Have key members in your church tried to get rid of you on multiple occasions? Has your flock deliberately tried to undermine your ministry? Have you been the object of fierce hostility, anger, and spite? If so, you are in company with one of history’s greatest preachers: Charles Simeon (1759-1839). In this article we will look at the turbulent beginnings of one of the greatest preachers of the nineteenth century.
There are many pitfalls on the path to good leadership. In this post we will discuss common hazards of Christian leadership. Knowing these hazards will better prepare you to lead well in your ministry.
Does God call us to be warriors?Being a Christian and a warrior are two ideas seldom connected in the modern world. However, if Christians embraced the discipline and ethic of a warrior, we would see an unparalleled resurgence of strength, leadership, sacrifice, courage, and love in our world. In this post, I’ll identify two more areas Christians can embrace the call to be a warrior.
Being a Christian and a warrior are two ideas seldom connected in the modern world. If Christians embraced the ethic and discipline of warriors, our world would see radical change in Christian leadership.
Being well-known and having deep and abiding relationships with others are two completely different things. Some pastors are hesitant to develop relationships that go beyond surface matters out of a fear of being hurt or betrayed. In this post, we will discuss a few reasons why it is critical for pastors and ministry couples to cultivate deep friendships with others.
Have you ever been troubled by your thoughts? Maybe you know what it is like to be burdened by chronic worry, fear, despair, or anger. Sometimes our minds can feel like a battleground. However, as a Child of God, we don’t have to let negative thoughts live “rent free” in our minds. In fact, the Bible talks about taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (see 2 Cor 10:5). In this article, we will walk through the steps to kick troubling thoughts to the curb.
There will be times in ministry when you are going to be hit. You will be the subject of criticism (some warranted and some unwarranted). Occasionally, someone fueled by a sense of self-contrived justice, is going to say something to you that is unfair, insulting, or ill-informed. Expect it. How do you face an unjust critic or personal insults? During this post we will discuss the keys to keeping your focus on Christ even when targeted by a critic.
Is bitterness ruining your ministry? Bitterness is a real killer of effective ministry. Every man and woman in ministry must guard against this danger. In this post I’ll explain the ways bitterness can take root in our lives. Understanding how bitterness grows prepares us to be on guard against this danger.
Prayer is critically important for every person in ministry. Time is short, schedules are busy, but the need to pray remains. Here are three books that have impacted my prayer life in some unique ways.
Be sure to check out our series on how to love your wife in ministry: Part 1: 5 Ways to love your wife dailyPart 2: Loving your wife: a long-term strategy…