Effective leaders approach their positions as a responsibility rather than a right. One of the greatest responsibilities of any leader is the development of his team. Leadership provides the awesome opportunity of developing those people God has entrusted to your care. The serious and sobering nature of leadership is addressed in Hebrews 13:7 which reminds leaders they will give an…
Set the timer for 30 seconds on your phone, your watch, or the instrument of your choosing. Press go. Then answer the following three questions: Who is the person you listen to the most? Who is the person you listen to the least? Why? The following oft-quoted Maxims may shed some light on the answers to your questions. Whether pithy…
Okay, sing along with me, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine, oh…” Perhaps you remember singing this song as a child in Sunday school or maybe at camp, but what does it really mean? In Matthew 5:14 Jesus said, “You are the light of the world” and in verse 16, “Let your light so shine…
The teen years are not a “holding pattern” but should be a time of utilizing the power of youth. We are not preparing them to be leaders in the future; we are preparing them now for this moment. Being salt and light is not a post-graduate concept. Some of the most vocal advocates for change in student ministry are the…
“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…
Perhaps you remember the commercial of the rugged cowboys riding across the prairie ropes in hand. Due to historical reference you think they are herding cattle but then as the camera pans out, your senses are momentarily confused as you see thousands of . . . . . cats. I really do not remember the point of the commercial but…
Someone has said that a rut is just a grave with the ends knocked out. My take-away from this statement is that whether you are in a grave or in a rut, your horizons are limited. It is so easy to become comfortable with the routine and familiar. One of my greatest challenges is to keep growing and learning. The…
I spoke at a church Sunday to honor a dear friend of mine who is retiring. I met Tom Hammett more than 35 years ago and have had the privilege of watching him Pastor the same church for 33 years. I was moved by the people who shared about various aspects of Tom's life and ministry. I listened with an…
Have you ever heard any of the following "Christian Maxims?" "If you are going to talk the talk then you need to walk the walk." "Do as I do is more powerful than simply do as I say." "If you want to have followers then you need to be a leader." Or my favorite: "Your life is so loud; I…
Autonomous (capable of independent function) Youth Ministry - Part 3 In Part 1, I discussed the concept of autonomous ministry and suggested the goal of giving away our ministry. In Part 2, I looked at building autonomous students within your ministry - students who can own, live and export their faith. The idea is that we need to have intentional…