Pastor. Teacher. Missionary. Teach God’s Word.
About me
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
I chose this verse as my life verse in my late teens, because it seemed to capture well the aspiration of my heart—to live Christ’s life through me. Little did I know all the richness of this one verse that I would discover as my life was spent studying and teaching the Bible in multiple settings and circumstances.
I was born into a family that knew and believed the Gospel, even if very imperfectly. I don’t say that to disparage my family, but to highlight that the understanding of the Gospel under which had been raised and lived was a rather legalistic form that was not very “grace-rich.”
Even so, I sensed God calling me to serve him from a young age, and when at a Christian college, I had the opportunity to pursue training for ministry as well as practical ministry opportunities. It was there I came to this verse.
Over 40 years of study and ministry experience have shown me just how little I knew then of the Gospel’s work. But I’m grateful that the more I learned, the more this verse became my anchor and my hope.
It is my hope that this website and its resources will make the truth of this verse just a bit clearer and more precious for you.
“With the mind of a theologian, the heart of a pastor, and sharp wit of a writer, Craig Miller always provides a delightful read. A lifetime of ministry and wisdom provides depth you can trust and will encourage everyone who take the time to listen.”
— Dr. Christopher Miller, Distinguished Professor of Old Testament, Cedarville University
Here’s a bit more background on my ministry life
Pastor
My main ministry has been the high privilege of being a congregation’s pastor. In fact, serving three different congregations in very different circumstances over 40 years, I have never tired of the calling to shepherd the flock of God, whether preaching, encouraging, or developing strategies for ministry—it has been a true joy. I’m thankful to be still called “pastor” by many whose lives have been intertwined with mine in these settings over the years. whether in the inner-city, an affluent suburb, or a small college town.
Teacher
In addition to preaching to my congregation weekly, I’ve had the added joy of teaching classes in Bible colleges and Christian universities in the U.S. and overseas. My courses have covered expository preaching, spiritual formation, basic theology, and the history of revival. I love students and the opportunity to help them learn—in fact, I have tried to evaluate my teaching by the maxim of the late Howard Hendricks, that unless someone learns, teaching hasn’t taken place.
Missionary
As a child, I thought I’d be a missionary—from the time I was eight years old I assumed it. In college, a mission trip seemed to confirm it. Kathy and I both thought we’d be missionaries when we got married. We looked into it, and I even applied for work with a mission. It didn’t happen then. But now, after a lifetime of promoting missions in local churches and doing short term trips, we have joined a mission and are embarking on a new chapter. Check the Ministry Update page for more…
Writer
The written word has played a vital role in every aspect of my ministry life. I’ve enjoyed writing lessons and curricula for study and teaching, articles for edification, doctrinal studies, and blog posts. Writing helps me clarify my thinking, and I hope it helps others think well, too. In this season of life, I want to write more, and I want to write more broadly. You will have to be the judge as to whether this is warranted when you read my blog.
Mentor
Training others for ministry isn’t just a seminary’s work. One of the most important gifts I received is one I have sought to pass along over my years in ministry—bringing younger staff beside me to learn the practice of pastoral work. My first “boss” and mentor started giving me hands-on experience on Day 1. Since then, I’ve been blessed to train pastors, missionaries, and people now holding a variety of other ministry positions as well.
Consultant
I suppose when you have been involved in organized ministry (is that an oxymoron?) long enough you have learned transferable lessons to share. At least you’ve made the mistakes you can help others avoid. In forty years of pastoral, education, and mission work, I’ve gained some knowledge to share. It’s been a joy to be a part of consulting work for churches and ministries looking to make changes or avoid mistakes.