So much of one’s effectiveness in ministry has to do with the matters that may appear small but in fact are very important. 1. Attitude. This is huge! A negative attitude, a cynical spirit, and a fault-finding disposition have a way of wearing out a congregation. The content of a minister’s teaching may be… Continue reading Ministry Inside.92
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“One of the biggest problems with pastors is their lack of self-awareness and inadequate relational abilities.” This quote caught my attention. I was reading a transcript of a presentation given by Dr. Rod Wilson, president of Regent College. The presentation was entitled “Why Emotional Intelligence Is Missing in So Many Churches and Christian Institutions.” In… Continue reading Ministry Inside.87
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Some ministers are perceived to be important. When I first began preaching and serving as a “full-time minister,” I soon realized that some preachers were considered to be important people. That struck me as interesting and even a bit odd. After all, I was a business major in college. It wasn’t until after I had… Continue reading Ministry Inside.85
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Each Thursday, I write a post particularly for church leaders. The following is part of a list of habits for church leaders who want to grow and develop. You can find part 1 here and part 2 here. Habit #6. Adjust your expectations. When I first began preaching, my expectations of people were way too high!… Continue reading Ministry Inside.83
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Each Thursday, I write a post focused on the needs of church leaders. The following is the first in a series of habits for church leaders (in particular) who wish to grow and develop. Habit #1 Practice self-awareness. With whom am I spending time? I have to monitor just how much time I spend with… Continue reading Ministry Inside.81
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How to Kill Your Ministry 1. Live an insular life. Live as if you were on a remote island. You have probably seen ministers like this. Some live this way within their own congregations. Others exist like this within their fellowship or denomination. They live and function with their lives centered around concerns that are… Continue reading Ministry Inside.78
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Each Thursday, I post something I think might be helpful or encouraging to church leaders. (You might also find it helpful to read an earlier post about some of the real mental and emotional challenges in ministry.) Habits that will help you keep your sanity as a Christian leader: 1. Have a strong sense of… Continue reading Ministry Inside.77
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Expectations are everything! So what do you expect? This is a huge issue for many ministers. Far too many of us have very unrealistic expectations of ourselves, our work, and the congregations we serve. At this point, someone might want to quickly interject, “But I think we ought to have high standards. Isn’t the bar… Continue reading Ministry Inside.76
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Did you know that ministry can make you feel as if you are losing your mind? Ok. Maybe it is not supposed to be that way but I do know many people who have experienced this. I certainly have at times. I am going to list four ways this happens and next week will give… Continue reading Ministry Inside.75
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I was once at a conference with mostly ministers and other church leaders in attendance. A friend of mine came in late the first evening. The room was full but there was an empty seat on a back row. The guy took this seat. Meanwhile, the conference began and our host proceeded to welcome us… Continue reading Ministry Inside.74