The Just One Sunday

Challenge and site found here

Links Galorie for August.

The following are some articles I've come across the internet that have dealt with church, and ministry lately. HT to Doug and Davon.


Biblical illiteracy is not the problem

10 Characteristics of Growing Churches

The Upside of Tension

Congregations Gone Wild

Fourteen People You should know in Your Community.

Moving to a new ministry or in the midst of one? Want to know who you should connect with and why?

Here are some good suggestions:

I. Local Education personnel - a teacher, educator, principal etc. They can give you insight to the local schools, the school board, and the INs and OUTs of ministering to them.

II. Hospital Personnel - where are the local hospitals, medical facilities, policies, visiting hours etc.

III. Chaplains - Gives you a spiritual insight to where you live and how the policies and procedures work. I appreciated the chaplains here helping me with resources for "pastoral care" and getting to know how to minister more effectively.

IV. Funeral Directors - know where the local funeral homes are. As what resources they offer to help the bereaved. Take advantage and interest in what they do. My first "Funeral" visit in MD was where a lady had a fishing pole in one hand and a cigarette in another. Very amusing.

V. Office supply personnel - know where to get office supplies. Who does mailing, mass purchases etc.

VI. Graphic Designs - Know who to goto when you need something done for graphics, marketing etc.

VII. IT, technology personnel - best to know people or businesses that do multi-media in the area - from music, computers to digital signs. Website hosting etc. (Still working on this area)

VIII. Local Network of Co-workers. I goto a monthly preachers' meeting. Try not to miss it. Well worth it for the encouragement, study, pray and just knowing you're in this together for the Kingdom.

IX. Local media personnel - get to know where your local paper is. Take a tour. Get to know the editors. Know where the local TV station, radio is. We've recently did this for our "Final Week Re-enactment Drive Through" and was powerful to know people in the community know our church.

X. Social Services outlets - know what organizations are out there helping the hurting, financially distressed, homeless etc.

XI. Law Enforcement - always good to know your local police, fire officers etc.

XII. Business Professionals - know what works what doesn't. Learn from leadeership.

XIII. Community Leaders. Politicians etc. Know who is who. My first month here I received a letter of welcome from the local delegate - welcoming me to the community. First impressions last.

XIV. You. Get to not only know yourself but others in the community. Get to know as many people as possible. Connect. Build Genuine relationships. Be authentic. And be the hands and feet of Jesus to others.

Other thoughts?

COUNSELING Sign of weakness or strength?

"Would you go?

Why is it in so many Christian circles counseling is seen as a weakness? This is true especially among ministers? Oh they are fine to give counsel to others but they would never dream of going for counseling themselves. So many pastors feel like it is a sign of weakness and fail to accept the fact they NEED counseling. Many take the false belief, "We are supposed to be super spiritual humans...faster than a speeding crisis and able to leap tall problems in a single bound." Bottom line the source for this kind of thinking is pride. Yes, good old pride. One of the sings God hates. It's pride that says, "I don't need help. I can fix it myself." It's pride that says, "I don't want anybody to know that I'm not perfect and I have problems." Who are you kidding? We all face problems in life and sometimes we need a hand to help pull us out of the hole we fell into."

Read the Rest of the Article


So is it a sign of weakness or strength? what are your thoughts?

You Matter to your Staff!

My latest Article

Top Ten Ways to get over the Ministry Dip

I'm a Guest Blogger! The Article can be read Here


Thoughts?

To have Halloween or not have Halloween?

Seems that is the question


As a church we don't do anything ...we think parents are smart enough to educate their own children ...if they want to trick or treat ..fine ... if they think Halloween is evil (Fine - but my kids aren't sharing their candy with their's)

Just saw a 1/4 of a page AD for a Church near here. Here is the AD ....

Hallelujah Night "The Christian Alternative to Halloween"
Wednesday October 31 6:30 - 8:30
Food, Fun, Games & Fellowship for everyone
Bring canned goods for the food pantry and pennies to help raise money for the Children's Home!

Costume Contest

For Anyone who comes dressed as a Biblical character. (Umm so witches are mentioned in the Bible would that be ok???)

No wonder non-Christians are so confused about our holy huddle and Christian subculture. Aren't we suppose to be salt and light to the world, in the world, yet not of it?? (Can someone tell me where that line is BTW?)

(MY children are going trick or Treating)

I think we have to go in with this - with discernment ... My children will not of course being dressing as witches ... (One is scared of everything as it is). Colossians 2:16 comes to mind here.