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Bible Study Methods

March 5, 2006 in Books, Influence with 18 Comments

I am sorry that it has been a few weeks since I last posted anything. It has been a little crazy and I am still figuring out how to accomplish everything and write a little bit each day.

Over the past couple of weeks in our Ministry Leadership Class we have been discussing how to study the Bible. As leaders in ministry we must learn how to study the Bible, there are Bible studies to lead, classes to teach and not to mention proper feeding of our own spiritual walk. We have been concentrating on learning to observe scripture and looking at how to do that without study materials. (ie) (commentaries, dictionaries and lexicons) We will get to these valuable resources, just not yet in the process.

I would love to know what you are doing for Bible study? When is the best time for you to study the Bible? What book in the Bible are you studying?

Study Resources

February 20, 2006 in Books, Influence with 14 Comments

Someone has asked what type of study resources I use when I am preparing a message or studying for a seminar. I utilize Quickverse Professional as one of my key resources. It has several Bible translations, several conservative commentaries, dictionaries, maps, lexicons, and many other tools to help me in my preparation. The days of needing to purchase sets of commentaries and multi-volume resources are gone. It isn’t cost efficient. You are able to buy a CD resource much cheaper and receive twice the amount of material. I also have a CD version of Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology textbook, this is a really good resource in my opinion. He helps greatly with understanding the doctrines of the faith.

I also use several websites to help in my studying. I go to Crosswalk.com, desiringgod.org, biblegateway.org, bible.org, dictionary.com, and other trusted pastor’s recommendations. The wealth of reputable material on the web is incredible. I always try to back something up a couple of times if I get info from the web, I want to make sure it is correct.

This Is It

February 16, 2006 in Influence, Mission with 1 Comment

Congratulations Tina Hutchinson. Way to go. After our last session on S.H.A.P.E. she took the material and taught it in the women’s prison as part of her teaching time each week. Tina told me that the women began to have an awakening that they can have a ministry inside the walls of prison. They did not realize that they could be used by God right there inside the walls. Great testimony of taking leadership to the next step. George, keep up the good work on your mentoring. See you folks Sunday morning.

Criticism

February 15, 2006 in Influence with 12 Comments

How do you handle criticisms when you are a pastor or leader within a ministry? This is a good question that is really very personal. Everyone has different ways to handle criticism. The struggle is trying not to let it become personal and affecting the way you minister to the body of Christ.
I really believe we must go back to the Bible to adequately handle conflict. Matthew 18 provides the clearest model for how we should respond to someone who has levied criticism. These are the steps that we must take to address an issue. Before we get to the steps, I would recommend that we examine the critique to see if there is any truth to the matter. We should try and see this from the perspective of the person who has levied the criticism. This hopefully will create a vital understanding of what the person is thinking and feeling before meeting with them. The next obvious step is to meet with the person to understand the criticism and hopefully come to a mutual understanding.
The most difficult part of this process is not letting things become personal. Both parties should always attempt to keep things very biblical. The communication part of the meeting is also essential. My wife often tells me, “Its not what you said, but how you said it.” Always exhibit the Fruit of the Spirit during the conversation. Always try to let it go after the discussion, holding on only hurts you.
This is just a few thoughts on criticism in the ministry.

Ministry Stress

February 13, 2006 in Influence with 11 Comments

How do you handle stress in the ministry? Great question.

I have chosen to utilize a small group of people that I will communicate with as it relates to dealing with the stress of ministry. You have to know for certain there will be stress in the ministry. Moses dealt with stress, Elijah dealt with stress, David dealt with stress and even Jesus dealt with stress from ministry. I have a group of guys (2, no more than 3) that I will talk with if things get too difficult to process alone. I try not to talk to all of them about any one issue. They are probably more specialized in the area I would talk with them about. (remember the phone a friend from “Millionaire”) I have someone I would call about relational issues, someone about work issues, and someone about personal stuff.

I also try and spend time with my journal and the Word of God. I cannot tell you how many times that God has spoken to me about an area I am stressed about through His Word and by writing out what was going on at the particular moment. Journaling has been a real source for retaining what God has done and is doing in my walk and ministry with Him.

I have chosen not to talk with my wife about stress issues in the ministry when it deals with personalities in the church. I do not want her being tinted by anything I might be dealing with as it relates to someone else. I may tell her about issues, but not people.

I have also began working out on a more regular basis to help with stress and management of my health. These are a couple of the ways I seek to deal with stress in the ministry. There are other ways, but these are my choices.

S.H.A.P.E.

February 12, 2006 in Influence with 6 Comments

This morning in our Ministry Leadership Class we discussed our S.H.A.P.E. and the relationship to leading in ministry.
S-spiritual gifts
H- heart (passion for ministry)
A – abilities God has given us
P- personality God has given us
E- experiences we have been through

Weigh in!

A Typical Work Week

February 10, 2006 in Influence, LifePoint Church with 4 Comments

Someone in our Ministry Leadership Class asked “What does a typical work week look like for a pastor?” I think we all understand that in any given church their are different roles that we all have according to the ministry we lead. The Sr. Pastor has a different schedule than the Student Pastor and the Worship Pastor has a different schedule than the Childrens Pastor.
With that in mind, I will give a very general work week schedule for me as the Assoc. Pastor. My day normally begins around 5 am. A shower, breakfast, and time with the Lord are the first things of the day. I help get the kids and Amy off to school by 6:45 a and then I leave for the office.

Sunday Morning
7:30 a – Arrive at Church
9:00 a – 1st. service
10:30 a – 2nd. service
12:30 p – Go home after any meetings
afternoons – sometimes meetings
4 p – Small Group
6:3 p – Home

Monday
7-7:3 a – Arrive at Office, Begin Study and digging out from Sunday
9 a – Debriefing with staff about Sunday
10 a – headed to Hospitals or more study and general work stuff
11:3 a – Lunch meetings
1:30 p – meet with individual staff people
2:30 p – Continue Study for Wed. teaching
5- 5:30 p – Head home
If there are no visits or meetings rest of the evening is for family and study for Wed. teaching

Tuesday
5:45 a – Men’s Fraternity @ church (mens bible study)
8 a – 1:30 p – Staff stuff (individ. staff meetings, team staff meeting, Lunch together)
1:3 p – Studying and Prep for Wed. teaching
3 p – Creative team meeting for teaching series (present and coming)
5 p – 5:3 p – Wrapping Up loose ends and leaving for home
If there are no visits or meetings rest of evening is for family and cont. study for Wed. teaching

Wed.
7-7:3 a – Arrive at office and wrap up everything for Wed. teaching
9:30 a – General planning, meetings (missions, sr. adults, counseling, ect.)
11:30 a – head to lunch meetings
1:3 p – more planning and indiv. staff meetings
4 p – final reading of that nights teaching
5:3 p – dinner w/family @church
6:3 p – Worship and Teaching
8:3 p – go home – if there are no meetings (you wonder if it all connected)

Thurs.
7 – 7:30 a- Arrive at office and begin prep for next weeks teaching
9: 30 a – general work, meetings, planning
11:30 a – Lunch meetings
1:00 p – general office work
5:00 p head home for family night

Fri. (day off)
9 a – 11:00 a Work around office a few hours in morning
Work at home on school stuff

Sat. (day off)
Family time unless church event

What I am unable to put into this work week are the frequent things that do not have a particular time slot: Sr. Adult meetings/trips, unexpected emergencies of church members, physical exercise, mission trips, email and phone correspondence, follow up with baptism canidates, letter writing, work on general promo stuff for church, and things the Lord decides to throw into mix to keep us close to Him.The weeks vary according to different events.

I cannot imagine doing anything else. It is truly amazing how He allows me the opportunity to be involved in what He is up to in the World.

3 Lessons I Have Learned

February 9, 2006 in Influence, LifePoint Church with 2 Comments

[updated 1-21-2012]

There are a few key lessons that I have learned in over 20 years of ministry that I believe will help anyone who is dealing with a call to ministry. I also believe they are great lessons for anyone who is presently serving in ministry in a leadership capacity.

1. Develop your relationship with God daily.
This is an imperative. Everything about ministry flows out of this relationship. No relationship, no effective ministry. Notice you can continue to function in ministry, but you will be frustrated and so will the people who you are trying to minister to in the church. I recommend you start your day with the Lord, so you can get His direction for your life that day. He will give you focus, encouragement, direction, and will help you order your day.

2. Develop your relationship with your spouse daily.
I believe that your spouse must be called to ministry just as you are called. That does not mean they have to be called to the same type of ministry, but that they have a heart and love for the church and see themselves in a supporting role. You as the fulltime called person may be leading in a ministry role, but their supporting role is equally important. Because without their support and help there will be a massive strain in your marriage and in your home. Everyday you need to be growing in your relationship with your spouse in areas of communication, trust, conflict resolution, your visions for your family and many other areas.

3. Develop as a leader daily.
Developing as a leader is vitally important. You have been called to lead people. It doesn’t matter what the specific expression of ministry is, (youth, administration, sr. adults, ect.) ministry is about people. Read books, talk to people you view as good leaders, listen to CDs about leadership, and whatever else it takes to develop. Ask people to honestly evaluate your leadership and then be prepared to work on the areas they view as being deficient. Leaders are learners. We must always seek to learn and grow in the area of leadership. In my opinion, the church needs more effective leaders today than ever before.

These lessons are not revolutionary ideas. They are just what I view as some of the top lessons I have learned over the years of ministry.
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