I recently read an article by Thom Rainer entitled ‘The One Common Factor of Effective Church Leaders’. He began the article by asking a critical question, “Is it possible to find one common factor in the lives and ministries of the most effective church leaders?” He answered, “I think so” and then went on to say that “The most effective church leaders are being continuously and intentionally mentored… …it is the difference between good leadership and great leadership for most church leaders.” Having made his point with some conviction, Thom Rainer however had to conclude that “mentoring is missing in over 90% of church leaders’ lives today.”
After …
Category: Mentoring
WORDS THAT HAVE SHAPED MY LIFE 17-24
(17) “MY FATHER IS AT WORK”
An amazing breakthrough came to me after reading Henry Blackaby’s book Experiencing God , that brought to life the words of Jesus after He had offended the religious leaders for healing a man on the sabbath. In reply, Jesus explained His reason for breaking their traditions and living His unpredictable life. “My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too am working…..the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” John 5:17,19 A sense of relief gradually settled in my spirit when …
LEADERS’ MARRIAGES – A PRIORITY OF HIGHEST ORDER
All of life is a learning experience.
Throughout the course of my life I have participated in learning experiences that have been of a formal, non-formal and informal nature.
Some of my best learning opportunities have occurred in the less intentional informal moments in the school of life. In these experiences, learning has taken place through observing people who unexpectedly created a teachable moment for me in the high calling of married life.
Three memorable encounters that occurred in earlier years of my ministry brought to my attention the importance of Leaders’ Marriages – A Priority of Highest Order.
INFORMAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE 1 – DONALD McGAVRAN
Donald McGavran was the …
CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS……CAREFULLY! Your future depends on it
One of the wisest persons in the Bible wrote the following words that have served me well in my life of ministry :
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, But the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:26
So important was this principle for his readers to take to heart, that he repeated it in varying ways through the book of Proverbs.
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20
“A gossip betrays a confidence, so avoid anyone who talks too much.” Proverbs 20:19
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, …