Ministry Leadership

Oct 28 2014

Which Church Are You: Takeout or Home Cooking?

There is one common truth whether you are leading a new church plant or a well established church, you need leadership help. A question that plagues every pastor (I know that it has plagued me) is where will the leaders needed to help the church be found? While there are many (and I do mean many) theories regarding the development and deployment of leaders for the local church, I believe that most approaches to leadership development in the church fall into either of two categories, home cooking or takeout. In one approach the local church seeks to acquire leaders, while in the other approach the local church seeks to develop leaders. So which one are you? [Read more…] about Which Church Are You: Takeout or Home Cooking?

Oct 27 2014

Hey Pastor! What Does Christian Ministry Mean To You?

What does ministry mean to me? Recently, I was asked to give my testimony regarding the answer to that question at a gathering of my ministry colleagues. The catch? I only had 5 minutes to share. A preacher, a microphone, a captive audience, and just 5 minutes; this was truly the definition of “preacher torture.” What could I say about a, to this point, 22 year journey with God in ministry that would edify and encourage my colleagues while conveying ministry has come to mean to me? I was able to whittle it down to four words….surrender, sacrifice, service, and satisfaction. [Read more…] about Hey Pastor! What Does Christian Ministry Mean To You?

Oct 21 2014

What Every Pastor Should Do When People Leave the Church

You haven’t seen a certain family in some time. They used to be faithful in their attendance on Sundays and during the week. Recently their attendance has waned, and now they are no longer attending. Every pastor has experienced or will experience this situation. [Read more…] about What Every Pastor Should Do When People Leave the Church

Oct 20 2014

5 Losses In Churches Without Vision

Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. ~ Habakkuk 2:2

It is possible that you are saying to yourself, “Yet another article on the importance of vision to the local church.” I get it. Trust me, I get it. I said the same thing aloud when I was prompted to write this article. Then I came to the realization that the reason there are so many things written about vision, and the reason that I am okay with adding yet another article to the pile, is that vision is vitally important. As local church leaders it is possible for us to underestimate the importance of vision until, due to a lack of vision, we’ve veered far off course. If that sounds right to you, then I encourage you to read on. [Read more…] about 5 Losses In Churches Without Vision

Oct 15 2014

5 Things Your Church Should Be For Those Overcoming Church Hurt

A couple begins attending the church you lead. They sit in the back, watching and listening attentively. They return more often over the next several months, but seem reluctant to engage any deeper. Finally, you are able to make a connection and find out that they have just begun attending church again. They share that they left the last church they attended after being wounded. They share all that they did at their former church, and how painful the circumstances were that led to them leaving the church. What are you to do? How should the church handle this family? [Read more…] about 5 Things Your Church Should Be For Those Overcoming Church Hurt