September 2008

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Ask and you will receive

Good fathers want to give their kids good gifts. Now if this is true of earthly parents (and grandparents), imagine what our Heavenly Parent wants to give us if only we would ask. Mary Southerland I have always loved giving gifts to...

Published Thu, Sep 18 2008 11:58 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Ask and you will receive
Guidelines for pastors on speaking about the election

LAKE FOREST, Calif. – With one of the most talked-about U.S. elections in recent memory right around the corner, people everywhere are debating the issues – that’s everywhere except in many churches around the country. Fearing the loss of their church...

Published Thu, Sep 18 2008 11:52 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Guidelines for pastors on speaking about the elect
Requirements for offering perfect praise

Worship to God should include everything we do. Our very breathing in and out is an expression of our worship and a testimony to God’s faithfulness in our lives. Praise is a part of worship. While all acceptable praise is worship, not all worship is praise...

Published Thu, Sep 18 2008 11:48 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Requirements for offering perfect praise
Bible Bytes -- 9/18/2008

"God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins...

Published Thu, Sep 18 2008 11:32 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Bible Bytes
Saddleback Sayings -- 9/18/2008

"God is love and he wants us to grow up to be like him. The height of maturity is not how much doctrine you know. The height of maturity is how deeply you love." Rick Warren

Published Thu, Sep 18 2008 11:31 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Saddleback Sayings, Rick Warren
God’s P.A.T.H. for parenting: part one

Everyone at your church can benefit from a parenting series. Whether someone is married with children, a single parent, in a blended family or stepfamily, a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or whether their only relationship with parents is that they had some...

Published Thu, Sep 18 2008 11:28 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, God’s P.A.T.H. for parenting: part one
Notes & Quotes -- Michael Johnson

“Pressure is nothing more than the shadow of great opportunity.” Michael Johnson

Published Thu, Sep 18 2008 10:45 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Notes & Quotes
Notes & Quotes -- The New York Times (September 12, 2008)

The slow economy seems to be helping lottery sales. Of the 42 state lotteries in existence, 29 of them reported increased sales this fiscal year. At least 22 of those state lotteries have had record sales this year. The New York Times (September 12, 2008...

Published Thu, Sep 18 2008 10:44 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Notes & Quotes
Notes & Quotes -- Sam Keen, from To Love and Be Loved

“We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.” Sam Keen, from To Love and Be Loved

Published Thu, Sep 18 2008 10:42 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Notes & Quotes
How to increase small group participation

I’ve had the privilege of being a member of Saddleback Church for 22 years. I attended the church for almost nine months before I went to the membership class. And in that membership class, they cast a vision: “Come help us reach our community for Christ...

Published Thu, Sep 18 2008 10:39 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Perspectives, How to increase small group participation
Invitation: Billy Graham and the Lives God Touched, By Basyle and Aram Tchividjian (Multnomah/Random House, 2008)

As Billy Graham’s 90th birthday approaches, his grandsons offer this book full of stories and photographs that explore the profound impact Graham’s ministry has had on the lives of multitudes of people. The grandsons decided to write Invitation after...

Published Thu, Sep 18 2008 10:37 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Book Look
What to do when you feel taken for granted

People have short memories. It doesn’t take long in ministry to realize this. One day you’re leading someone to Christ, the next day they’ve left for the new church down the street. One day someone says they loved the sermon, the next day they can’t remember...

Published Thu, Sep 18 2008 10:33 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Purpose-Driven Pastor, What to do when you feel taken for granted
Issue #361:
What to do when you feel taken for granted

Have you ever been taken for granted in ministry? If you’re a leader, you’ve probably felt forgotten at some point. In this issue, we’ll look at the example of Moses and learn what to do – and what not to do – when you feel taken for granted by those you serve.
Read More

Published Wed, Sep 17 2008 12:00 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Issue Archives
Turn your mistakes into opportunities

God works through our mistakes, knowing there is strength in pain that can be gained no other way. Mary Southerland I am sure you have heard the story of Ivory soap, the “soap that floats.” Years ago, this soap was just another brand among...

Published Fri, Sep 5 2008 11:18 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Turn your mistakes into opportunities
Don’t lead alone

As pastors, we take our role of shepherding the flock seriously. But as a church grows, it’s impossible for a few staff members to oversee all the members’ needs. Have you noticed that? That’s where small groups come in. Building a healthy small...

Published Fri, Sep 5 2008 11:12 AM by MTBEditor

Filed under: Ministry Library, Don’t lead alone