No one leads by accident. The words intentionality, strategy, vision, and mentoring relationships are frequently used in the leadership realm. Likewise, few people “accidentally” fall into the right ministry position in a church. God has called church leaders to guide, encourage, and train His people for ministry. People want to be asked to serve. AContinue reading “Fear of Asking (5 Things Series)”
Category Archives: Ministry
5 Things “A Church Member” Wants His Leadership to Know
“Help me find the ministry that God has for me in this church. I want to serve so that I can help others, but I need to know what to do, how to do it, and how I am doing. Sincerely, A Church Member.” This is the cry of a church member who is followingContinue reading “5 Things “A Church Member” Wants His Leadership to Know”
Habitat for Humanity: Friend or Foe?
Fifty years ago, life was simpler for most church people. They raised their family, worked their job, and went to church. They volunteered in their church, because it was the “right thing to do.” They embraced a community of faith and rarely left their church over hurt feelings or a disagreement with the pastor. TheyContinue reading “Habitat for Humanity: Friend or Foe?”
Connection Failure: From Community to “Me-ism” (Ministry Trends Series)
Is it better for a person not to serve if the motive involves a selfish interest? If someone had a personal motive for serving, should a church leader say “no” to the request? When I consider the teachings of the Bible, there is no instance where a person accomplished anything of value by himself orContinue reading “Connection Failure: From Community to “Me-ism” (Ministry Trends Series)”
Motivational Shift: Why people volunteer (Ministry Trends Series)
I grew up in an era when we were taught in school: “You can do anything. You can change the world.” Right or wrong, that was ingrained into our impressionable heads. Now, tens of millions of young adults are wandering around, trying to figure out how they can begin a revolution. Today, people are notContinue reading “Motivational Shift: Why people volunteer (Ministry Trends Series)”
Do I Owe My Soul to the Company Store? (Ministry Trends Series)
Are believers in Christ working so much at their jobs that they don’t have time to minister to people? One trend that has influenced volunteer ministry in the church is the career decisions of believers. Marlene Wilson acknowledges that the times have changed. “The fact is that people are volunteering- just not in the waysContinue reading “Do I Owe My Soul to the Company Store? (Ministry Trends Series)”
Families: A Help or Hindrance to Ministry Service? (Ministry Trends Series)
Family dynamics have changed the look of volunteer ministry. Churches that refuse to recognize this change will inevitably see a decline not only in ministry participation but also in the spiritual growth of the congregation. Families look different today than when I was a kid (BTW, I am only 37 years old). We did notContinue reading “Families: A Help or Hindrance to Ministry Service? (Ministry Trends Series)”
Are People Still Volunteering? (Ministry Trends Series)
“Times have changed. People are not interested in serving in the church.” This was the statement of a frustrated and overworked pastor. He was right and wrong at the same time. Today is different than fifty years ago. I disagree, however, that people are less interested. Churches that refuse to adapt to changing trends inContinue reading “Are People Still Volunteering? (Ministry Trends Series)”
Is 100% Possible? (Grammatically Correct Church Series)
Some fellow pastors think I am crazy. I honestly expect that every church should have 100% of the believers in the congregations involved in active ministry. Is this unrealistic to expect that every person in my church who has trusted Christ for salvation would use their gifts and time to serve others? But I find that someContinue reading “Is 100% Possible? (Grammatically Correct Church Series)”
The Cross Changed “the Ministry” (The Grammatically Correct Church Series)
Prior to the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus, “the ministry” was delegated to a small percentage of people. These included Levites, Priests, Prophets, and a few other leaders in Israel. The cross of Christ, however, changed that. The ministry responsibility was expanded exponentially- to every believer in Christ. Believers are a volunteer army thatContinue reading “The Cross Changed “the Ministry” (The Grammatically Correct Church Series)”
Shepherding Well 