE PREPARE FOR A NEW YEAR OF SERVICE. FROM REV. DR. T. WELCOME MILLER JR.’S COVER FEATURE ON BALANCING LOCAL AND GLOBAL MINISTRY TO ARTICLES ON GRATITUDE, WORSHIP, AND PASTORAL REST, THIS ISSUE REMINDS US THAT GOD’S WORK CONTINUES—BOTH NEAR AND FAR. MAY EVERY STORY INSPIRE YOU TO FINISH STRONG AND STEP INTO THE NEXT SEASON WITH FRESH FAITH AND STEADFAST HOPE.

Pastoring Today Cover

by Terry Wilkerson

Pastoring Today is honored to feature Rev. Dr. T. Welcome Miller Jr., a seasoned servant of the Lord with more than 28 years of faithful pastoral leadership, dynamic preaching, and visionary service to the body of Christ.

As Senior Pastor of Merriweather Global Ministries – Tabernacle of Praise Church, Dr. Miller’s passion for God’s Word and unwavering commitment to Kingdom building continue to impact lives locally, nationally, and globally.

A distinguished scholar and media visionary, he serves as President of the Unified International Convention Online and Global Expansion President of LV Network, advancing the gospel through education and technology worldwide.

With integrity, power, and vision, Dr. Miller’s ministry stands as a living testimony that “He who began a good work is faithful to complete it.”

Our Cover Exclusive Rev. Dr. T. Welcome Miller Jr. Shares: Balancing Local and Global Ministry Effectively How Today’s Pastor Can Serve the Neighborhood and the Nations Without Losing Either Once, ministry was measured by pews filled on Sunday morning. Now, with livestream worship and global partnerships, pastors find themselves preaching to both the neighborhood and the nations. The challenge is maintaining balance—serving locally while reaching globally. Jesus’ command to “go into all the world” (Mark 16:15) never canceled His call to love our neighbor. Local ministry reflects compassion in action; global ministry expands that compassion across borders. The same heart that feeds a family nearby can build a well abroad—the mission is one, the horizon wider. Strong global impact grows from strong local roots. Jesus began in Nazareth before reaching Judea, Samaria, and beyond. Churches that serve faithfully at home develop the discipleship and stewardship needed to sustain global outreach. True mission work is relational, not transactional. Rather than sending occasional aid, form lasting partnerships with ministries that share your vision. When relationship replaces charity, transformation flows both ways. Pastors are called to equip, not to carry everything alone. Develop outreach teams and global mission leaders who share responsibility and vision. Balanced ministry comes from developing others, not doing it all.

Technology has made the world our congregation. Use digital platforms intentionally— to disciple, connect, and uplift—rather than to perform. Ministry online should extend your reach, not dilute your focus. Strategy sustains nothing without Spirit. Prayer keeps the pastor centered between local needs and global demands. Before launching another initiative, ask, “Lord, where are You already working—and how can we join You there?” The Kingdom of God is both near and far. When churches feed the hungry, mentor youth, and support missions abroad, they embody Acts 1:8—witnesses in Jerusalem and to the ends of the earth. In the end, the world doesn’t need bigger ministries—it needs balanced ones: churches that love deeply where they are and reach faithfully where they are called. “The same compassion that feeds a hungry family in the neighborhood also fuels the mission that builds a well in another nation.”

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

The Pastor’s Harvest: Reaping What You’ve Sown Theme: Thanksgiving, Gratitude, and Ministry Reflection

By T. Gipson Jr. Photographs by Getty There comes a sacred season in every pastor’s life when the soil of ministry speaks. The plow has been in your hand all year—breaking up fallow ground, sowing seeds of faith, watering hope in dry places. But in this harvest season, the Lord whispers, “You have labored well.”

Thanksgiving is not merely a day; it is a rhythm of remembrance. The mature shepherd understands that every fruit in the congregation—every restored marriage, every baptized believer, every healed heart—is evidence of divine partnership. Paul said it best: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

As pastors, we must pause and take inventory of the fields entrusted to our care. The harvest is not always visible in numbers; sometimes it is hidden in the quiet faithfulness of those who return week after week because you preached through your pain.

This season, before you prepare another sermon, take a moment to thank God for the unseen increase—the growth in character, the deepened compassion, the grace that sustains your calling. Gratitude is the key that turns work into worship and harvest into holiness.

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Happy

THANKSGIVING T H A N K F U L L FO R YO U A L L !

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Emmanuel: God With Us - Even in Ministry Theme: Christmas Worship and Presence “Emmanuel—God with us.” Three words that changed the entire rhythm of human history. Yet for the weary pastor, they mean something even more personal: God is with you in the pulpit, in the pressure, and in the pauses between sermons.

The wonder of Christmas is not found in the grandness of the service but in the nearness of His presence. While others celebrate the story of Bethlehem, the pastor is living it—making room for Christ in overcrowded schedules and underfed souls.

When the angel declared that Christ would be called Emmanuel, it wasn’t a poetic flourish—it was a promise. The same God who stepped into the straw and chaos of a stable

now

steps

into

your

ministry

moments.

So, as you prepare the worship, light the candles, and lift the hymns, remember: the greatest miracle of this season is not what you preach—it’s who stands beside you as you preach. God is with us. God is with you.

MERRY

Christmas AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

THE PASTOR’S REST FINDING PEACE IN THE SEASON OF PRESSURE

BY TONY MITSON

Theme: Soul Care, Renewal, and Sabbath Rhythm

The year’s end often demands more than it gives. Programs, sermons, and expectations pile high while the pastor’s soul whispers for stillness. Yet Jesus’ invitation remains unchanged: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Rest is not laziness; it is alignment. It’s the quiet confession that the church belongs to God, not to us. Without rest, even revelation becomes routine.

As ministry leaders, we must model the rhythm of grace—working from rest, not merely resting from work. Set aside sacred space for silence. Let prayer become less about words and more about listening. Let worship restore rather than drain.

In the stillness, you’ll find that peace is not the absence of problems; it’s the awareness of His presence. As you step into a new year, resist the urge to restart without restoration. A weary shepherd cannot lead refreshed sheep.

MERRY

CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

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Faith Still Shines: Leading Through the Darkest Nights Theme: Advent, Hope, and the Light of Christ

by Dr. Tonya Gipson Miller

Advent reminds us that even when the world grows dark, faith still shines. For pastors, the holidays can be both holy and heavy. Between candlelight services, family responsibilities, and the weariness of another long year, we are called to proclaim light while fighting our own shadows.

But the message of Christmas is not about the strength of our flame—it’s about the Source of our light. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).

When you stand at the pulpit this December, remember: you are not simply preaching about Bethlehem’s star; you are embodying it. Every sermon, every prayer, every act of kindness is a flicker of divine illumination to someone lost in night.

Let the sanctuary glow with the warmth of hope. Remind the congregation that the same God who appeared in a manger still appears in the middle of chaos. And when you feel the darkness pressing close, whisper to your own heart, “Faith still shines.”

C

MERRY

HRISTMAS

Merry Christmas!

May the light of Christ fill your heart and home with peace, joy, and renewed faith. As we celebrate the Savior’s birth, may His love remind you that hope still shines, grace still abounds, and God is still with us— Emmanuel, forever near.

FAITH STILL SHINES

Leading Through the Darkest Nights Theme: Advent, Hope, and the Light of Christ

by Tammy Duggard

Advent reminds us that even when the world grows dark, faith still shines. For pastors, the holidays can be both holy and heavy. Between candlelight services, family responsibilities, and the weariness of another long year, we are called to proclaim light while fighting our own shadows.

But the message of Christmas is not about the strength of our flame—it’s about the Source of our light.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).

When you stand at the pulpit this December, remember: you are not simply preaching about Bethlehem’s star; you are embodying it. Every sermon, every prayer, every act of kindness is a flicker of divine illumination to someone lost in night.

Let the sanctuary glow with the warmth of hope. Remind the congregation that the same God who appeared in a manger still appears in the middle of chaos. And when you feel the darkness pressing close, whisper to your own heart, “Faith still shines.”