Steve Taylor

[Steve Taylor @stvtaylor]

@RBrianGass I'm sitting to the left of the cameras in the main hall in a red Mickey Mouse shirt if you still have it. My registration didn't go through and would like a ticket.

[HKS Architects @HKSArchitects]

It's time to reveal D.C.'s next civic landmark.

Together with the District, we’re dedicated to delivering a world-class stadium for the @Commanders. Learn more: https://t.co/LyY5gWeYsy

[HKS Architects @HKSArchitects]

@Commanders We can't get enough of it, so here's one more image.

[Arlington National Cemetery @ArlingtonNatl]

On June 2, 2025, Sergeant of the Guard Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Jay took his final walk as a Tomb Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. In a powerful farewell, he laid roses at each crypt of the Unknown Soldiers, then walked off the plaza hand in hand with his 8-year-old son, Finn.

[Brad Whitt @DrBradWhitt]

Five Hard Things Nobody Tells You About Being a Pastor

They’ll tell you how to craft a sermon, lead a staff, and moderate a business meeting. They’ll teach you to parse Greek verbs and structure a strategic plan. But very few will tell you about the pressure and pain that often comes with the calling.

And that’s what this is.

Not to discourage you. But to prepare and encourage you.

Because if God’s called you to this work, these five hard truths won’t disqualify you—they’ll refine you. They’re part of what it means to pastor well. And with each one comes grace, strength, and hope.

1. You’ll Bleed in the Same Places You Bless.

You’ll love deeply, pray passionately, invest personally—and sometimes get betrayed profoundly.

The same people you’ve counseled and comforted may one day criticize you unfairly or leave without explanation. It’s disorienting. Painful. Personal.

Jesus knows exactly what that’s like. “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John ). The betrayal didn’t disqualify Him—it revealed His love.

What do you do? Don’t let bitterness take root. Keep short accounts. Preach grace, and live it. If ministry wounds you, let it also drive you closer to the only One who was wounded for you. God often uses the deepest hurts to develop the deepest compassion. That’s part of how He makes you a true shepherd.

2. Your Family Will Live in a Glass House.

Your wife will feel it. Your kids will too. The glances. The whispers. The pressure to be perfect.

What most don’t realize is that while you’re giving your all to the church, your family often pays a price nobody else sees. They carry your burdens. They endure the pace. They give up time with you so others can have it.

What do you do? Protect your family at all costs. Set boundaries. Keep your word to them. Guard your day off. Say “no” when you need to. Take your wife on dates. Show up for your kids’ games and recitals. Remind your church that your first ministry is your family. And let your children grow up loving the church—not resenting it.

The health of your home will either sustain or sabotage your long-term ministry.

3. You’ll Preach Faith While Wrestling with Doubt.

There will be weeks you stand up to preach while walking through a storm yourself. You’ll open the Word with a broken heart. You’ll encourage others while wondering if the breakthrough will ever come for you.

That doesn’t make you a hypocrite. It makes you human.

Here’s what you do: Keep going. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans )—that means your own preaching can feed your faith too. Be honest with God. Talk to a trusted friend. Stay grounded in the Word. And know this: God often does His deepest work in you when you feel the weakest.

You’re not alone. Elijah doubted. John the Baptist questioned. Paul despaired. But God still used them—and He will use you too.

4. Success Will Be Harder to Measure Than You Think.

Pastoring in the social media age tempts us to measure everything—followers, likes, attendance, baptisms, budget growth. And when those numbers dip, your confidence can too.

But here’s the reality: Faithfulness isn’t always flashy. And fruitfulness isn’t always fast.

Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 25:21: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Not “famous.” Not “followed.” Faithful. That’s the goal.

Keep sowing seeds, even when it feels slow. Water the work with prayer. Stay obedient. You’ll never fully see on earth what God is doing through your ministry. But one day, you will.

In the meantime, let eternity—not applause—be your scoreboard.

5. You’ll Want to Quit More Than Once.

Nobody tells you how heavy the call can feel at times.

You’ll want to quit after a contentious meeting, a critical email, or a week when the sermon didn’t land and the room felt half empty. You’ll wonder if you're making a difference—or just making noise.

But the fact that you feel that weight? That means you care. And that’s not a weakness. That’s a sign of a pastor's heart.

What do you do? Rest if you must. (Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap.) Talk to someone. (No, that's not being a wimp.) Take a sabbath. But don’t quit just because it’s hard. God never promised pastoring would be easy—but He did promise to be with you. And He who called you is faithful, who also will do it (1 Thessalonians ).

If God hasn’t released you, then stay faithful where He’s planted you. The feelings will pass. The call will remain.

BONUS: The Call Will Cost You—But It’s Worth It.

This isn’t a job. It’s not a career. It’s a divine calling. And yes, the call will cost you. It’ll cost your time, your comfort, your preferences, and sometimes your peace. But it’s worth it. Because you’re giving your life to what matters most—souls, eternity, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

And one day, when you stand before the Chief Shepherd, He won’t measure your worth by your numbers, your building size, or your platform. He’ll look for faithfulness.

So press on, brother pastor. Stay faithful. Keep going. Heaven is watching and cheering you on. And it’s still worth it.

#pastorlife #pastoralministry #ministry #pastorsarepeopletoo #fivethingsbook

[Eric Sully @CommandersRealm]

Olamide Zaccheaus today, (who the eagles neglected to re-sign):

5 catches, 70 yards, 2 TD’s.

Jahan Dotson today, (who the Eagles traded a 3rd round pick to Washington for):

0 catches, 0 yards, 0 TD’s.

[Steve Taylor @stvtaylor]

@George_iloka Same stopwatch on #20. He had same time, and pulled up completely.

[Steve Taylor @stvtaylor]

#MacysParade Take note of @jimmyfallon as he has a clear umbrella. Anyone with an umbrella should have a CLEAR umbrella.

[Steve Taylor @stvtaylor]

Since NAMB gave out tiny cars, where is the orange track for us to race each other to see whose car is the best? #sbc24

[Steve Taylor @stvtaylor]

I am afraid that when I look in the mirror tonight, @craigCulbreth1 will appear behind me. #sbc24

[SportsCenter @SportsCenter]

No. 1 Tennessee hadn't ...

⚾️ Given up 10+ runs in a tourney game in 23 years
⚾️ Lost a 4-run lead in 141 straight games

EVANSVILLE DID THAT! 😱

[11Point7 College Baseball @11point7]

Evansville might be the hottest team in America

[Chris Bryant @HogfarmerChris]

I want to spread some love to a fellow @Commanders fans.

I'm giving away this package i got from the 2024 NFL draft.

I'll randomly pick someone that:
✅️Like
✅️Shares
✅️ Follows @TheHogfarmers. ❤️🎗

If you already follow, you're one step closer. #RaiseHail

[Washington Commanders @Commanders]

We have a few of our 2024 draft hats to give away...repost for a chance to win one 🙌🧢

Rules: https://t.co/J8NXHD7VUA

[Steve Taylor @stvtaylor]

@XMenUpdate I absolutely did not tear up watching it, and no one else was here to prove otherwise.

[Steve Taylor @stvtaylor]

@BurgundyBlog @EricMineart @WhatupImAustin For me, it was the 360 degree sunset. Imagine a beautiful sunset sky around the entire horizon. Then look at the sun and see it's corona glowing and think we are the only planet in the solar system that this occurs. It is special. It's great with a large group of people to share

[Steve Taylor @stvtaylor]

Whoever did sound editing for #TheFloor needs to be re-trained.

[MrBeast @MrBeast]

I’m gonna give 10 random people that repost this and follow me $25,000 for fun (the $250,000 my X video made)

I’ll pick the winners in 72 hours

[Steve Taylor @stvtaylor]

@townhallcom Proof that context matters. https://t.co/UVzkkhuF53

[Albert Mohler @albertmohler]

"Go and sin no more: Andy Stanley doubles down on his departure from Biblical Christianity" — my column today at WORLD Opinions. @WNGdotorg
https://t.co/G9YKvul40K