Anyone who’s given their life to ministry knows ministry is tough. Honestly, it’s been really good for me, in many ways in many places. But I can honestly say the last two weeks have been the most emotionally trying in my 20 years of ministry.
The catalyst for my pain was the suffering of two families I love.
Read MoreTo the list of qualities most often associated with successful leaders, I want to add one not often considered.
An effective leader is attentive—not only to the other leaders in his organization, but to people in general.
I thought of this as I reflected on Mark Moore’s visit to Christ’s Church a couple of weeks ago. We were challenged and motivated and informed by his sermon, of course. It was a great boost to all of us working through his Core 52 Bible study.
Read MoreBilly Graham had experienced success as a Youth for Christ evangelist when, at age 31, he was ready to launch out on his own. In 1948 he met with three men who would be his partners in evangelistic crusades, Bev Shea, Grady Wilson, and Cliff Barrows. In a Modesto, California motel, he challenged them to take one hour, go to their rooms, and come back with a list of any possible problems that could sabotage their effectiveness.
When they returned, their lists were remarkably similar. Their discussion led them to agree on a set of standards designed to protect the integrity of their ministry. Their pact, although never published, came to be known as the Modesto Manifesto. And observing those guidelines kept Graham from corruption and scandal for almost six decades after that.
Read MoreIf nothing else will distract a leader, discouragement will.
And if nothing else will discourage a leader, comparing himself with others will.
Envy is the great disabler. And sometimes it disables me. Here I am, constantly going for God while the stress and the pressure of ministry seems never to go away. When I dwell on this, I’m in a turmoil that feels like it just won’t end.
Read MoreMost Christian leaders agree their main priority—maybe their top priority—is seeing lost people saved.
And too many Christian leaders think the inadequacies of others—immature leaders, uncommitted church members—are the main reason their congregations aren’t reaching that goal.
But in my study of scripture this week I was struck with a truth that should have been obvious to me. I was reading 1 Corinthians and meditating on Paul’s claim, quoted above: “I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” And here’s what hit me: The first step toward seeing others saved rests with me and how I view myself. When I am selfless, many will be saved. Others finding salvation begins with my selflessness. And that’s something I can fix without waiting for or depending on anyone else.
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