There are many ways a person can murder one’s own ministry. Sometimes ministers self-destruct by unwise choices and decisions. Ministers who serve on a staff at a church can kill a perfectly good ministry through foolish words and actions. Sometimes such choices result in a minister being “fired” or “let go” from a church. Yet,… Continue reading How to Murder Your Own Ministry
Category: Ministry
When Ministers Lose Their Focus
Most ministers who I know are good people. In fact, some of the best people I know serve as ministers in churches. Many preach and some serve in other roles. Ministers have the opportunity to influence other ministers as well as the elders of the congregation by what they model in their professional life as… Continue reading When Ministers Lose Their Focus
Street Smarts for Church Leaders
1. In many church buildings, there is a designated meeting room for key leaders in the congregation. In some churches, this will be the meeting room or conference room where the elders/ministers meet. In other churches this may be where the ministry team or the ministry staff meets. Early one morning, a minister was walking by himself through the… Continue reading Street Smarts for Church Leaders
Four Essential Practices for Any Church Leader
The following are four essential practices for any church leader. In fact, these might be helpful to any Christ-follower. 1. Take care of your mind. Too many ministers do not read widely and consequently get stuck in a mental rut. Some read only the latest books from well-known preachers. The mind, however, needs exercise. For… Continue reading Four Essential Practices for Any Church Leader
Focus on the Heart (Part 2 of 2)
Like choosing a mate, sometimes churches seem to focus on the “outward appearance” when it comes to selecting a minister. Sometimes it seems that we are preoccupied with finding a minister who like King Saul of Israel will look the part. Years ago, a church leader called me regarding a reference check of a prospective… Continue reading Focus on the Heart (Part 2 of 2)
Review: Bringing Heaven to Earth
I just read Bringing Heaven to Earth by Josh Ross and Jonathan Storment. This sentence caught my attention, “What is a Christian’s responsibility to bring to bear God’s will in this corner of the world, so that people throughout Memphis might come to experience a hint of what life is like in heaven?” Maybe this… Continue reading Review: Bringing Heaven to Earth
What Validates a Minister’s Value?
How do you know when a minister has great value? Or, if you serve as a minister of a congregation you may wonder how much value you really have. Perhaps there are times when you when you feel as if you have great value. What factors have led you to come to that conclusion? Perhaps… Continue reading What Validates a Minister’s Value?
Don’t Bother Me With the Truth
I’ve seen it happen again and again in churches. So often, we are only willing to hear what we are willing to hear. Consequently men and women go through life repeating the same mistakes again and again. 1. A college student erupts in anger toward his parents and various other family members. At the same… Continue reading Don’t Bother Me With the Truth
When People are Impulsive
It is true. Some people are slow to decide and slow to act. Some groups are so afraid of making a mistake, they miss opportunity after opportunity to make a difference. Some churches are so bogged down in committees they rarely take action. There are some people, however, who seem to act impulsively with little… Continue reading When People are Impulsive
Want to Make a Difference? (9 truths about ministry)
The following are a few basic but critical realities of ministry. 1. Good thinking and good practice matter. Those who work with churches are sometimes challenged on both fronts. What we do with the text matters. How we think theologically matters. 2. We serve out of our identity in Christ. What we know is important.… Continue reading Want to Make a Difference? (9 truths about ministry)