Monday, June 15, 2009

Transparency

Now that's a word that will scare many a pastor!!

It's difficult to be transparent in our world. There is so much pressure to be the perfect pastor. The perfect christian. Always making perfect decisions. Never doing anything wrong. Yeah, well, I'm thinking there was only one person who could reach those expectations and he was crucified on a cross a very long time ago!!

So as for the rest of us, transparency can help us in our ministry. As we learn to be transparent, we teach others around us to do the same. You see we are all striving for perfection. We all have issues we need to take care of, and when we lose the facade we put on to impress every one, this is when we truly begin to address our issues. You see being transparent means admitting your failures and ultimately walking in humility. Which lucky for us, eliminates pride (which causes all kinds of other problems!!).

So trying looking at transparency with the mindset of gaining humility and maybe it will help you be more willing to be transparent with those around you. Good luck!!

Monday, June 8, 2009

Healthy Church

The following are my notes from Doug Clay, General Treasurer, General Council of the Assemblies of God, he was the speaker at a retreat I recently attended.

Integrity is the basis for all of our work.

Integrity builds a reputation not just an image.

Integral motives-allowing your motives to be pure.


There are 4 things that make a healthy church.

  1. Healthy pastor=healthy church. A pastor is healthy when they are growing in the Lord while in the ministry. A pastor is also healthy if he's willing to think outside the box especially when what he's doing inside the box isn't working.
  2. Healthy relationships=healthy church. Healthy relationships between the the pastor and the leadership of the church.
  3. Community influence=healthy church. If your church is influencing your community you have a healthy church.
  4. Ministry relevance=healthy church. Are the ministries in your church relevant to the vision God has given you? Are the ministries in your church effective? Vision rules the house, not programs. Programs are designed to compliment the vision God gave you!