Each Thursday I write a post (ok, most Thursdays) entitled “Ministry Inside.” This post is primarily written for those who are in various church ministry roles. Yet others might find these comments and resources helpful as well. You might enjoy reading my blog via your phone. You can do this directly through a browser (www.godhungry.org)… Continue reading Ministry Inside.29
Tag: Ministry Inside
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Each Thursday, I post something especially with ministers and other church leaders in mind. If you are not in the ministry but are simply a person who serves God and serves people, I hope you, too, will take something from this post each week. Last week, I listed a number of “Game-changers” for ministers. Each… Continue reading Ministry Inside.27
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The following practices are important. In fact, these are game-changers for ministers. 1. The very best thing you have to offer a congregation is the presence of a Godly person. 2. Manage yourself. Don’t live in reaction to an event in the past or to someone in the present. 3. Be a student of your… Continue reading Ministry Inside.26
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1. “Manage yourself.” These are the words of my friend Charles Siburt, longtime ministry professor at ACU. If you as a minister approach ministry from a systems perspective, there is nothing more important than managing yourself. Yet, managing yourself is not simply a matter of working harder or trying more. It is examining how you… Continue reading Ministry Inside.25
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1. There is much to be said for listening. In the past month, I have been intentional about meeting with small groups of people in our community (outside our church family) in order to learn more about our city. I ask questions like: What are people in your circles talking about? (Your family, friends, neighbors,… Continue reading Ministry Inside.24
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1. You might want to read this piece by Tim Keller, “How to Pray Better in Public and in Private, Too.” One reason why I read Tim Keller is because he makes me think. Tim must be one of the most articulate spokesmen for the Gospel in this century. By the way, this recent announcement… Continue reading Ministry Inside.23
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1. Our little grandson entered Vanderbilt Hospital a few days ago with a high fever. I watched from a distance as Christians from my daughter and son-in-law’s congregation, the 4th Avenue Church in Franklin, Tennessee. quickly responded to them. It was a reminder to me of the significance of such a time for a family.… Continue reading Ministry Inside.22
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1. For a long time, it has been very important to me to live a transparent life. I first realized the importance of this years ago when I experienced disappointment in some people whom I had admired. I was very young and began to hear disturbing stories about some sports figures, politicians, and Hollywood figures.… Continue reading Ministry Inside.21
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1. Read Jonathan Storment’s “Why I Preach.” Outstanding! Encouraging and inspiring. 2. Scot McKnight has been posting a very good series based on James Bryan Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community. For example, see Scot’s post entitled “Spiritual Disciplines…for a Church 5.” (This really is a very good book. I am reading it right… Continue reading Ministry Inside.20
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1. Ministers need to be lifelong learners. Remember that it is not necessarily how much you read, but what you read. This is not a matter of either being bookish or not being bookish. Churches deserve a minister who is willing to do hard thinking and who is willing to mine the important books so… Continue reading Ministry Inside.19