Who Are We Called to Be in These Turbulent Times

by Lynn Anderson A Larry McMurtry novel takes us back to the 1870s, where we meet Mr. Brookshire,  standing on the windy streets in Amarillo, Texas. He is a railroad accountant from Brooklyn, New York, and has come west to line up some Texas Rangers to help him catch a train robbers gang. But Brookshire […]

What I’m Learning in HOPE Network

Grady D. King, D. Min grady@hopenetworkministries.org   The call went something like this. Church Leader: “Could you help us find a minister?” Me: Tell me about your church. Church Leader: “We have some good people. We just need the right minister.” Me: Why would a minister with the characteristics you describe want to come? Sounds […]

Church Leadership that’s Stuck? You Can Get Unstuck

by Grady King: Being a church leader is a high calling with great demands often punctuated with loneliness, self-doubt, and unrealistic expectations. Many leaders do not sleep well or experience sabbath. And it is not merely because of the present pandemic. Before COVID, the realities of an aging church demographic, a post-Christian culture, gender inclusion, […]

The Vanguard Principle for Leaders

by Tod K. Vogt, guest contributor from Mission Alive Near the end of the movie The Patriot, in the climactic battle scene between the British forces and the American Continental Army, two leadership styles emerge. British General Lord Cornwallis and his junior commanders sit safely atop their mounts at the rear of the battlefield. Mel […]

Three Groups of Church Leaders Close to My Heart

by Grady King: The following is in light of 15-20 hours of conversations, emails, texts, and video conferences with church leaders this past week—male and female. Without exception, lack of spiritual leadership, vision, courage, and poor processes are common topics. I am blessed to serve in HOPE Network listening, praying, encouraging, mentoring, guiding, sharing resources, […]

Charge to New Ministers Entering Ministry

by Grady King Congratulations! You have worked hard. You have done your share of late-night papers, projects and assignments. And, you have endured. Now what? No matter the path your take from here, church ministry, missions, Bible translation or The Academy, hold on to Christ, no matter what. Your vocation—your calling is to be IN […]

Fired! Terminated! Let go! (We’re going a different direction…”)

by Grady King– Say it anyway you want, termination is always difficult, no matter which side of the desk you are on. When it comes to the termination of a minister, the ramifications are legion for him, his family, the leadership and the church. In recent weeks I have listened to the gut wrenching stories […]

Some Honest Reflections on Ministry

by Grady King –  As you know, I am blessed to work with many church leaders in HOPE Network. Most of my time is spent coming alongside of ministers and elders. I cannot think of a time in my life that ministry is needed and more demanding emotionally. I found some notes from a farewell […]

Principles of Elder Selection Processes

by Jon Mullican –  Almost every church chooses leaders. Churches of Christ usually select “elders” to serve and lead congregations. Some churches also call them “shepherds.” Paul writes in Timothy 3 and in his letter to Titus (Titus 1:5-9) about the qualities a shepherd and his wife should possess. Most Churches of Christ use these […]

Leaders as Weight Bearers

by Grady King –  A friend of mine recently reminded me that good leaders are weight bearers. The phrase, “weight bearers” conjures up carrying a load, bearing burdens, being responsible.  Inherent to all of this is anxiety.  No church rejected Paul more than the Corinthian church. Paul, however, yearned for them to be devoted to […]

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