I have been a minister for many years. Literally, every week, I am in conversation with ministers. I have noticed that the best ministers I know do three things really well. First, good ministers look for the kernel of truth in any criticism. Most of us probably do not like to hear anyone who might… Continue reading What Good Ministers Do Really Well
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The Bully
1. He often thinks he is the smartest one in the room. 2. He will try to convince you that you are slow, crazy, not intelligent, etc. 3. If you are female, he may think you are overly emotional, not thinking, always lacking in something. 4. He is always critiquing, keeping score, etc. He must… Continue reading The Bully
Give it Five Minutes
Author Jason Fried tells the story of hearing a speaker at a conference in Providence, Rhode Island. While the speaker was speaking, he was “making an inventory” of the things he didn’t agree with. After Fried met the speaker, he immediately began to express to him the things he didn’t agree with. Fried then describes… Continue reading Give it Five Minutes
How to Avoid Messing Up Your Future By Focusing on Today
You can’t have low standards for whom you date and high standards for whom you marry. Typically people do not date low and then marry high. This principle is true for so much of life. Some of us like to envision a future for ourselves in which we live right, marry right, and raise… Continue reading How to Avoid Messing Up Your Future By Focusing on Today
10 Game Changers for Christian Leaders
1. The very best thing you have to offer a church is your own transforming self. (Credit to Ruth Haley Barton for this language.) That is, you are a person who is in the process of being shaped and transformed into the image of Christ. 2. Manage yourself. You can spend much of… Continue reading 10 Game Changers for Christian Leaders
Don’t Stop Living Before You Die!
I knew a man who was alive and vibrant in his church in his 30s. He seemed to grow and connect with others in a meaningful way. However, something happened in his 40s. He found his recliner. That became his location for much of his life. Sitting and mindlessly watching hour after hour of television.… Continue reading Don’t Stop Living Before You Die!
What I Heard When I Began to Listen
I will not forget these stories. I was a young minister. I began preaching for a small church in North Alabama. In this community there were many, many churches. I was grateful for the opportunity to serve in this congregation. I preached each week. I taught Bible classes. I began to meet with people… Continue reading What I Heard When I Began to Listen
When All Around Us Seems Tense
To say that the nation is tense almost seems like an understatement at this point. In recent days: Five police officers in Dallas slaughtered. Two more African-American males dead. St. Paul. Baton Rouge. A significant portion of this population does not feel safe and that has to be a real concern. Marches and protests. Some… Continue reading When All Around Us Seems Tense
When Men Leave Emotionally
What does a man do with pain? Many men simply leave. No, they don’t necessarily leave physically. Rather, they leave emotionally. I recently heard a friend of mine talk about this as he reflected upon a very difficult time in his life. I could identify. Many men have learned that the safest place to take one’s… Continue reading When Men Leave Emotionally
Does a “Thank You” Really Matter?
Does a “Thank You” really matter? Yes. It really does! Many of us perceive ourselves to be grateful people. Often it is because we feel grateful. We think about how thankful we are to others. We may hear someone’s name and immediately feel very warm and thankful for them. Yet, many, many people rarely, if… Continue reading Does a “Thank You” Really Matter?