This is a debate that, quite honestly, I’m sort of sick of listening to. If you’re in ministry, you know where I’m going with this. It’s the popular notion that somehow evangelism and discipleship are competing dynamics within the church, and that as leaders, we must somehow choose a side and base our entire philosophy of ministry around that paradigm. Continue reading “Evangelism vs. Discipleship”
Words I thought I would never say… Before you use this outrageous statement as a reason to justify your critical spirit, first allow me to elaborate on a few important details:
So if I clearly dislike critics, why would I say they’re awesome? Because…
If you have someone criticizing you for following God’s calling over your life, don’t stress. No one remembers a critic. I choose to take my criticism from the people who love me and are invest in my life, family, and ministry. Anyone else, doesn’t really get why you’re doing it anyway. Those “doing” will always be misunderstood by those who are not. Consider the source, take useful feedback, and leave the rest. Choose to see the potential… even in a critic.
Blessings,
Pastor John
No, not the one by Stephen King! This It is by pastor and church leader, Craig Groeschel about the quality that some churches (and organizations) have that makes them succeed, grow, expand, thrive and have obvious momentum. It’s as if God blesses everything some churches do and they can’t ever mess it up. We don’t know what it is. But we know it when we see it, and we want it too. We also know when we don’t see it. We say things like, “This place just doesn’t have it.”
It’s God’s hand of favor and blessing that, aside from the Holy Spirit, we don’t know how to quantify it. But we want to understand it, because we want it! It talks about “it“, literally. I was most pleased with how much time in the book Groeschel takes to stand upon Biblical principles. He does not take the time to try explaining something that we’re all familiar with, yet cannot articulate. Rather, he talks about where God seems to give it the most, and how we can stand upon solid principle and find ourselves in a position to receive it, use it for the Kingdom, and keep receiving it.
I wanted to pick a favorite page or chapter, but the truth is, this book is full of it! That was a compliment, I swear… Anyone in ministry, or considering going into ministry, should get It, read It, and practice It. I loved It…
Blessings,
John
The phrase no pain, no gain has been a mantra for athletes and fitness junkies for years. And what they understand about physical pain needs to be broadened to a much more general use in all of our lives. Pain hurts. That's the whole problem. No one enjoys it, and if someone does, we rightfully
The Premium of Pain