Train Church Leaders Practicum
Applying Biblical Truth about Church Leadership to Actual Leading
A previous post reminded us that God uses His Word to thoroughly equip us for EVERY good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17), which would include functioning as a team. We must therefore look to Scripture for instruction. We need to follow biblical principles for functioning as a team if we are going to truly become the interdependent Body He intends for us to be. . . . Continue reading Biblical Principles for Functioning as a Team
God designed the Church to function as a team, wherein we come together in unity, working toward a common goal. We follow His intent to operate like a body with everyone doing their part for the glory of God. That takes interdependence and putting personal ambitions aside. (Read Ephesians 4:1-16 and Philippians 2:1-8.) This kind of teamwork doesn’t come naturally. Just look at the condition of the divided world around us. We need a reliable means of equipping us for it. . . . Continue reading A Reliable Means of Equipping Us for Teamwork
Sometimes in strategic planning, leaders can come across like they know how to proceed better than anyone else. Like the Apostle Paul, however, we need to acknowledge that we haven’t “already obtained all” and haven’t “already arrived” (Phil. 3:12). We can learn from others. Even if we have more knowledge and experience than team members, we must . . . Continue reading Strategic Planning That’s Not Rooted in Pride
Scripture exhorts leaders to “be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them” (1 Pet. 5:2). That may include the church body at large but also ministry staff, both paid and volunteer, as a sub-group. We need to think through how to lead our staff by shepherding as they will be those who go out to care for other groups of people within the body. By intentionally shepherding staff members, we provide an example for them to do the same. . . . Continue reading Lead Staff by Shepherding
Staff evaluations grow old when always done the same way, asking the same questions each time. Why not change it up by using different criteria, like, for example, the effect of people’s ministry on the name of the Lord. Scripture makes it clear that . . . Continue reading Staff Evaluations Assessing Effect on the Lord’s Name
When asked to describe how they feel about scheduling efforts, leaders might use words like frustrating, discouraging, and disheartening. They might cite the time-consuming and never-ending nature of this task. Dealing with people’s last-minute cancellations produces a continual need to find replacements, or reshuffle, and sometimes even change plans because of it. If that describes how you feel, read and re-read the exhortation in 1 Corinthians 15:58: . . . Continue reading Frustrated by the Task of Scheduling?
As believers we’d like to think that we’re safe from anything bad happening to us. God, however, doesn’t promise a trouble-free life. But, He does promise to use all things for the good (Rom. 8:28). When God allows harm in our lives, we can count of Him to use it in some way. We may not understand how because we don’t see the big picture as God does. . . . Continue reading God Has a Bigger Picture When Bad Things Happen
When reading through Scripture it’s easy to skip over the genealogical records, counting of the tribes of Israel, and so forth, as too tedious. Why did God include all those records? There must more to it than providing us with a precedence for record keeping. . . . Continue reading Record Keeping Precedence in the Word
Stewardship goes beyond how we handle our time and money. It deals with any entrustment we’ve been given, including the responsibilities and the people God has given us to lead. . . . Continue reading Church Leaders: Be a Steward
Do you want to make sure organization doesn’t take on a life of its own in your church and ministry? Does it seem like taking time and effort to organize takes your attention away from God and what He does? Are you concerned about organizational efforts becoming divisive? If so, then rely on the Name of the Lord. . . ., Continue reading Organization Reliant on the Name of the Lord