Today is the official release of my newest book, entitled, “On Pastoring: A Short Guide to Living, Leading, and Ministering as a Pastor." It is a companion, of sorts, to my previous book, On Preaching. I have been a pastor all of my adult life, serving congregations in California and Florida. I began my first pastorate in 1990 at the age of seventeen, succeeding my father’s 40-plus year ministry at the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. I was senior in high school. Yet this historic, established congregation called me to lead them. I served that congregation for...

Congratulations to my niece, Aysia Smith, on graduating today from California State University in Sacramento! It was a joy to talk in biblical preaching at the inaugural John A. Reed Jr. Institute at the Fairview Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. I was privileged to attend the board meeting of The Gospel Coalition in Chicago. I am speechless with appreciation for the opportunity to be a fly on the wall as a guest. What a blessing! Check out the Stephen John Thurston Interview.  David Prince: Why Legalistic Preaching Doesn't Work Jordan Pickering: Preacher, Teacher, Sunday Entertainer Kent Hughes: Power of Public...

Happy Mother's Day to my Mother, Ellen Charles! And happy Mother's Day to my wife, Crystal Charles, and the mother of my three terrorists... I mean, children! It was a joy to preach at the Piedmont Bible Conference this week, hosted by Pastor Stoney Enfield and the Prospect Baptist Church in Albermarle, North Carolina. Check out the latest episode of The On Preaching Podcast: Seven Ways to Become a Better Preacher GUEST POST: Book Review of my new book "On Pastoring" (Available June 7, 2016)  Russell Moore: A White Church No More Aaron Earls: 5 Reasons Church Leaders Should Pay...

The following is a guest post written by Kyle Robertson from NetGalley in review of my new book "On Pastoring" published by Moody Publishers (Available June 7, 2016). Pastor Charles has delivered a fascinating and well written book regarding pastoral ministry. I will begin by letting you know I am not a pastor. I work in the medical field, but I have served as a deacon in my church for the past two years. I try my best to encourage and support my pastor in his ministry and personal life, and I thought that reading this book might help give me...

A young preacher friend recently texted me. He was asked to preach a funeral for a family. It would be his first. And he wanted to know if I had any advice to offer him. I responded by mentioning a podcast I did on preaching funeral sermons: “Preaching Funeral Sermons.” I also offered offered several pieces of advice. It was a text-message. Not the way to elaborate. Yet I shared this advice with my friend: Brief. Gospel-centered. Be sensitive to family. There are other important factors to consider when preaching funerals. But these three pieces of advice are a good...

My wife, Crystal, and I am in Los Angeles today to attend the memorial service for my pastor's (Dr. Melvin V. Wade, Sr.) mother: Mrs. Mary Wade. Prayers appreciated. Shout-Out to R. Wayne Briant for the opportunity to speak at the Southwest Florida Evangelistic Conference with Dr. Stephen Nelson Rummage in Sarasota this past Monday. Check out my new article: Reflections On My First T4G Conference. NOTE: Clear here to see videos of all T4G main session speakers.  Here is the latest episode on The On Preaching Podcast: Praying for Sunday's Sermon Jesse Johnson: Should You Use Illustrations from Movies?  John MacArthur:...

I attended the Together for the Gospel Conference in Louisville for the first time last week. It is a biennial conference for pastors led by Mark Dever, Albert Mohler, Ligon Duncan, and C.J. Mahaney. I have heard about T4G from its inception. I have seen the videos from past meetings. I have purchased the books produced from the messages. I have heard good reports from friends who have attended. But schedule conflicts have prevented me from attending, until this year. I unspeakably grateful that I was able to attend this year. My week began Monday by participating in the Council...

My big brother, Kevin Willis, was there to hear me preach my first sermon, at the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. I was a boy preacher, eleven years old. It was some years before he heard me preach again. Kevin was in town to preach a meeting. He was scheduled to preach at 3:30. And I had a preaching engagement later that evening. Of course, I went to hear my brother preach. And he came to hear me after he his meeting. I was "on" that night. I preached one of my "sticks" - a familiar sermon I had...

Saturday Shout-outs are back! I have not posted SSO in several weeks, because of glitches that needed to be addresses. Thanks for your patience support! Be on the lookout for my new book, "On Pastoring." It is a short guide to living and leading as a pastor, scheduled to be released June 7, 2016 by Moody Publishers. Check out my latest post: "Who's Holding You Up?" Make sure you check out the latest episode of The On Preaching Podcast: How I Prepare to Preach. The elders of the Shiloh Church spent several days this week on retreat to pray and...

During a recent sermon, I shared an illustration I have used during counseling sessions over the years. It was very different doing this illustration in the pulpit, rather than in front of one or two persons across a desk. And I typically do not use any type of multimedia in my preaching. I typically just go to the pulpit with my Bible, and a half-sheet a sermon notes, if necessary. But I tried something a little different. And I think it got the point across I was trying to make about loving difficult people and being faithful in difficult relationships. After a...

Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do... - 1 Chronicles 12:32 Equipping Leaders to grow Churches, connect with Communities to transform an unchurched Culture The Ralph Douglas West Ministries extends a special invitation to all pastors, church staff, and congregational leaders to the 2016 Issachar Church Growth & Development Conference. The challenging and informative conference will take place April 26-28, 2016, at the Church Without Walls in Houston Texas. The purpose of the Issachar Conference is to equip today's church leaders with the necessary tools that will enable him or her to...

Thank you to everyone who sent kind words for my birthday this week (2/11). I was already an old man at 21-years-old. At 43, I am now ancient!!! A big shout-out to my Mom, Ellen Charles, whose birthday is the day before mine (2/10). She usually comes to JAX for us to spend our birthdays together. This was the first time I went to OKC to be with her. Good times. Love you, Mom! Hope to see you at Together For The Gospel in Louisville – April 12-14, 2016. Ralph Douglas West and the Church Without Walls will host the Isaachar...