My wife had a creative way of motivating our children when they were young. - No, it was not capital punishment. Our house was elaborately decorated with bright colored wall charts. Each contained smiley faces, check marks, smurf stickers or whatever inanimate creature du jour would motivate them to clean their rooms or take out the trash. It was a…
I always check the expiration date on the milk carton, which made it a sickening surprise when I drank the soured milk! I knew it was not polite, but my natural reflex overruled my etiquette. I like milk, but it has an expiration date. Technology is amazing, but every time I think I have the fastest computer or smartest phone,…
This past week two of my spiritual mentors died on the same day. I had the privilege of preaching one of their funeral services. One of them led me to Christ and taught me how to preach, the other taught me how to live a genuine Christian life. Both of these men’s influence will continue into eternity because of the…
We often define churches by their size, music quality, architecture or notoriety of the pastor. Elaborate facilities. Multiple staff members. A plethora of programs. Is this how we define church? Is it about all of these things? The answer can be “yes” and “maybe,” if these things are contributing to the main thing. The main thing is not bringing a…
Once upon a time there was ONE leader who simply wanted to make a difference in the world. He had no illusion that he could do it alone and wanted to build a team. Guided by biblical principles he practiced biblical discipleship as he ministered to men. He frequently experienced failure and frustration discovering not everyone was willing to “count…
I was only twenty-one years old as I stood reading a copy of the letter from my Executive Director. It was addressed to one of the key supporters of our ministry whom he wanted me to visit. Reading the last line I said to my wife, “I’m not going on this trip. I’m afraid I will not live up to…
“Oh it is just a fad he’s going though! Give him a little time and he will get over it.” Those were the words I heard one of my friends at school telling another friend shortly after I trusted Christ as my Savior. These were good friends but my new way of thinking had all of us confused. You see…
In Second Timothy 2: 2, Paul not only gives us a great plan for world evangelization; his words also serve as a model for cultivating students of influence. Paul says, The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (NASB95). From Paul’s…
This is the third and final post in the Four Erroneous Youth Ministry Philosophies series. Sections three and four represent ministry approaches based on program and personality. Youth ministries need a program as well as leadership with personality; however, both function best when founded on Biblical principles. Section Three: “All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go – Buttoned Up and…
“I’ve tried everything!” Remember those words from Part 1? If not refer back to my post on January 12. I have divided the philosophical approaches into four sections determined by their predominant thrust. In Part 2 we will examine the first two sections and will conclude next Tuesday with Part 3, so stay with me. Keep in mind that some…