I love getting to know our contributors. To read about their favorite books, authors, music and movies, I am reminded that they are people just like you and me. I really enjoy hearing about their morning routines and their advice on keeping their relationship with Jesus alive and vibrant. This week, we had the privilege of hearing from Dr. James Merritt.
Dr. James Merritt served as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2000 to 2002, and is currently serving as the Lead Pastor at Cross Pointe Church in Duluth, Georgia. He is committed to preaching God’s Word in a clear and concise manner. Let’s listen in to some insights on life and ministry from Dr. James Merritt.
What is the best part of your job?
Preaching the Word and seeing lives transformed
Do you have any advice for preparing sermons?
Develop a filing system and prioritize the time in the study
Do you have any advice for how to keep your walk with Jesus vibrant and alive?
Begin every day with the Word and prayer and keep sharing Jesus
Do you have any advice on how to balance your walk with God, your family, and your ministry?
Keep God first, family second, and church a DISTANT third. Schedule daily and weekly times together and a good yearly vacation with family.
Can you share some advice for Pastors starting out in the ministry?
Don’t get too high in the highs nor too low in the lows. Preach the Word and do the work of an evangelist. Don’t ever counsel with or be with a woman alone—ever.
Now for a few rapid fire questions.
Caf or Decaf
Neither
Last Movie You Watched
The Jungle Book
Books on Your Nightstand
Sending by Losing by J. D. Greear
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
Same-Sex Attraction and the Church by Ed Shaw
Black Flags: The Rise of ISIS by Joby Warrick
The Anatomy of Greatness: Lessons From the Best Golf Swings in History by Brandel Chamblee
Our Lost Constitution by Senator Mike Lee
Favorite Books(s) of the Bible
James and John; Acts; Romans
Favorite Verse(s)
John 14:6
Top 5 Authors
Max Lucado, Mark Batterson, Chuck Swindoll, John Stott, David McCullough
What Does Your Morning Routine Look Like
Quiet time, Workout, Study
What Day Do You Take off to Unwind
Friday
How Do You Unwind
Golf
Best Movie You’ve Seen
Tie: The Sting, Gladiator, Outlaw Josey Wales, Braveheart, The Godfather
Biggest Influence Growing Up
My mom
Worship Songs You Are Listening to Right Now
How Great Is Our God, Flawless, Amazing Grace (Tomlin)
Charcoal or Gas
Charcoal—Big Green Egg
So there it is. A challenging and encouraging Q & A session with Dr. James Merritt. I hope you were stretched in your faith and received some very real and practical advice on how you can stay true to your calling as a preacher of God’s Word. I particularly appreciated his advice for pastors just starting out in the ministry. Those words definitely apply to both new pastors as well as those who have pursued this calling for years.
