During a recent pastoral conference, I had an opportunity to interview three Texas pastors about “real ministry” during a public forum. Their answers were so compelling I asked to share them with our readers. These gracious pastors agreed. While space does not allow me to share all their answers, the following excerpts come from the eye-opening conversation (with an occasional comment from others in the room who took part in the three-hour dialogue).
Meet the Pastors
Kyle Howell (Beth) is the pastor of Authentic Church in Victoria, Texas. In ministry more than two decades, Kyle holds a degree in pastoral ministry, a master’s degree in biblical studies, and is working toward his doctorate in apologetics. He describes his place of ministry as a racially diverse, blue-collar working town with many challenges, including a large homeless population.
Los Angeles, California, native Gabe Montez (Erika) pastors Bright Light FWB Church just outside College Station, Texas. Gabe holds a degree in theology, a master’s degree in mental health and wellness, and a doctorate in spiritual formation. He describes his area as an established rural community gradually being overtaken by new homes. His congregation largely commutes in from other locations, and while balanced between young families and seniors, the church lacks young adults.
Randy Puckett (Shelley) is the founding pastor of Eagle Heights Church in Richmond, Texas. A graduate of Randall University, Randy describes his place of ministry as extraordinarily diverse, an area where metropolitan Houston meets large suburbs. This diversity is reflected in the largely upper-middle class church family.
What part of the ministry do you love most, and what part of the ministry is your greatest struggle?
Kyle Howell: I love one-on-one conversations with people who have sincere questions about the Bible. I struggle with people leaving, or who are unengaged. But perhaps my greatest struggle is just trying to do it all myself. I’ve got to get away from that!
Gabe Montez: My greatest blessing is when the congregation prays together and enjoys doing it. Recently, I asked a young mother, who is new to the faith, if we could pray for her. When she agreed, we put her and her family in the middle of the entire church family, and we all prayed. It was moving for all of us. I struggle when people leave the church — just disappear after you have poured your life into them. It is heartbreaking, and I find myself grieving when they leave.
Randy Puckett: I love fellowship dinners (and not for the obvious reason). It is a blessing to walk in and see people sitting together that I would never expect — God putting people together who typically would never connect. I struggle when I see other church leaders get more from my people than I do. I’m afraid I don’t want to put people out, so I don’t ask them to get involved. And because I don’t ask them, I rob them of a blessing, a chance to grow and develop.
How has church ministry changed since you began your ministry?
Kyle Howell: Progressivism is growing rapidly, and the progressive church is a very liberal church. Evangelical Christians who believe in the literal Word of God are diminishing quickly, and we have a front row to all kinds of craziness in the name of Christianity.
For me, I love being in this time because of my interest in apologetics. This environment is leading people to ask questions, to go deeper in their faith. The world has flipped; good is evil and evil is good. In church ministry, we must be ready — ready for hard questions, constantly reminding our congregation and visitors their questions are always welcome. We must understand we are going counter-cultural now. There is not as much “fast fruit.” It takes time to grow the fruit, and we must be patient...committed to the whole race. It’s a marathon of discipleship.
Randy Puckett: Our whole culture has changed. We live in a post-Christian era, with less acceptance of the Word of God and different priorities on church attendance. Back in the day, events were never scheduled on Wednesday and Sunday nights — those were church nights. Now, I lose people regularly to sports tournaments, concerts, and community events. And, after the pandemic, even my most faithful members had a two-year layoff in expectations. It has been hard to recover.
What do you see as a significant challenge facing your local congregation today? And how would you meet that challenge?
Kyle Howell: For me, that is a simple answer: discipleship. Taking the next step in faith. So many people are right there, ready to grow, and they just won’t take the next steps to deeper faith. We start small, one-on-one, leaders developing leaders, and it grows outward from there.
Gabe Montez: From the get-go, my greatest challenge has been helping a long-established, shrinking congregation embrace change and be open to a new (and difficult) congregation representing every worldview and life experience — eventually accepting these newcomers as brothers and sisters. Embracing the “tough element” from our community has been hard even for me, and I know it is even harder for my church members.
Randy Puckett: Our people have everything materially, but I sometimes worry they are rich but actually poor, as Jesus described the church in Revelation. Our challenge is helping people engage with the gospel and serve. People will give money but not time. What I really want is an hour or two where they engage in ministry and are changed. In our environment, it is easy to become lukewarm. When some people achieve financial success, they begin to view God as a resource, not the Source.
What advice would you offer to a young ministry couple entering the ministry today?
Kyle Howell: Be consistent…in your life with God, before your family, before your church. Be ready for difficulty. And make sure your marriage is rock-solid, ready for the pressures the ministry throws at you.
Beth Howell: Find a counselor — a good one — both for you and for those who come to you for help. And, young pastor’s wife, pray for your husband. Every. Single. Day.
Gabe Montez: Be prepared to feel like a failure. Dealing with the culture, people letting you down, emotional and spiritual exhaustion — ministry can tear you apart. Take what God gives you, not your expectations but God’s reality.
Erika Montez: Understand God can use you, with all your unique personality traits. You don’t have to fit a “mold.” Just be yourself and who God wants you to be.
Randy Puckett: Let your wife be your favorite church member and encourage her to be herself, not what others expect her to be. Then, be authentic yourself.
Shelley Puckett (and her mom): We desperately need mentors, a whole network of women who help younger women.
How do you maintain personal spiritual and moral integrity?
Kyle Howell: Accountability is key, being open with other believers — full transparency. Then it comes down to making the right choices with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Gabe Montez: Humility is huge, because integrity starts by admitting you are vulnerable. You must let your guard down and share with others, who then can hold you accountable.
Randy Puckett: I have an accountability partner. And then my wife has access to everything in my life: phone, social accounts...everything. I never meet with another woman in private, and I try to be transparent about everything.
How do you develop accountability for leaders at your church?
Kyle Howell: I talk openly with my church leadership about what is needed and expected. We seek to develop a “careful culture” in our church.
Gabe Montez: Church accountability requires us to set the culture, to define what is meant by accountability. Then, as pastors, we have to lead the way, living out a faithful example, “above reproach,” as the Scripture says.
What do you currently find most encouraging in your ministry?
Kyle Howell: We’ve gotten beyond the initial church planting stage. We are in a building, seeing growth and momentum, and folks are taking ownership. The congregation is excited, and that is such a blessing to me.
Gabe Montez: My wife! When things get challenging, and I get down, she shares things in our ministry that are incredible, that I don’t even see. I’m afraid we sometimes forget just how important our wives are in our ministry.
Randy Puckett: After an unexpected health crisis, I was hospitalized and had to miss extensive time...right before Easter. I was mad at God — Is that okay for a pastor to say? — but He used those events to help me realize His plans are bigger than mine. Guys stepped up and filled the pulpit — so encouraging! I have been reminded it is the Lord’s church, the Lord’s work, and I am privileged to be part of what He is doing!
