May 30, 2019
Cont’d from Part I Fundamental #5: Have a Compelling Vision Vision is about foresight, looking ahead and seeing the possibilities of what could be or where God may be leading you. A vision can be defined as a statement about the future, an imagining of something specific that does not exist today. A pastor needs a clear vision of the future in order to guide and lead the church. Without a vision a church has no direction, and the people “cast off restraint” (Proverbs 29:18), which means to simply go their own way or do what they think is best. […]
May 28, 2019
“But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry” 2 Timothy 4:5 The job of being a pastor is not just theological and spiritual. While preaching and teaching the Word of God and ministering to people spiritually is their primary function, they are also called upon to lead people, oversee many ministries, manage church resources, develop plans & budgets, manage church finances, plan & conduct worship services, arrange weddings & funerals, plan ministry events, develop training materials, provide counseling, manage church properties, and the list goes […]
May 23, 2019
We all want more pastors to get more and better training. We are all contributing to that effort in some way with the passion, vision and resources God has provided us. We will never meet the need, though, unless we figure out how to work together more and better. Trainers of Pastors International Coalition (TOPIC) does just that—helps pastoral training organizations and local churches intentionally collaborate to train pastors more widely and effectively. We interviewed Al Bridges, TOPIC global facilitator, to learn more. The term “coalition” refers to a goal-driven cooperation between participants who retain their distinctive identities and interests. […]
May 23, 2019
Reshared with kind permission from Carey Nieuwof. Leadership is a journey…a journey that’s probably different than you thought it would be before you stepped into leadership. When I was young, I always thought top leaders had it all figured out. That the uncertainty would one day disappear once I had more life and leadership under my belt. But as you eventually learn, it doesn’t really work that way. In fact, I think most leaders struggle more than they let on. I know personally, at one point or another, I’ve struggled in each of the areas listed below. But, at the […]
May 21, 2019
reshared with kind permission from Joshua Reich. If you talk to any pastor or his wife and ask them about friends, more than likely you will get a sad, longing look. Many pastors and their wives are lonely. They have been betrayed, hurt, and left out. As I’ve been sharing the weights and joys (Preaching God’s word every week, You can’t change people, God’s call on your life, Seeing life change, People under you are counting on you, God using you, What God thinks of you and Communicating God’s word) of being a pastor, the loneliness a pastor and his wife experience can be unique to this […]
May 14, 2019
Leadership Transitions and Overcoming “Founder’s Syndrome”: A Case Study in Humility and Gratitude reshared with kind permission from Leadership Resources Intl. Some leadership transitions are fraught with tension and conflict. Others can even sink a church or an organization. Thankfully this wasn’t the case for Leadership Resources when Craig Parro took over for LRI’s Founder Bill Mills in 2010 as LRI’s President. Craig and Bill recently sat down to discuss the challenges of avoiding “Founder’s Syndrome,” and shared how God helped them transition with grace. Bill Mills Bill Mills: God gave Karen and me the grace – the joy – of […]
May 14, 2019
reshared with kind permission from Breeze church. Recently I found myself in a fascinating conversation with a pastor who is in his 4th decade of ministry and still thriving in his role. How someone survives this long with a heart alive to God and a passion for people and the church is something I’m deeply interested in. I’m guessing you are as well. Two moments in, this conversation shocked me and revealed the character qualities required for such a long and faithful run in ministry. I’m hoping these ideas will be helpful to you. So, here’s what I learned… Cruise […]
May 7, 2019
Nine years ago I was introduced to TNT training. Through a series of remarkable providences God opened a compelling opportunity to partner with two dynamic leaders in Ethiopia. These two men, independent from one another, became deeply burdened by the fact that the vast majority of pastors in their nation do not enjoy access to biblical training. In response to their invitation, I traveled with Doug Dunton of LRI to conduct TNT training with two groups of leaders in Ethiopia. Conditions that day were not pleasant. It was cold and rainy and there was mud and water everywhere. I found […]
May 2, 2019
Resharing with kind permission from Breeze Church. One of the most frustrating things about being a part of any organization is finding out about decisions that were made by people above you…that affect you…that you had no voice in. Not cool man! And, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. The reason we find situations like this so frustrating is because we feel like we aren’t being heard. Being heard is important because it communicates value. Also, as someone who makes decisions on a regular basis that affect the people under my care, I’ve come to learn that I […]
