National Association of Christian Ministers, NACM, christian ordination ordained minister

We Christians are an interesting breed because we all generally believe we hear from God. What becomes remarkable is when we misinterpret the voices of our egos as the prompting of the Holy Spirit. This is probably the single biggest reason for the breaking of fellowship between Brothers and Sisters in the faith.

Consider this outline:

1) Two Christians meet each other and form a friendship around their faith.

2) One fails to meet the others expectations and then they communicate that disappointment.

3) The other responds with resentment.

4) At this point both begin to question the other one’s competence.

The relationship spirals downward until dissolution.

In such as situation, both individuals believe that they are correct and that the Holy Spirit has given them insight into the other person’s life.

But what about themselves? Ahhh…that is the question that goes unconsidered.

Questions for Reflection:

How have you seen this pattern take place in times past?

How can knowing the above help you to prevent the loss of future friendships/relationships?

All rights reserved.  Blog authored by Michael Mooney for:

National Association of Christian Ministers (NACM) www.nacministers.com

Ordained Minister's Free Online Guide to Mentorship, Pastoring, Personal & Leadership Development

Sources:

Influencing With Integrity Management Skills for Communication and Negotiation, (1997) Genie Z. Laborde

A Strategy for Planning

Jesus once said something very important about planning:

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he may have enough to finish it; lest perhaps, after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all those seeing begin to mock him” (Luk 14:28-29).

The truth is that we have to make decisions on a daily basis. Sometimes these decisions are more serious than others.  When we are faced with making “big” decisions it really helps to as Jesus said, “count the costs”, and to form a plan.

In the world a business there is a strategy for this known as a SWOT analysis.  It calls for us to view our potential plans or circumstances in the context of their:   

S –strengths

W- weaknesses

O- opportunities

T –threats

The Strengths and Weakness are viewed from within, and the Opportunities and Threats are viewed from without.   In terms of personal development an example would look like this:

Within:

What are the strengths with me?

What are the weaknesses with me?

Without:

What are the opportunities around me?

What are the threats around me?

Many people think that they know this stuff about themselves –often thinking that this process is not necessary. However, the truth is that we are usually most blind to our own blind spots. Establishing this information will do amazing things to improve our abilities to make decisions. This happens by helping us to put into perspective the “costs” involved the directions we may take with our lives.  Without such information we are only left to make decisions based on intuition, and lacking clarity about our overall purposes.

All rights reserved.  Blog authored by Michael Mooney for:

National Association of Christian Ministers (NACM) www.nacministers.com

Ordained Minister's Free Online Guide to Mentorship, Pastoring, Personal & Leadership Development 

Sources:

Blocher, E. J.,Stout, D. Cokins, G., & Chen, K. H. (2006). Cost management: A strategic emphasis, (4th ed.).Boston: McGraw Hill.

Networking God's Way

“A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. –Sir Francis Bacon

The truth is that all of us desire opportunities.  Some want jobs, others want contacts, others want to minster in new places, etc.  However, the human condition is to place our desires before those of others.  Often we do this without ever realizing it.  We meet new people and throw out a little “bait and hook” in the form of attempts to find similar interests.  If we are not careful, we talk in terms of our interests, dreams, hopes, and desires. When the other person does not soon respond to meeting our interests we determine that we have nothing in common. In other words, we decide that there is no perceived future value to continuing the relationship. 

This approach totally misses Paul’s instruction: “Do not let each man look upon his own things, but each man also on the things of others (Php 2:4 MKJV).

Consider the below things that most Christian ministers have in common:

1) We all love Jesus

2) We all wish to minister to others in some way or another

3) We all have a need or desire (work, opportunities, etc.)

4) We all have a way to help someone else meet their need or desire (we know someone with a job opening, ministry opportunity, or posses some technical knowledge, etc.)

Knowing this is essential.  Zig Ziglar says:

"You can have anything in life that you want, if you will be willing to help someone else get what they want".

The problem is that many people want opportunities, but they are not positioning themselves to make opportunities for others. This is why networking does not work for them.  May we be careful to remember Paul’s instruction in Php 2:4, and go into the world making more opportunities than we find.  Doing this will change the world for others, as well as ourselves.  Opportunities will become more abundant than we ever imagined!

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National Association of Christian Ministers (NACM) www.nacministers.com

Ordained Minister's Free Online Guide to Mentorship, Pastoring, Personal & Leadership Development

Let's face it, there is no fun in correcting people or telling them that they are wrong about something...

"People ask you for criticism but they only want praise" -Somerset Maugham

"The best argument is that which seems merely an explanation" -Dale Carnegie

Consider this Biblical example:

So the LORD sent Nathan to David. Nathan came to him and said, "There were two men in a certain city. One was rich, and the other was poor. The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cows, but the poor man had only one little female lamb that he had bought. He raised her, and she grew up in his home with his children. She would eat his food and drink from his cup. She rested in his arms and was like a daughter. "Now, a visitor came to the rich man. The rich man thought it would be a pity to take one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler. So he took the poor man's lamb and prepared her for the traveler." David burned with anger against the man. "I solemnly swear, as the LORD lives," he said to Nathan, "the man who did this certainly deserves to die!  And he must pay back four times the price of the lamb because he did this and had no pity." "You are the man!" Nathan told David. "This is what the LORD God of Israel says... (2Sa 12:1-7).

In the above passage of scripture we see a brilliant method of communicating a negative message. God told Nathan to go and tell the king that he was an adulterer. David could have shouted "off with his head"! But notice that Nathan told him that he was wrong in the form of a story.

Speaking from personal experience, I never met a person who really appreciated my telling them that they were wrong. Maybe a wise person "should" appreciate correction, but there is a vast difference between the way things "should" be and the way things "are".  It is better to live and communicate in reality than in a world of ideals.

For this reason, communicating a word of fault or correction to people is easier done in the form of a story.  Jesus did this all the time in parables.  Stories allow people to separate themselves (and their egos) from the dissonance associated with correction.  They allow people to step outside of their own personal involvement and view the situation more objectively.  When this approach is used, you also protect yourself from being the "mean nasty person" or the target of the other person's anger.

However, there is one more word of instruction. Nathan specifically told David that he was the object of the story. This is because God told him to do this.  Contrarily, Jesus rarely ever associated a specific person or group to his parables.  Jesus' example will often prove the best way of using this technique.

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National Association of Christian Ministers (NACM) www.nacministers.com

Ordained Minister's Free Online Guide to Mentorship, Pastoring, Personal & Leadership Development

Philosophy of Ministry/Vision/Leadership -point to ponder:

What if God is or is not in it? Does success mean blessing?

Consider the below Scripture:

Then there stood up one in the Sanhedrin, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of the Law honored among all the people. And he commanded the apostles to be put outside a little space. (Act 5:34)

And he said to them, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. (Act 5:35)

For before these days Theudas rose up, boasting himself to be somebody; a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves to him; who was slain. And all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered and brought to nothing. (Act 5:36)

After this one, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the Registration, and drew away considerable people after him. Yet that one perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered. (Act 5:37)

And now I say to you, Withdraw from these men and let them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will come to nothing. (Act5:38)

But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it, lest perhaps you be found even to fight against God. (Act 5:39)

Interpretive questions:

1) Should Christian ministers use Gamaliel's reasoning regarding the work of the Lord?

2) Does our definition of "success" equal God's approval?

3) Are there other religious movements that cannot be of God that seem to fit into our terms of "success"?

4) How can Gamaliel's reasoning damage Christian faith?

5) How can Christians use Gamaliel's reasoning as a crutch for perceived failure?

6) How can Gamaliel's reasoning encourage Christian faith?

7) How can Christians use Gamaliel's reasoning as a crutch for perceived success?

All rights reserved.  Blog authored by Michael Mooney for:

National Association of Christian Ministers (NACM) www.nacministers.com

Ordained Minister's Free Online Guide to Mentorship, Pastoring, Personal & Leadership Development

Ministers Must be Accessible

In today’s world there are a growing number of reasons why ministers begin to position themselves as unapproachable.  Some common reasons are: busyness, or too many people in the congregation, and sometimes even spiritual pride.  (Some ministers have even gone so far as to appoint “armor bearers” that serve as an intermediate contact between themselves and their parishioners.) 

Then bottom line here is that often ministers make the mistake of becoming unavailable to God’s people.  When this happens, it may work for them for awhile; however, it is bound to catch up with them.  Eventually they will begin to lose rapport and trust with the people to whom they minister.  The results of such can be devastating to any ministry leaving it virtually ineffective and fruitless.

Consider Jesus’ leadership approach to ministry:

Then little childrenwere brought to Him, that He should put His hands on them and pray. And thedisciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Allow the little children to come toMe, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of Heaven (Mat 19:13-14).

Jesus, the minister of all ministers and the greatest leader who ever walked the earth never became so busy that he was unable to spend a few moments blessing a small child. There is great power in this principal. May we the ministers of the Gospel never forget this example, for it is paramount to our ability to continue in leadership.

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National Association of Christian Ministers (NACM) www.nacministers.com

Ordained Minister's Free Online Guide to Mentorship, Pastoring, Personal & Leadership Development

The goals of a Christian Leader are:

1) To help others discover and develop their gifts

2) To guide others to a heart of service

The leader (in any organization) should be a facilitator. One who empowers others to reach their highest competence and potential.

What you will gain:

Leading people gives you the opportunity to grow by changing the human tendency to shun people who are not like ourselves.

Scripture:

I appeal to your spiritual leaders. I make this appeal as a spiritual leader who also witnessed Christ's sufferings and will share in the glory that will be revealed. Be shepherds over the flock God has entrusted to you. Watch over it as God does: Don't do this because you have to, but because you want to. Don't do it out of greed, but out of a desire to serve. Don't be rulers over the people entrusted to you, but be examples for the flock to follow. Then, when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1Pe 5:1-4)

Peter points out two important things:

1) Don't do this because you have to, but because you want to.  The Leader's attitude is everything!

2) Don't be rulers over the people entrusted to you, but be examples for the flock to follow.  Leaders are to empower people, as opposed to exercising power over them.

Meditation questions:

1) List one way in which a leader can help someone discover their gifting without making it obvious that they are being "lead" in the direction of personal growth.

2) What does it mean to guide others to a heart of service (in the church and in the business world).

3) How might you benefit by leading people with whom you may have a personality conflict?

4) Why is attitude so important to Leadership?

5) What does this statement mean to you: Leaders are to empower people, as opposed to exercising power over them?

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National Association of Christian Ministers (NACM) www.nacministers.com

Ordained Minister's Free Online Guide to Mentorship, Pastoring, Personal & Leadership Development

Samuel Butler rather cynically observed that "The public buys its opinions as it buys milk, on the principal that it is cheaper to do so than to keep a cow.”  In response to that quote Professor Ronald Munson says “people are undeniably inclined to buy opinions that conform to what they already believe or would like to believe.  An automatic acceptance of claims that fit in comfortably with attitudes already held saves the painand effort of critical thought” (The Way of Words, 271).

How many times have we been guilty of this?  In all honesty the number is probably too many to recall.  Unfortunately, this biased way of thinking can stand in the way of our progress.  It will cause us to avoid objectivity and to seek only information that already agrees with our previously held ideas and convictions.  Thereby, cutting off the opportunity of new thought patterns, we will only be limited to regurgitating our old ways.  Just as worse is the way it will affect our Bible study and spiritual growth.  We will find ourselves reading scripture only to reach the same conclusions (as though we could have never been wrong in our previous interpretations).  Let our prayer be that God will guide us from the deceptions of this biased way of thinking.

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National Association of Christian Ministers (NACM) www.nacministers.com

Ordained Minister's Free Online Guide to Mentorship, Pastoring, Personal & Leadership Development

Often people sense a call of God to ministry. In response to the call they find themselves not knowing whether to start a church or a ministry. The best way to approach this question is to consider the differences between the two:

A Church is a well structured organization defined inscripture regarding its protocol and governance. In other words, a church must have pastor(s), elder(s), deacon(s), etc.

However, a ministry is much more flexible. It is only governed by the principals of Christianity without the protocols of a church.  It may or may not have pastor(s), elder(s), deacon(s), etc.

It should be noted that one is not better than the other. However, one may be a better fit to the minister who has decided to answer their call. 

Application: For example, let’s say that a divorced woman believes that she is called to be a pastor.  In some Christian circles she will have two strikes against her, 1) she is a woman, and 2) she is divorced.  If she feels that she must interact with people who hold these prejudices, it may be her to advantage to start a “ministry”.  Then if someone attempts to invalidate her role as a pastor she can remind them that the Bible does not define the office of a pastor over a ministry –as opposed to a church.

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National Association of Christian Ministers (NACM) www.nacministers.com

Ordained Minister's Free Online Guide to Mentorship, Pastoring, Personal & Leadership Development

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”(Mat 6:21 MKJV).

Often people look at this passage to determine where their heart "is" by examining their treasures. In other words, many would use this verse to say,“If your treasure is in wealth your heart will be in wealth, and if it is inGod so will your heat. While this is true, this perspective is still somewhat limited to finding where our heart is in a “reactive” way.

This verse can also be “proactive”. In this passage Jesus teaches us somethingvery insightful. He tells us that we can choose where our heart is by choosingour treasures. There are lots of things that we should treasure: our spouses, families, church, the Bible etc. If we will start treating these people andthings in a way that is “valuable”, we will begin to discover their value!

Men, if we start opening the door for your wives and treating them like a princess, we will begin to believe that they are.

So what is valuable to you? What could you do to increase its value? The sky is the limit!

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National Association of Christian Ministers (NACM) www.nacministers.com

Ordained Minister's Free Online Guide to Mentorship, Pastoring, Personal & Leadership Development

There seems to be a distorted concept that all decisions are “either or” and “right or wrong”.  While it is true that some decisions are wrong (such as sin), in many cases of everyday life our decisions are “grey” and are neither black nor white.  In such cases, it is all the more difficult to discern the path we should take.

The Apostle Peter said that believers should tell the Father of their troubles because He cares (5:7). God is concerned with the anxieties of believers, such which are often caused by the need to make high risk decisions. God is never too busy for the troubles of His children. Jesus said that not even one sparrow falls to the ground without the Father’s interest in knowing it (Mat 10:29). For this reason Jesus said to ask of God and He will provide (Mat 7:7).

It is not God’s will that His children be troubled with the fears caused by this world, but rather that there be peace (Jo 14:27). Indecisiveness is far from a place of rest, and long enough in this condition can lead to instability (James 1:8). For this reason God’s word instructs believers to ask God for wisdom and direction, declaring that it is His pleasure to provide it abundantly (James 1:5). Often the answer has already been given by the illuminating guidance of scripture (Psa 119:105).

In the midst of abstract situations where it is difficult to get clarity abou thow to respond, it becomes all too easy to rely upon human reasoning that leads astray (Pro 16:25). However, God’s ways and thoughts are not like those of finite men (Isa 55:8). The wisdom of Solomon is that believers should not rely solely on their human abilities to reason, but rather to acknowledge God in their decisions with the expectation that He will offer providential direction (Pro 3:5-6). No matter what decision is made, the children of God can restassured that He is in control of the outcome (Pro 16:9, 33), and working all of it together for His sovereign goodness (Rom 8:28). Therefore believers can restassured that God who takes pleasure in walking with them directs their paths (Psa37:23-25)!

In light of the above, a believer really cannot make the “wrong decision” (unrelated to sin) because God will use it for good by teaching them to be more like Him.  What a comfort that is.

All rights reserved.  Blog authored by Michael Mooney for:

National Association of Christian Ministers (NACM) www.nacministers.com

Ordained Minister's Free Online Guide to Mentorship, Pastoring, Personal & Leadership Development

The Call for Communication:

In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (1Pe 3:15-16 ESV).

In other words we should not beat people over the head with the truth, but rather we should communicate with "gentleness" and "respect".

Protocol:

Remember this, my dear brothers and sisters: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and should not get angry easily. An angry person doesn't do what God approves of. (Jas 1:19-20).

Ministers should be ever ready to hear the hearts and burdens of other people –first.  Then they should respond without anger.

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Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Eph 4:29 ESV).

Ministers should never speak things that are indecent, but rather they should speak in context for the purpose of building-up the listeners.

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Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. (Pro 4:24 ESV).

Ministers should always be honest and not play games with words.  

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Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Col 4:6 ESV).

Salt is a preservative and a wonderful source of flavor.  Ministers should answer people in a way preserves their conversation, seasons their thoughts, and that suits the personality of those who hear.  

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In Revelation chapters 2-3 we see that Jesus first praised the churches before he admonished them.

This is a powerful approach to correction.  Opening statements of reproof should be seasoned with a word of encouragement or praise if at all possible.  Doing so will greatly increase the chances of people listening.

All rights reserved.  Blog authored by Michael Mooney for:

National Association of Christian Ministers (NACM) www.nacministers.com

Ordained Minister's Free Online Guide to Mentorship, Pastoring, Personal & Leadership Development