Ava Pennington

Crosswalk.com Contributor

A Pastor's Prayer for Believers

Being called to ministry includes a call to pray for those to whom we’re ministering. That’s usually easy to identify when the prayer requests are...

November 15, 2019

A Pastor's Prayer for Believers

5 Things Your Kid Should Understand before She Gets Her First Smart Phone

Once you have decided to give her a smart phone, here’s what she needs to know before you place te phone in her hands.

October 24, 2017

5 Things Your Kid Should Understand before She Gets Her First Smart Phone

3 Online Trends Parents Need to Warn Their Kids About

Did you know that 70% of teens hide their online activity, 59% interact online with strangers, and one in twelve will meet that stranger in real...

3 Online Trends Parents Need to Warn Their Kids About

3 Messages Pastors Should Never be Afraid to Preach

So what should we be repeating in our ministries? A survey of Scripture reveals several recurring topics, most of which revolve around the theme of...

November 11, 2016

3 Messages Pastors Should Never be Afraid to Preach

Why I Want to be Remembered for What I'm For (Not Against)

I will stand for morality and against a sinful secular culture, but I will do it with a tender heart and tears in my eyes.

Why I Want to be Remembered for What I'm For (Not Against)

6 Ways to Prevent Christmas Ministry Fatigue

The Christmas season doesn’t have to consume us with stress and fatigue. By being intentional, we can ensure that the joy of the season infuses us...

December 11, 2014

6 Ways to Prevent Christmas Ministry Fatigue

8 Keys to Responding to False Teachers

Pastors and ministry leaders have a responsibility to shepherd those in their ministries. But what should we do when the danger comes from other...

October 13, 2014

8 Keys to Responding to False Teachers

9 Ways to Encourage the Parents of Prodigals

There are 6 things parents of prodigals are ready to STOP hearing, but 9 ways to encourage and be a friend to them.

September 10, 2014

9 Ways to Encourage the Parents of Prodigals

4 Ways Pastors can Proclaim Christ to the World

We are role models, whether we intend to be or not. Ministry really is life in the proverbial fishbowl. So what example are we providing those in...

August 11, 2014

4 Ways Pastors can Proclaim Christ to the World

5 Ways Pastors Can Keep from Burning Out

“Always on, always here for you.” It’s a great slogan for a radio station…but not for a ministry leader.

5 Ways Pastors Can Keep from Burning Out

Why I Use Male Pronouns for God

God isn’t just another imperfect father figure. He’s not a deadbeat dad, a philandering papa, or an absentee parent. He is the perfect, holy...

Why I Use Male Pronouns for God

The Tension of Preparation and Prayer

Tension is not limited to tightropes and violins. Life is all about tension. Growth and decay. Light and dark. We see it in our spiritual lives,...

The Tension of Preparation and Prayer

7 Things Pastors’ Wives Wish You Knew

In honor of the women in our lives and in our churches, I surveyed a group of pastors’ wives for their thoughts on ministry and marriage to...

7 Things Pastors’ Wives Wish You Knew

6 Ways to Manage Easter Expectations

This is not a game. Not a sport. Not a show. And perfection? Not a chance. So before Easter arrives, now is the time to manage expectations.

6 Ways to Manage Easter Expectations

Learning to Speak a New Language

"Christianese" can become a barrier to sharing the good news. But speaking the world’s language offers people a mere imitation of what they already...

Learning to Speak a New Language

Find the “Extra” in the Ordinary

Greatness – in the way it is generally understood - is not extolled in Scripture. Again and again, Jesus explained the way to greatness is the way...

February 18, 2014

Find the “Extra” in the Ordinary

10 Social Media Mistakes in Ministry

Social media can be your ministry’s best friend or worst enemy. But gone are the days when it can be ignored.

January 10, 2014

10 Social Media Mistakes in Ministry

Ten Steps to Prevent Ministry Burnout

Maybe you’re thinking about stepping away from a commitment you’ve made as you face a new ministry season. Before you do, keep reading.

September 27, 2013

Ten Steps to Prevent Ministry Burnout