Vetrean Pastor, Life time Learner, Problem Solver, Servant-Leader and Motivational Speaker.

How to use Bible Commentaries | HeadHeartHand Blog

The following is a summary of the lecture I’m giving today on how to use Bible Commentaries.

1. Use them
“It seems odd, that certain men who talk so much of what the Holy Spirit reveals to themselves, should think so little of what he has revealed to others. My chat this afternoon is not for these great originals, but for you who are content to learn of holy men, taught of God, and mighty in the Scriptures. It has been the fashion of late years to speak against the use of commentaries…A respectable acquaintance with the opinions of the giants of the past, might have saved many an erratic thinker from wild interpretations and outrageous inferences” (C H Spurgeon).

2. Use them for appropriate tasks
Commentaries vary in size, detail, level, and theological basis; they also have different roles in the exegetical process. The following classification is partly chronological – the first books are used earlier in the process than the latter books. (The books in brackets are OT focused and are merely exemplary not exhaustive).

• Critical: Emphasis on technical matters like the composition of the text rather than its meaning (e.g.  International Critical Commentary, some Word commentaries).
• Expository (Original Language): Close and detailed exposition of the text, usually requiring some knowledge of the original languages (e.g. some Word commentaries, New International Commentary on the OT, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Mentor series by Christian Focus).
• Expository (English): Stay close to the text but do not usually deal with critical issues and do not require original language knowledge (Focus on the Bible series by Christian Focus, Evangelical Press Study Commentaries).
• Summary: Do not explain everything but focus on main points and present conclusions rather than extensive arguments. Excellent summaries of a verse or passage’s teaching. Big is not always better. (e.g. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Bible Speaks Today).
• Classical:  Reputable commentaries from the past that usually do not deal with technical issues, but rather the theological meaning of the text (Banner of Truth Geneva series, John Gill, John Calvin).
• Applicatory: Suitable for lay-people, usually with more of an applicatory focus (NIV Application Commentary).
• Homiletical: Tend to be the result of sermon series or at least more sermonic in style (e.g. Welwyn, Dale Ralph Davis).
• Devotional: Extensive comments on spiritually rich texts. Focus on edification rather than critical or controversial issues (e.g. Matthew Henry).

3. Use recommended commentaries
Ask pastors and professors for their recommendations on various books. Weigh the recommendations. Just because a Word series’ commentary on one book is good does not guarantee that they are all good.

Spurgeon: “The best commentators are those who have written upon only one book. Few men can comment eminently well upon the whole Bible.”

There are many OT commentary guide books (e.g. Tremper Longman III, Douglas Stuart, Charles Spurgeon, etc). Here are some online recommendations:

• Joel Beeke’s best OT Commentaries
• Joel Beeke’s best NT Commentaries
• Best Commentaries
• Best Commentaries: Top 2 for each b

via headhearthand.org

THANK YOU NORTH MASON BIBLE CHURCH!!!!

 

The hardest person to Lead........ME!!!!

One of the hardest lessons I have learned is that self management is not easy. It is easier, but senseless to tell people about places you have never been.  It is wiser to lead people where you have been.  if I can lead myself well.  I will lead men well. People can then follow me and learn from me. My prayer is that God will use me to lead me well. The Leadership challenge for this black preacher is to allow God to manage my deepest fears and my deepest hurts for the next fourty five years of my life.

    In his fantastic work on Leadership. Tim Irvin ( the author of "Derailed"..the best book I have read on leadership this year after the Bible)  reflects deeply on self management: "Effective self mangementss is heavily depentdent upon good self -and other awarness. A lack of self and other awareness is a common denominator among those who derail. The ability to manage our relationships is heavily dependent upon our perspectiveness of what is going on within us and with others. ....Self aware individuals pay attention to their emotions  without being ruled by them. ..They understand that how to build their stengths and observe their limits."

Almost 10 years of Youth Ministrty 10 Tips for dealing with Parents in youth ministry and an excerpt from '3 Thing to Never Say to your Volunteers" from Youth Ministry Guru Doug Franklin Online

1. Remember that parents are a gift from God to their children. Affirm them during your youth talks.
2. Remember that there are no perfect parents. Never bash the parents in front of the kids. Pray for the parents.
3. The Mom is always right. Listen to her. Dont get emotionally attached to the "hot" single mom.  Never tell a student that her mom is hot!!! She may be hot but so is Hell. Keep your thoughts to yourself.
4. Respect the decisions of the Dad especially if they Homeschool their families. Home school dads are the boss. Respect dads. When shaking the hands of the couple always shake the hands of the dad first if you are a guy. If you a girl shake the hands of the mother first.
5. Learn from the worst parents on how not to treat "them" or their child. An honest soft sincere apology to a parents, 80% of the time turns away their wrath. Learn to say" I am sorry .....". 
6. Listen to what parents are not saying. Listen carefully to what kids say about church policies and politics.....you will hear what their parents really think of you.
7. Never disrespect a parent in front of their kids.
8. Honor your own parents.
9. Remember there are no perfect parents. 
10. Pray reguarly for God to parents of pre-teens. Always listen to them. Most of the time..mom is just afraid. Listen to her fears.

Doug FankIn gives some good insight:

3. Never say to your volunteers: Parents don’t get youth ministry or the pastor doesn’t get youth ministry

When you disrespect an authority volunteers get nervous. They know that you’re not in charge and that you don’t have the experience most parents and pastors have. Your disrespect of these people will make you look immature and stupid. I know at times you are frustrated with them but you need to learn submission. Taking your frustration out in your front of your volunteers will do more to hurt your leadership than almost anything else. Speak highly of your parents and pastors. Give them respect and the other volunteers will respect you

via www.dougfranklinonline.com

Taking Care of the People who serve with you ....HerbertCooper.com | Thoughts from a husband, father, pastor and friend.

Take Care Of Your Team pt. 2

October 19, 2011 in General

6. Be a blessing to your team’s kids. On their birthdays, buy them a card or a gift, but whatever you do, remember and honor their kids’ birthdays.

7. Provide a card or even a gift when your team or your team’s spouse has a birthday or wedding anniversary.

8. Provide extra benefits or perks for people who have been on your team a long time. The 5 year mark, 10 year mark,15 and 20 year marks are great times to reward people for their longevity. Reward faithfulness and fruitfulness.

9. When possible, bless your team with some extra time off during the Christmas holiday season. A couple extra days off can make a huge difference in your team’s energy level, and it let’s them know that you value and care about them and their families.

10. Celebrate victories and have a blast with your team. Have staff parties. Eat together. Play fantasy football together. Go on a fun retreat together. Go to a conference together. Whatever you do, laugh a lot and have fun with your team.

Take Care Of Your Team

October 18, 2011 in General

1. Be sure to truly love the team of people you lead.

2. Be there for your team during difficult times.

3. Make sure your team is staying healthy in all areas of their life. Periodically, ask them how they are doing.

4. Make sure your team takes their vacation time to recharge their batteries.

5. Pay your team as well as you can, and do your best to provide health insurance and other benefits to take care of your team.

More tomorrow!

via herbertcooper.com

Prayers needed for the next three months:Traveling & Speaking Engagements outside of North Mason Bible Church for 2011 for Pastor James Owolabi

Fall 2011 is starting to get busy around my church and I am excited that we are launching three bible studies this week.
 In additon to these bible studies i have been invited to serve the following Churches and Christian schools:

• September 27^th 2011 –October 1^st 2011: Speaking at Port Oldsworth Alaska at Arctic Barnabas Pastor and Missionary retreat 2011.
• October 7^th 2011: Damascus Christian School. Damascus Oregon.

• October 23^rd 2011: Speaking at Journey Church in Tacoma, Washington.
• October 28^th 2011: Speaking at Middle School Chapel at Life Christian Academy Tacoma, WA.
  
• November 13th 2011. Grace Community Church Grapeview, WA.
• November 16th and 17th Catalyst Conference in Chicago.
• November 18^th –November 24th 2011: I will be serving and visiting my family.
• November 20th 2011: Speaking at the Church at Avon in Avon Indiana.
• November 27th 2011: Speaking at  Endeavor Church Portland.
• December 4th 2011: Speaking at Independent Baptist Church of Ellensburg. WA.
  
• December 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th 2011: I will be preaching at FBC ELMA.
• Grace and Peace

Pastor James Owolabi

 

When you stop learning you should stop leading......Here are 40 great leadership book apart from the Bible thanks to Brad Lomenick for this list

40 Great Leadership Books to Read

August 31st, 2011 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

I love leadership. And I read a lot. So I wanted to provide you with a list of some of the books I recommend.

These are not the only leadership books you should read. There are hundreds of others that are great. But these are just simply 40 of my favorites.

So here you go. And please share this list with your friends, team, and other leaders who might benefit.

40 leadership books to read:

1. Good to Great- Jim Collins

2. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership- John Maxwell

3. Courageous Leadership- Bill Hybels

4. The Next Generation Leader- Andy Stanley

5. Now, Discover Your Strengths- Marcus Buckingham

6. Love is the Killer App- Tim Sanders

7. The Tipping Point- Malcolm Gladwell

8. Tribes- Seth Godin

9. It: How Churches and Leaders can Get it and Keep it- Craig Groeschel

10. Integrity- Henry Cloud

11.

via bradlomenick.com