A right understanding of relationships is critical to pastoral ministry. Yet, for as much time as pastors spend around people, I frequently hear how lonely and isolated they feel. Just because we work closely with people doesn’t mean we’ll have the closeness our souls need. A relationship can’t be forced, and there needs to be a certain organic sense of … Read More
Leaders Care for their People
“Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.” — Proverbs 27:23-24 (NLT)
Schuller on the Omniscience of God
“Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed.” – Robert H. Schuller, pastor, evangelist, author, and motivational speaker September 16, 1926 – April 2, 2015
The Voice in Your Head: How to Control Your “Mental Script” to Align with God’s Purpose
Every accomplishment in your life—whether it is how well you do in school, what level you hit in your professional life, or how you manage your household—is directly linked to how you feel about yourself, to whether you think you are capable and worthy of living life at the highest level. And what drives your evaluation of your abilities and … Read More
From Your Churchgoer’s Perspective: Giving as Accountability
When you decide to step out of financial stress and get on the ladder toward peace, make sure you give your initial gift in a way that is identifiable and by which you can be held accountable. That means, first of all, that when you give your gift to your local church, do it through whatever offering system the church … Read More
Leaders Train for Godliness
“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” — 1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)
Lyle Schaller on Church Culture
“The safe assumption today is that no two churches are alike; each congregation has its own unique culture.” — Lyle Schaller (April 19, 1923 – March 18, 2015), the Dean of Church Consultants, began his career as an urban planner for the city of Madison, Wisconsin. He left that life to pursue his calling as a church consultant, though he carried … Read More
The Power of Serving: Encouraging Your Flock to Invite their Friends to Church
Serving others is good for your spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Though helping others may not get you featured in a magazine, doing so in ways both big and small will have a significant effect on the quality of your life and your overall health. When churchgoers invite their friends who don’t know Jesus to church — including Online … Read More
A Closer Look at the 3-Step Process of Biblical Forgiveness
Once you understand what forgiveness is not, forgiving becomes easier. But how exactly do you go about it? You can begin by working through the three-step process of biblical forgiveness: Remember How Much You Have Been Forgiven Release the Person Who Hurt You Reestablish the Relationship, as Much as Possible Let’s take a closer look at each of the three … Read More
Leaders Take Care of Their Families
“For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?” — 1 Timothy 3:5 (NLT)