June 2007

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Issue #317:
Put application into your messages

Preaching for life change means showing people how to apply what God's Word says. You’re not just trying to inspire your congregation; your aim is for their transformation into an army on mission for God. Here are five tips to help you make applications a bigger part of your sermons.
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Published Wed, Jun 27 2007 12:00 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Issue Archives
Strive for greatness – refuse to take revenge

Mishandled anger works its way out in our lives in the form of revenge and revenge always leads to retaliation instead of restoration. Ministry is no place for revenge.” Mary Southerland Review: If we are honest, we can admit that we all strive for greatness...

Published Mon, Jun 25 2007 12:43 PM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Strive for greatness – refuse to take revenge
Don’t mess up for free: Learning from ministry mistakes

Failure isn't really failure if you learn from it.” Robert Jeffress, author of Second Chance, Second Act The great theologian Big Bird said: "Everybody makes mistakes." And that includes those of us in ministry. Sometimes our failures...

Published Mon, Jun 25 2007 11:58 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Don’t mess up for free: Learning from ministry mis
Possible ministry opportunities for a successful singles ministry

Editor’s note: This is part four of a series of articles by Saddleback’s Singles Pastor Clayton Coates on putting together a purpose driven singles ministry. Earlier articles addressed the importance of starting a singles ministry , how to get a singles...

Published Mon, Jun 25 2007 11:39 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Possible ministry opportunities for a successful s
Fresh ideas for a Lord’s Supper service

Small enhancements and attention to detail can enliven your church’s celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It’s worth the extra effort!” Diana Davis, author of Fresh Ideas: 1,000 Ways to Grow a Thriving and Energetic Church It’s an apex moment...

Published Mon, Jun 25 2007 11:23 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Fresh ideas for a Lord’s Supper service
Three ways to thrive in your first year in a new pastorate

The first year at a new church can send you to cloud nine and make you sick to your stomach all in the same day. Don’t worry – you’re not alone. The first year is feels like a breathtaking adventure and an insurmountable summit. But you can do it! God...

Published Mon, Jun 25 2007 11:15 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Three ways to thrive in your first year in a new p
Dealing with conflict on church staffs

Conflict is not necessarily bad. In fact, there is a way to do conflict that is pleasing to God.” Tim S. Lane, co-author of Relationships: A Mess Worth Making Conflict – we typically avoid it at all costs until we feel backed into a corner and then we...

Published Mon, Jun 25 2007 10:58 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library
What every staff member wants from a senior pastor

Make it known to the congregation that you’re supportive of us and glad to have us on your staff.” Nathan Kilgore, in the May/June 2007 Rev! Magazine After being around pastors a lot – my grandfather, uncle, father, and father-in-law are senior pastors...

Published Mon, Jun 25 2007 9:36 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, What every staff member wants from a senior pastor
Adding staff on purpose

You build your idea of a leader around where you want people to go. That’s what God has always done.” Tom Holladay, teaching and executive pastor at Saddleback Church Everything begins with leadership. Without a leader, the greatest plan in the world...

Published Mon, Jun 25 2007 9:24 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Adding staff on purpose
Christians learning to be civil in public discourse

By affirming the artistic achievement of a director as talented as Ang Lee, they do not lose culture’s ear; by refusing to endorse the film’s message, they offer conviction without compromise, and offer the culture something it does not already have....

Published Mon, Jun 25 2007 8:26 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Perspectives
The Portable Seminary, David Horton (Bethany House, 2006)

If you've never had the opportunity to attend seminary or you just need a refresher course, this could be a good fit for your library. With chapters on courses like Biblical Languages, Old and New Testament, Apologetics, Christian Education, and all...

Published Wed, Jun 20 2007 7:56 PM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Book Look
Issue #316:
Tips on preaching to the unchurched

Want to reach the unchurched in your community? Develop sermons that speak to their needs. I've discovered over the past 27 years at Saddleback that people will put up with a lot – including hot gymnasiums, cold tents, and crowded parking – when the messages are meeting their needs. Here are five tips to help you preach to the unchurched.

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Published Wed, Jun 20 2007 12:00 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Issue Archives
Life Sentences, Warren W. Wiersbe (Zondervan, 2007)

Written by one of the most respected biblical teachers of the last century, this book gives pastors great overviews of 63 biblical characters – from the most prominent to minor ones. For each character, Wiersbe isolates one key sentence that defines the...

Published Tue, Jun 19 2007 1:48 PM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Book Look
Developing servanthood in leadership

While motives are difficult to describe or define, they are not difficult to discern! Followers have an innate sense of the true motives of their leaders.” Jeff Iorg, The Character of Leadership Servant leadership is, in its essence, an attitude. It is...

Published Mon, Jun 18 2007 12:52 PM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Perspectives, Developing servanthood in leadership
Strive for greatness: Take charge of your wants

We need to be extremely careful that we don’t believe 'our own press' because ultimately, the only evaluation that really counts is the one God gives.” Mary Southerland Review: If we are honest, we can admit that we all strive for greatness in...

Published Mon, Jun 18 2007 12:50 PM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Strive for greatness: Take charge of your wants