What kind of men ought we to be? I think a lot about what it means to finish well in life. So many men become disengaged and cynical and relegate spiritual growth to simply being a good person and attending church occasionally. But this posture will not help us finish well. Finishing well means […]
by I have seldom met a church that did not say, “We’re a friendly church!” or “We welcome all people.” Here’s the truth. Most churches consider themselves more friendly than they really are, and every church has a sophisticated screening system of who is welcome and who is not. I am fortunate to visit many […]
Authors : Grady King
Tags : Church Assessment, Healthy Church
by Woodcrest Church started twelve years ago in a store front. Now, some 3,000 people flock each weekend to its sparkling and spacious new suburban campus. Meanwhile, the Walnut Street Church a few miles away has been in a slow, steady, decade-long decline. Its leaders are discouraged. Almost every week they are greeted by the […]
Authors : Mark Frost
by Grady King In HOPE Network, it is a privilege to come alongside ministers, elders and churches. I am grateful people are seeking help and resources. One of the traits of a healthy marriage or family is asking for help. I receive weekly calls from a member of a preacher search team. I do not […]
Authors : Grady King
Tags : Transitions
by Tim Woodroof The conversion of Saul drained much of the energy from the persecution that had scattered the Jerusalem church. The arrests and seizures dwindled. So long as Christians kept their heads down, the Jerusalem authorities decided to leave them more-or-less alone. When word of that spread, believers began to drift back to the […]
Authors : Tim Woodroof
Tags : Church Assessment, Church Renewal
by Some people think they can just say anything to a minister–respectful or not and it’s okay. It’s not. When it comes to how to treat a minister, the Golden Rule still applies–“do to others as you would have them do to you” (Mt 7.12). Or, does it? Four decades of ministry. […]
Authors : Grady King
Tags : Healthy Church
by It’s over. The long awaited day when the minister would say his last parting words to a church has come and gone. Whether choosing to leave on good terms, follow a new call, or being terminated, there is grief. The emotions run the gamut from deep sadness and grief to relief. Some church members who […]
Authors : Grady King
Tags : Transitions
by Jim Martin How do you stay sane when there is so much craziness that surrounds ministry? Good question. Craziness is everywhere! It seems to be a constant in this broken, unredeemed world. Everyone has to deal with the brokenness of the world. Sometimes others’ brokenness can be sharp and jagged, cutting bystanders like broken […]
Authors : Jim Martin
Tags : Leadership Encouragement
By Jim Martin Do you listen well? One of the most important tasks for any church leader is listening. Listening can be incredibly difficult. In fact, most of us have had far more training in speaking than in listening. A few suggestions: Listen intently. This means eye contact. This means paying attention to body […]
Authors : Jim Martin
Tags : Leadership Coaching
by Jim Martin This morning, I’m thinking about you — a church leader. You may be a minister in some role in a congregation. Maybe you preach each Sunday. So much of what you do takes place away from public view. I suspect you are busy. You’ve glanced at this post to see if it […]
Authors : Jim Martin
Tags : Leadership Encouragement
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