Ramon J. Canals

I began my ministry in a church with more than 300 members. Wanting to serve effectively, I asked members to share the three most important things they expected from me. Their answers varied, but one stood out: “Pastor, we want you to stay…

After preaching my heart out at one of my churches, I was driving back home with my family when my five-year-old son said to me, “Dad, I really liked your sermon today.” Feeling proud of myself, I answered, “Thank you, my son, but what was…

Have you ever had to make a split-second decision? As a pastor you are constantly faced with decisions. Some decisions shape our days, while others define our lives. At times we have the luxury of careful thought. Other times life demands…

One of the churches I had the privilege of pastoring faced a tough decision: move to another building or continue worshiping in the same one we had used for years. As with most big decisions, some members were in favor of moving, while others…

At a recent Ministerial Council meeting with more than 200 pastors in attendance, a psychologist presented an assignment: “I want you to get into groups of two and write a list of seven ways ministry has negatively impacted your life. After…

With a shattered heart, Olivia walked through the rubble of what had once been her home. A terrible category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 115 miles per hour (185 kilometers per hour) had destroyed everything—her house, peace, and hopes…

When I was baptized, my pastor said, “Now you are a missionary for Jesus.” At the time, I did not fully understand what he meant. Like many new believers, I had read stories of mis­sionaries traveling overseas. Though admiring their courage,…

Some time ago, I received a call from my conference president informing me that I had been assigned to another district. I was surprised, to say the least, since I had been in my current district for only a few years. Why were they moving…

Returning from a long trip, Juan Mann arrived in his hometown of Sydney, Australia. He felt sad and depressed. At the airport arrival gate, he saw many people joyfully welcoming their loved ones with signs saying “Welcome Home.” But no one…

Convicted by the Holy Spirit, a young man approached me after listening to a sermon emphasizing the importance of obedience to the Word of God.

“How can I live a holy life when I am involved in a homosexual relationship?” he asked.…

In July 1961, Vince Lombardi, head coach of the Green Bay Packers, established the foundation for what would later become a legendary chapter in American football history. His approach to the first day of training camp was unconventional,…

Please prepare twenty robes for the baptism we have planned for our church next month,” I requested of my head deacon.

“Pastor,” he responded, “we’ve never baptized more than six people at a time in this church. In fact, we only possess…

A few years ago, I led a group of missionaries to the Dominican Republic to conduct evangelistic meetings and community services. We stayed in a hotel near the beach, and the view was spectacular. During our daily worship gatherings, I often…

Henry Frasca, a nine-year-old boy from Massachusetts, learned that a player from an opposing team was discouraged because he had fallen into a batting slump. Henry felt compelled to act when he observed that Davis was entrenched in a 0-for-54…

Have you ever asked, What does the ideal church look like? As a young pastor, I had an idea of the perfect church. I left seminary with a mental picture of such a church, and I even identified the church. I did not tell anyone, but secretly…

I was captivated by the stunning flower arrangements in the home I was visiting. Their beauty and lifelike appearance compelled me to commend the homeowners. However, my initial admiration was tempered upon learning that the flowers were…

Walter Mischel, a psychologist at Stanford University, conducted a groundbreaking study known as the Stanford marshmallow experiment. This study focused on understanding self-control and self-denial in children, revealing the long-term benefits…

I sat there in disbelief. I could not imagine what I was witnessing. The once peaceful business meeting had turned into chaos and confusion, with church members shouting and almost coming to blows over the proposed move and merger. This meeting…

Hanging on one of the walls in my house is a beautiful nature scene with Psalm 46:10, which reads, “Be still, and know that I am God.” This is a daily reminder of the most important thing in my life—to know God. But it also reminds me that…

Have you ever had a problem you thought you could solve yourself, only to discover it was beyond you? A few years ago, I was dealing with an ingrown toenail. It was painful. I tried to fix the problem by cutting it out but only made it worse.…

Your church may not have a sign that reads “For Members Only” but if we are not actively, persistently, and intentionally inviting people to come in, it is like having an invisible sign that prevents people from visiting our churches. I will…

I was invited to speak at a church of more than a thousand members in Los Angeles. As the Sabbath School superintendent gave her opening remarks, I noticed that a couple hundred people were in attendance. A few hundred more trickled in toward…

I began my ministry at a time when Sabbath School attendance was not a problem. Sabbath School in the churches I pastored was always well attended. The classes were engaging, exciting, and meaningful. Sadly, that is not now the case in some…

Every pastor knows the subtle but undeniable truth: our greatest influence is not what we say, but who we are. Years ago, a commercial portrayed a young boy caught smoking. When his shocked father demanded, “Where did you learn this?” the…

On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 lives from across the world were lost in a devastating terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. It was one of our darkest days. Families grieved and cried out for justice, a longing…

When I was 13 years old, I asked my father to teach me how to operate the Linotype machine—a massive, clattering device used to produce newspapers, books, and magazines. He looked at me and said, “If you learn the keys on a keyboard, I’ll…