Saturday Links
The Problem with Pastors as Rock Stars
Pastors (of churches of any size) need to worry less about their status and be concerned more with God’s mission and His glory. The glory of God should be your recurring song, and with that in mind, it’s OK for rock stardom to fade out and the Morning Star to rise in your place.
Ministry Don’t Explode – They Implode!
Ministers don’t explode. You never hear of a pastor grabbing an Uzi and shooting up a congregation. Ministers implode. That is, the pressure on the outside becomes greater than the pressure on the inside and we’re crushed like an empty soda can. Ministry, however you express it, is giving yourself away. Unless we are intentional to refill our souls, we’ll soon get to the place where we have nothing to give.
When I give a talk or write an article that includes a logical argument, I consciously ask myself five questions.
- Clear: Is the claim that I’m defending sufficiently clear?
- Concise: Is my argument adequately concise?
- Cogent: Is my argument well conceived and well evidenced—and, therefore, logically cogent?
- Consider: Have I considered the possible counter evidence?
- Compelling: Have I used skillful language and powerful metaphors that can serve to compel the will of my listeners?
Seven Reasons Why Evangelism Should Be a Priority of Your Church
Most churches are busy with activities, programs, and ministries. Few churches are truly sending out their members to evangelize those in their communities. The Great Commission has fast become the Great Omission.
The Problem With Playing it Safe
Here’s the problem with playing it safe – safety is not a virtue in the Kingdom of God.
Let’s stop pretending our churches are polished platforms of sanitized morality, speaking sentimentality apart from Truth. Let’s burn the preferences of wooden traditionalism. Let’s quit the silly game of worship experience one-upmanship. Let’s elevate spiritual grit above smooth and seamless operations. We’re in the middle of a serious war. Let’s get real about what we believe and who we’re really following.
