Beware of counterfeit ministry! 1. A church leader can become more concerned about image than reality. This church leader will spend much time and energy projecting a particular persona while the reality of this person’s life is elsewhere. In every generation, there is a temptation to want to appear cool, relevant, successful, sought after, important,… Continue reading Ministry Inside.132
Category: Ministry Inside
Ministry Inside.131
Some church leaders really connect with the people who make up the congregations they serve. Others have great difficulty. The following are a few suggestions that might help you connect. Perhaps one or more of these will be helpful. 1. Listen to people. Listen to a wide variety of people in your congregation. Too many… Continue reading Ministry Inside.131
Ministry Inside.130
My friend told me many years ago, “If you are going to last, you can’t keep working like this.” I was a young preacher. I had just told my new friend some details about my typical work week. I had no sense of boundaries or priorities. Consequently, my days were typically spent with far too… Continue reading Ministry Inside.130
Ministry Inside.129
I love to laugh. A funny story can be told in a sermon, class, elder’s meeting, or in a small gathering of friends. It is particularly enjoyable to laugh with friends. Laughter can often draw us together. Laughter, used in the wrong way, can also be deadly. Someone’s laughter can be embarrassing or even humiliating.… Continue reading Ministry Inside.129
Ministry Inside.128
Who do you intend to be? Will you finish well? I recently read Walter Wright’s most recent book The Third Third of Life: Preparing for Your Future. Wright is the former President of Regent College in Vancouver. Wright suggest that one’s life can be divided into thirds. “I like to think of life in thirds.… Continue reading Ministry Inside.128
Ministry Inside.144
Every Thursday, I write this post particularly for church leaders. As church leaders, we strive to lead holy and transparent lives. Yet, some of us do not address certain issues or problems in our lives that may be so apparent to those who know us best. Remember the first couple, Adam and Eve. Perhaps you… Continue reading Ministry Inside.144
Ministry Inside: 142
He talked on and on. People gathered around. He clearly was the center of attention. As people begin to gather around this church leader, he became more animated and loud. Onlookers were laughing as he told the story. Finally, everyone disbursed. Later, this same church leader walked into a meeting where another was talking to… Continue reading Ministry Inside: 142
Ministry Inside.140
Some ministers abuse time. I admire those who serve in a full-time ministry role with a church. I did so for many years. In fact, I deeply respect these people. Yet this ministry is a role that can be dangerous to one’s soul and integrity. The danger that I have in mind relates to time.… Continue reading Ministry Inside.140
Ministry Inside.139
(The following post is adapted from a chapel talk given at Harding School of Theology last week.) Six Suggestions for Getting More Out of Your Life and Ministry It doesn’t matter what you plan to do. It doesn’t matter how you plan to serve. The following are six suggestions for making the most of your… Continue reading Ministry Inside.139
Ministry Inside.138
The following are the notes from the chapel presentation I gave on Tuesday morning, January 21, at Harding School of Theology (Memphis, Tennessee). Perhaps you will find this encouraging and a good reminder. This is the first chapel of 2014 at Harding School of Theology. This is the first day of classes. No doubt as… Continue reading Ministry Inside.138