In my line of work as a pastor and consultant I meet tons of pastors. All are wonderful people, some just don’t quite get what pastoring is all about though. Here are some of the characteristics of many pastors that make me crazy:
- Focusing on “church growth” rather than mission.
- Thinking small groups are about “getting people connected” rather than discipleship.
- Trying to lead without being relational.
- Identifying things that need to change, but not changing them.
- Tolerating obvious sin in their congregation. Gossip, division, greed, lack-of-faith, and idolatry top the list of tolerated sins.
- Not having accountability.
- Not being in a small group.
- Having a “vision Sunday” once per year. People need vision all the time!!! Over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over…and over!!
- Making plans, without executing them.
- Not returning phone calls or emails.
- Blaming staff for problems without looking to themselves first for fault.
- Openly offering feedback without being open to feedback.
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Thursday, January 26, 2012
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Books I have really enjoyed!!!!
Gary Thomas: The Sacred Search: What If It's Not about Who You Marry, But Why?
This is the best book I have read about marriage this year. I want to read this book with my future wife when I meet her! I have enjoyed learning from Gary Thomas. I love the chapter on "sole mate" vs "soul mate". Thomas encourages readers to seek a life partner who will spur you into your life calling rather than build a marriage on superficial categories like physical appearance.Jocelyn Glei: Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind (The 99U Book Series) by Glei, Jocelyn K., 99U (2013) Paperback
Love reading this book on getting things done.Og Mandino: Og Mandino (The Greatest Salesman in the World / The Greatest Secret in the World / The Greatest Miracle in the World)
January 2016 Reading this book.Jentezen Franklin: Right People Right Place Right Plan
A wrong place is any place where you know your Christian walk is compromised.Mark Atteberry: The Samson Syndrome: What You Can Learn from the Baddest Boy in the Bible
Kevin DeYoung: Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will
Decision Making and the Will of God. Reading this on November 9th 2015Lanny Ebenstein: Milton Friedman: A Biography
Reading about this man this month November 2015Beverly Daniel Tatum: Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria: And Other Conversations About Race
Currently Reading this book this month of November 2015Brad Lomenick: H3 Leadership: Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Always Hustle.
Stephen R. Covey: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
John C. Maxwell: Good Leaders Ask Great Questions: Your Foundation for Successful Leadership
Collins: Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't
Andy Stanley: Deep and Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend
A good thesis on an effective evangelistic church that reaches young adults in a pluralistic culture.Paul David Tripp: Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry
One of the Best Books I have Read on "the Heart of a Pastor". A must read for every Pastor.Tim Irwin: Derailed: Five Lessons Learned from Catastrophic Failures of Leadership (NelsonFree) 1st edition by Irwin, Tim published by Thomas Nelson [ Hardcover ]
Best Book on Leadership...Steven Schussler: It's a Jungle in There: Inspiring Lessons, Hard-Won Insights, and Other Acts of Entrepreneurial Dari [Paperback]
I loved this simple but insightful book on determination about having a dream and sticking to it.Paul David Tripp: Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change (Resources for Changing Lives)
I really was challenged by this book in November of 2012.John C. Maxwell: The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential
Jim Collins: How The Mighty Fall: And Why Some Companies Never Give In
Currently working through this book in June 2012. Really enjoying the emphasis on facing reality as an organization.Ron Susek: Firestorm: Preventing and Overcoming Church Conflicts
Very sobering ficitional book about conflict management in a church. Conflict is to be expected in ministry, any Pastor dealing with conflict should read this book.Gary Chapman: The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate
Dave Kraft: Leaders Who Last
One of the best books I have read on leadership and people management in terms of how the leaders spends his time. I love his emphasis on a personal mission statementShannon O'dell: Transforming Church in Rural America
God has used the passion and thinking of this man to transform a rural church. This book is worth reading. I am considering buying a copy for all our key leaders at Frist Baptist Church Elma.Bill George: Seven Lessons for Leading in Crisis (J-B Warren Bennis Series)
One of the best books I have read in a long time. It was refreshing and impressive. It was simple yet very appealing.Dr. Floyd Ronnie: Ten Things Every Minister Needs to Know
I am enjoying this book. I hope I finish it by the end of the year.Tony Zinni: Leading the Charge: Leadership Lessons from the Battlefield to the Boardroom
I am enjoying this book and "tweeting" quotes from it on my twitter account. Redneckafrican.
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