Right now it is autumn here in Australia and I love it. The spectaular colours of the leaves display the creativity of our amazing God. Seasons - God created them. He told Noah: "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease (Gen.8:22)." … Continue reading What Season Are You In?
Learning Leadership
It is often said that everything rises and falls on leadership. No doubt, there is a lot of truth in that statement. Any time you find something good happening, you can usually trace it back to a leader who is leading well. Any time you find something falling apart, you can usually trace is back … Continue reading Learning Leadership
Ministerial Sabbaticals (Pt.2)
In the foreword to Clergy Renewal, Roy M. Oswald lists the following six reasons for a church to encourage a pastor to take regular sabbaticals. 1. The very nature of being a pastor involves continual spiritual growth. Spiritual depth does not happen by accident; it takes hard, intentional work. Basically, it is a lifelong process … Continue reading Ministerial Sabbaticals (Pt.2)
Ministerial Sabbaticals (Pt.1)
Church work is not necessarily more difficult than other work, but it is hard. Staying fresh, alive and creative week after week, year after year, in the midst of the stress, emotion, study, as well as the people and leadership tasks that are required, can be quite a challenge. As a result, a minister's levels … Continue reading Ministerial Sabbaticals (Pt.1)
Leading Servants
Here is a well-known teaching from Jesus ... Then (the disciples) began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who … Continue reading Leading Servants
Random Thought #3 – Being over Doing
3. Being over Doing Yes, we will be DOING a lot this year! However, who we ARE speaks louder than what we SAY or what we DO. It affects HOW we go about what we do on a daily basis. Qualities such as gratitude, joyfulness, enthusiasm, and willingness are vital. The psalmist says, "Serve the … Continue reading Random Thought #3 – Being over Doing
A Pastor’s Prayer
I loved this prayer by Martin Luther (quoted in A Minister's Prayer Book by John Doberstein). "Lord God, thou has appointed me to be a bishop and pastor in thy church. Thou seest how unfit I am to undertake this great and difficult office, and were it not for thy help, I would long since … Continue reading A Pastor’s Prayer
Mastering Management
Leading and managing a church, a ministry, a business, or a non-profit organisation is quite a complex task. There is the cause or the mission that needs pursuing. There are the staff and volunteers who need encouraging and inspiring, much like a community. Then there is the corporate or business aspects that need conducting with … Continue reading Mastering Management
Implementing Change
Ideas usually cannot be imported without modification. The cultures and other aspects of leadership and management are different; therefore, that they fail without some modification shouldn't be surprising. Even adopting simple devices may cause problems. For example, traffic signals were invented in England, although the version used today was developed in the United States. Despite … Continue reading Implementing Change
Managing Transitions
Leading change is one of the most difficult and important tasks of leadership. Yet it is something God calls each of his leaders to do. God came to Moses and told him they he and Israel had been going around the same mountain long enough and that it was time to "break camp and advance" … Continue reading Managing Transitions
Women in Ministry
I believe that every church should be committed to releasing every person into ministry. Every Christ-follower is 'saved' (not just to go to heaven!) AND 'called' (to a special purpose here on earth - see 2 Timothy 1:9). All ministry should be based on 'godliness and giftedness, not gender'. Unfortunately, many churches restrict or limit … Continue reading Women in Ministry
Women and the Church
After sixty years of involvement in the Southern Baptist Church, former American President Jimmy Carter has left. Over what? Over his disagreement with their stance over the ordination of women. Read the article here. The SBC articles forbid the appointment of a woman as a pastor, as they see this as a male-only role. The role … Continue reading Women and the Church
Leadership Network Survey Results
Leadership Network is an excellent ministry established by Bob Buford. It's mission is to: identify, connect and help high-capacity Christian leaders multiply their impact. They provide a wealth of resources for churches and leaders through their web site, publications, blogs and e-newsletters. Recently Leadership Network conducted an extensive survey seeking to gain insights into the ministry roles of Senior Pastors … Continue reading Leadership Network Survey Results
‘How the Mighty Fall’ by Jim Collins (Book Review)
Jim Collins is the best-selling author of Built to Last and Good to Great. Collins is a student of companies and organisations - great ones, good ones, weak ones, and failed ones. His latest book (which I picked up recently in an airport bookshop in the USA), based on extensive research, is How the Mighty … Continue reading ‘How the Mighty Fall’ by Jim Collins (Book Review)
Fruit and Gifts
Jesus said that we can know the credibility of a ministry by their 'fruit', not by their 'gifts' (see Matthew 7:15-23). Gifts of the Spirit, as well as natural talent, are important but they are no evidence of a holy life. In fact, gifts can deceive us as to the true nature of a person. That's why character is to … Continue reading Fruit and Gifts