Today's Prayer

Lord, "here am I, send me." Isaiah experienced your presence and fell on his face in repentance. He was so in awe that he cried out for you to send Him.

Lord, as a child of yours, I beg for Your forgiveness and ask You to send me out into my world of influence to do Your will, to reach others for You, to accomplish that which You would have me do. I pray for your guidance always and your wisdom, and boldness through the Holy Spirit.

I pray for my new neighbors, that those who know you would grow closer to you and be Christ-like in the community and that those who do not know you will see Jesus in me and my life. I pray that they will see themselves in need of a Savior, and see the blessings You have bestowed upon us, and know that You are God.

In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

How Can I Get My Team To Work Together?

[By Rick Muchow]

Q: Our worship team squabbles alot. How can I get us to work together?

A: It doesn't happen by accident. It takes a continual and concerted effort—along with the blessing of the Lord—to have healthy teams where those involved are called to a higher purpose than themselves.

Finish this article

Five Things You Should Never Hear From A Staff Member

[From Perry Noble dot com by Perry]

I have the privilege to serve with an incredible staff … a fired up group of “git ‘r done” men and women who love Jesus.

However, in my ministry experience, working in other churches and conversations with many pastors and leaders, I believe there are five phrases that we should NEVER hear from someone on staff.

1. “That’s Not My Job.” When a staff member is asked to do something and they reply, “That’s not my job,” then you can be assured that he/she does not have a heart that is fully devoted to the ministry. The staff should walk around with fire in their eyes … and when asked to do something they just make it happen. Now, I have seen this abused and do not think ANYONE should allow themselves to be ran over; however, when asked to do something that might not serve the person BUT WILL SERVE THE CHURCH … the answer should always be yes.
2. “That Can’t Be Done.” I have noticed something about staff members that say something cannot be done … USUALLY the ones who say that are the ones who are going to be asked to do the particular project they are freaking out about … and it will require tons of work … SO, they just say it can’t be done. I have a rule … I don’t ever want to hear can’t be done. They may say, “Now we CAN do that … but it will require such and such and we don’t have that – and if we want it then it is going to cost this … so what do you want to do?” I LOVE HIS ATTITUDE! Trust me, when a staff member continually says that something cannot be done they either have a lazy work ethic OR a very small view of who God is … neither are beneficial for your team.
3. “All I Need Is More Staff And Money To Make This Happen.” When people begin to use resources as an excuse for a stagnant or failing ministry then you can be sure they are in trouble and have most likely became spoiled, thus forgetting the art of being innovative.
4. “Recognize Me!” Beware of the staff member who is always telling you how much work they did, how many hours they put in and how tired they are. HOLD ON … as a leader it is our job to make sure that staff members are not sacrificed on the alter of ministry. We should pay them well and make sure they have adequate time off. More often than not we have to FORCE people around here to take time off. BUT, when someone is always demanding attention for the work they’ve done then you can be sure that either pride or insecurity is coming out … and neither are good!
5. “My ministry needs BLANK to … and if we don’t get it then …” When a staff member begins to focus on his/her ministry more than the church as a whole … trust me, you have a HUGE problem. A good staff member does have passion and vision for their particular area of ministry; however, they have an even greater passion for the church as a whole and will gladly lay aside their plans if it means that it is best for the church. The church will either operate as a loosely organized group of sub ministries … OR ONE BODY with many parts … and if a staff member cannot be a part of the body then they most likely do not have a kingdom mindset.

What Is The Highest Office On Planet Earth?

[By Pastor Steven Furtick]

Yesterday I indicated that today I would be writing about how to become a catalyst of courage. I changed my mind. Instead, today I want to share a few thoughts on how blessed and humbled I feel to hold what I consider to be the highest office on planet earth. I guess it sounds pretty funny to address the pastoral ministry that way. But that’s how I feel. I honestly feel like the office of the pastor is the most powerful office in the world.

I feel that way every time I watch the endless debates on CNN and Fox News. No matter who’s in office come November, and what kind of change they do or do not affect, I get to affect eternal change every Sunday as I speak for God … and that’s a fact.

In the next few days (for real this time) I’ll explain why I take my calling to be a pastor so seriously in a day and age when religious professionals often aren’t taken very seriously at all. I certainly don’t believe for a minute that being a pastor makes me better or more special to God than anyone else.

But I’ll tell you this: from my vantage point, it’s the greatest responsibility that could ever apprehend and consume a human being.

[http://www.stevenfurtick.com/]

Pastor Joel Osteen's Typical Schedule

(In a recent interview, Pastor Joel Osteen described his typical schedule as:)

Mondays and Tuesdays I try to take off.

Wednesdays I read and study and pray. I have a stack of notes for potential sermons. I get a theme, and once I feel good about a simple thought, I read and find stories on that.

I get up real early and write my sermon on Thursdays.

Fridays I finish writing it and take three hours to go over it. I really get it down in me.

Saturday I study it for several hours and finish getting it down in me. I have a real good memory. I rest Saturday afternoon before the Saturday night service, and I also preach two Sunday morning services.

Sunday afternoon I edit the sermon for the television broadcast. I’m just used to doing that. That’s how I started.

(What do you think? Does Joel Osteen's schedule place his priorities in line with Scripture? How much visitation does he do? How is pastoral care provided? Is it Biblical for a pastor to spend most of his time in the Word? What is the NT role of deacons? What is the NT role for all members of the Body of Christ? What church cultures prevent church growth?)

(Click on "comments" below and leave your comment.)

Today's Humor

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