5. Casting Vision for the Future I Peter 5:2 (Pastors should be) taking the oversight thereof. Each local church is unique. Although we all have the same message (the Gospel) and mission (advance it), we will not all have the same methods for doing so. Therefore, God gives the church a pastor. A Pastor is to develop a deep sense of what the church is to … Continue reading The Idea Talks – Episode 11 – 5 Priorities of the Lead Pastor
Listen to Audio Notes and Thoughts All leaders will be criticized! If you thirst for the approval of all and recoil at the slightest reproach – get back in line and don’t attempt to lead. Because when you step out from the pack and attempt to lead – you will be criticized. Here are a few things that I’ve learned when encountering criticism: 1. Don’t Shut … Continue reading The Idea Talks – Episode 10 – Leadership and Criticism
I’m a Pastor’s Kid too, so I get it. Being used as a sermon illustration, everyone knowing your name though you haven’t a clue of theirs’, and not being quite sure what your father actually does for a living; these are some of the commonalities of every Pastor’s Kid. So, I wasn’t utterly surprised by the question.“Dad, what do you do all day anyway?” We … Continue reading Top 5 Tasks of a Pastor
In Stella Ting-Toomey’s fascinating book Understanding Intercultural Communication, the author presents eight solid reasons to study intercultural communication. She proposes that it is essential for leaders in the 21st century to understand how to communicate effectively in this ever-shrinking global society. Though she gives eight reasons in the first chapter of her book I will only cover what I believe to be most important four. … Continue reading The Importance of Studying Culture – 4 Reasons
A few weeks ago someone pointed me to a blog that is built upon the premise of tearing down fellow Christians. The entire website seemed dedicated to the proposition of disparaging and destroying people who love God and Christian institutions. You would think this type of thing would be produced by an unbeliever who merely misunderstands Christianity. However, you’d be wrong. The creator of the … Continue reading Why I Won’t Criticize Another Church Leader
At Southern Hills, church would no longer be church without our invaluable Support Staff. Music Ministry We no have dozens of people led by Pastor Jason in our Choir and Praise Team who lead our church in worship every week. These folks sacrificially arrive early and stay for each of our services to use their gifts for the ministry of worship. They not only perform … Continue reading Developing a Great Team – Part 4
I recently started following a guy on Twitter who wrote in his description of himself, “I pray that when I die, all of Hell will rejoice I’m no longer in the fight.” I thought that was awesome! For those of us who have dedicated their lives to the advancement of the Gospel and the pushing back of the gates of Hell, we are energized by the idea of evangelism and the possibility that someone’s eternity might change forever from Heaven to Hell. However, you’ve got to understand, if you are going to be in the fight, you’re going to have to get your hands dirty. Will McRaney Jr. says, “Dealing with lost people will cause us to get our hands dirty and sweaty just like tending to yard work. Part of evangelism is to clear up misconceptions and misperceptions people have about the gospel. Dealing with people and evangelism is often messy.”[1]
