Ministry Focus & Equipping | Christian Ministry Training Blog

5 Signs Ministry Leadership Has Turned Abusive

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center

Sadly, spiritual abuse can happen in churches when leaders fail to heed the warning in Romans 12:3 to not think more highly of ourselves than we should. Being in a position of leadership doesn’t mean we are better than someone else. It doesn’t give us the right to control others according to Jesus (Mk. 10:42-45).

Signs of Abusive Leadership

You can know church or ministry leadership has moved from biblical leadership to abusive control when:

1) People are emotionally demeaned.

They are consistently or persistently criticized or belittled, made to feel worthless and guilty even when they aren’t.

2) People are spiritually denigrated.

They are made to feel that only the leaders know what God wants, that their spiritual experience can never measure up.

3) People are socially denied.

They are expected to spend all of their free time with church people and not to look beyond leadership for counsel or input.

4) People are mentally dismissed.

They are not permitted to make even little decisions in their own spheres of ministry, needing approval for every change no matter how small.

5) People are physically dominated.

They are given mandates on what to wear, eat, watch, listen to, read, etc., or face ostracism.

In essence, when leaders lack respect, trust, and mutual-submission with their members, abuse is likely to be present. When leaders begin to control rather than serve, abuse is likely to be present. Instead, we need to exhibit Christ-like behavior with one another. Jesus came to serve, not be served. — 5 Signs Ministry Leadership Has Turned Christ-like

You might also want to read: Servant-Oriented Leadership

Creativity Needed in All of Ministry, Not Just Teaching

Posted on December 8, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 5 Comments ↓

Often when we think of creativity, we think of teaching. Rightly so in that there are so many benefits in being a creative teacher. Teachers need to work at turning the benefits of creativity into reality. Creativity, however, belongs in all of ministry, not just teaching.

Examples of Creativity Needed in Ministry in Addition to Bible Teaching

Pastors and elders need to think outside of the box to hold true to the Word of God while reaching an ever changing world. Not everything changes in a changing world. They must learn to be creative in form while maintaining the substance.

Ministry leaders and those involved in staffing need a good dose of creativity in structuring so that busy people will volunteer in ways that fit their schedule as well as their spiritual gifting.

People helpers involved in ministering to the poor or unemployed must think through creative ways of raising funds and supplies to help those in need as they find themselves facing decreased donations and resultant budget deficits in a bad economy.

However you serve —
You can choose to do ministry the way you’ve always done it but you will probably face increasing frustration and discouragement as you watch attendance decrease and interest wane. Or, you can look to our creative God who made you in His image to provide you with the wisdom and ideas to get people’s attention and then point them to an Almighty, Sovereign God who is just as relevant today as He was yesterday.

It’s About Lining Up with God

Posted on December 2, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 7 Comments ↓

If I had to state a top priority for equipping people for ministry, it would be that of helping them line up with God. It is so easy to let circumstances, personality bents, and what has been modeled for us dictate what we do.

We need to remember God’s words in Isaiah 55:8-9 —

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

After reading verses like that, it seems a little silly not to line up with Him, doesn’t it? His ways are so much better than ours!

Ways in Which We Should Line Up with God

1) Line up with God’s Design in your life.

Therein you will find your best fit in ministry. You need to learn what your ministry profile is and believe God will use you as you serve within His design. Let’s not let our ignorance or insecurities dictate what we do.

Article: Tools for Developing Personalized Ministry Profiles
Resource: Finding Your Best Fit in Ministry

2) Line up with God’s Word in all you do.

Therein you will find your standard for all you do in ministry. The Bible is the grid for decisions we make, the goals we set, and the process to accomplish those goals. Let’s not let our personalities or schedules dictate what we do.

Article: If the Bible is God’s Word, Then What?
Resource for Teachers: Line Up Your Bible Lesson Preparation with the Word of God

3) Line up with God’s Heart as you relate with others.

Therein you will find your purpose and motivation for serving. God’s heart is moved by love and compassion. Let’s not let our own convenience and comfort levels dictate what we do.

Resource: Living Life with Purpose Adult Curriculum

4) Line up with God’s Character when faced with integrity issues.

Therein you will find your example and help in the ethical dilemmas of ministry. What we do should never contradict who He is. Let’s not let our own will and limited resources dictate what we do.

Article: Studying the Character of God Helps Us in Ministry
Resource: Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool
Resource: The Ministry Workers Devotional: A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Thank You Idea for Ministry Workers

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

Thank You in the Bulletin When I was the Christian Education Director of a church I looked for different ways to express thanks to our ministry workers. One way I did that was to add a small blurb to the bulletin. I ran each one for two weeks in a row in the event the worker missed seeing it the first week. I included a little information about the work they did, perhaps the sacrifice it entailed, so others had a better understanding of why they too should be grateful for these servants.

Thank You Idea Examples

I came across a file with some of these bulletin thank-you notes and thought I would share them with you. If you do something similar, you would need to personalize the remarks to your situation.

A Special Thank-You for our Nursery Workers: Each week, for the entire duration of our morning worship service, we have a nursery for babies from birth to two years of age. Once a month some of our people willingly miss an entire service to care for these little ones. A special thank-you goes to . . .

We’re Glad for Children’s Church Workers: Children have a hard time sitting still. And, they learn differently than adults. Consequently, during the sermon, we dismiss children from three years of age thru grade 2 for classes on their own age-level. Thank-you to those who faithfully teach these children every month on a given Sunday: . . .

A Special Thank-You for Our Sunday School Teachers: From 9:15 to 10:15 every Sunday morning we have a special teaching time with classes for all ages. This requires people to teach who are willing to invest time into preparation. We praise God for the following such people: . . .

We Need Those Wednesday Night Children & Youth Workers: Every Wednesday night while the adults meet for prayer, our children and youth have their own groups which are a little less structured and more fun-filled than a Sunday School class yet very instructional and prayerfully impacting. Thank-you to those who are part of a regular monthly or in some cases bi-monthly schedule with the children: . . . . And to all of you who fill in the gaps . . ., we couldn’t do it without you!

Don’t use bulletins anymore? What about a church newsletter? Maybe a bulletin board? If I was a Director of Christian Education today with all the online social networks, I am sure I would probably use that venue too.

For More Ideas to Encourage: Dealing with Discouragement & Disillusionment in Bible Teaching Resources

Fear in Serving?

Posted on November 10, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

Have you ever been afraid to serve? Or, perhaps others have expressed fears when trying to recruit them.

Lesson Moses Learned About Fear in Serving

Moses expressed many fears and insecurities when God tried to recruit him (Ex. 3). God responded to those excuses with the reassurance that He would be with Moses. Along with God’s presence came His power and help.

The six sessions in Called to Teach But Still Afraid Devotional for current or prospective Bible teachers, looks at each objection raised by Moses, countered by God’s reassurance. — Order for yourself or to reproduce and distribute to your teachers!

Over the course of time and seeing God work, Moses grew to value God’s presence. Later, at the threat of God not going with them due to the people’s rebellion and idolatry, Moses said to God, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” (Ex. 33:15).

The Steering the Church Toward Discipleship Leadership Guide also includes a section about God’s presence as it relates to church leaders.

5 Decision-Making Questions Ministry Leaders Should Ask

Posted on November 8, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 4 Comments ↓

Ministry leaders constantly face the need for making decisions, many of which could have long-ranging effects. It’s important we get it right.

Questions Ministry Leaders Should Ask in Decision-Making

Before making a final decision, ministry leaders should ask questions that would help them make sure the decision lines up with God and His ways.

Have we prayed about this? (Matt. 6:33; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17)
⇒ Stop and pray!
What course of action would most conform to the heart and ways of Jesus? (Rom. 8:29; Eph. 5:1-2; Col. 3:17)
⇒ Examine similar situations Jesus encountered.
Does it line up with crucial Biblical principles? (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12; 5:14)
⇒ Examine the whole of Scripture.
Is the course of action God-honoring and above reproach? (Rom. 14:16; 1 Cor. 10:31)
⇒ Seek to be honest.
Do we have peace from the Holy Spirit? (Rom. 14:17; Phil. 4:6-7)
⇒ If not, wait and keep praying.

More for Church Leaders: Decision-Making