lessons in ministry I've learned: part III

Anger, anonymous notes,
and malicious rumors typically
indicate internal issues of
another kind having little
to do with the
person or people
who are targeted.

There has not been a moment
in the history of the church
when we have NOT wrestled
with each other about the
music we sing.

Myth:
We've always done it this way.

The church does not belong to the minister.
The church does not belong to the Elder.
The church does not belong to the congregation.
The church belongs to Christ.

Some churches were created to be small.

Ministry that is vital and healthy
must,
must,
must,
be balanced.

Too much pastoral care
makes a church insular
and "me" oriented".

Too much administration
only produces policies and procedure...
replacing grace with law.

Too much fellowship
and the church is just
another fraternity or sorority.

Too much outreach
and people tend not to notice
the needs within the walls of the church.

Too much Bible study
leaves little opportunity to live
what we say we believe.

Too little Bible study
and we don't have a clue
what we believe.

Too much talk and we can't hear...
God
or
others.

Too little talk and we don't allow
God to use our voice, mind, heart.

Too much emphasis
on history and tradition
and we shut out God's Holy Spirit to
create new beginnings, new life.

Too much focus on the present and
we ignore God who is behind us.