Reggie Joiner's Blog, page 41

Change Before You Have To

Change—it’s as common as the cold, as unpredictable as the weather and as painful as a toothache. And if we’re honest, we don’t typically enjoy it.

After a 30-second search on the word change, the quick discovery is that there isn’t a shortage of clever, witty and downright quippy quotes associated with it. Quotes like: “Nothing changes if nothing changes.” Or, “Every new day is a chance to change your life.” Or, “Nothing endures but change.” Now don’t get me wrong, all of these definitely ha...

Building A Network For Building Each Other

by Amy Fenton

A few years ago my friend, Kenny Conley, came to Nashville for a visit. He was bringing a volunteer conference to town and he wanted to network with local kids’ pastors to cast vision. The day we met over lunch, he told us about his network in Austin and the connections he had with other local leaders.

Here in Nashville we were connected. Many of us from various churches and denominations are friends. We even have lunches on occasion that are hosted by various groups. But, we ha...

Rebooting Your Spiritual Growth

Imagine it’s Sunday night. You’ve poured your heart and soul into every detail of the weekend. From the worship to the teaching and all of the million little pieces that make up weekend services at your church. You’ve encouraged the single mom who shared her current struggles. You’ve prayed with the family who just lost a loved one. You’ve celebrated with a student who just graduated. By all outward appearances, the weekend was a success.

So, why do you feel empty?

And far from God?

And exhau...

Reading Suggestions to Close Out the Summer

I absolutely believe that leaders are learners and while there are tons of ways to learn, reading books is a must for everyone who wants to grow. I listen to a ton of podcasts and I enjoy learning through other mediums as well, but it’s hard to replace the excellent content you can get from books.

Whether you opt for the hard copy, an ebook, or the audio version, these last few weeks of summer can be a great time to dig in and read more to help you grow. Below, I’ve suggested a few books you...

My Orange Conference 2019 Experience

The following story was submitted by an attendee at this year’s Orange Conference 2019. 

With airfare, hotel, rental car, and conference fees, it cost our church about $2000 to send my wife and me to Orange Conference. I personally thought the cost was too high, but it got me out of another pastor’s conference later in the year and I thought it couldn’t hurt.

First off, OC19 was like a mini-sabbatical for us, and it was unlike any “church” conference we have ever been to. The training was top...

Using Your Summer To Gear Up For The Fall

Where did this year go? It seems like just yesterday we were talking about gearing up for the new year, then we were getting a jump on Easter, now it’s come and gone and we’re in the thick of summer. With camps, VBS and mission trips all planned, now is the time to use the rest of your summer to plan for the rest of the year. If you’ve read my book “Beat The Clock” or any of my other articles on time management here on the Orange Leader’s Blog, you’ve heard me say there are just four steps to...

You Will Love to Laugh and Learn with Your Team

Don’t you just love quality time with your friends filled with laughter and deep insights? With 15 stops all across the country, Orange Tour is an opportunity you’ll kick yourself if you miss. This one-day event will end with you and your team feeling inspired and equipped to make disciples of the next generation!

At Orange Tour Your Team Will Laugh

It’s so life-giving to relax for a minute and simply laugh with your team. Ministry can be full of deep and difficult conversations and during yo...

3 Lies Ministry Leaders Tell Themselves

As a sermon illustration, I once preached from a ladder. But I didn’t just sit on one of the lower rungs. No, I preached for half an hour from the top step of a 16-foot ladder. The one that reads “Caution: This is not a step!” I thought it was a brilliant way to engage the audience. I didn’t realize it would serve as nothing more than the worst possible distraction.

No one heard a word I said because they were afraid I was going to fall. I wasn’t worried or nervous. I have really good balance...

Remembering Our Freedom

Happy Independence Day! We hope your July 4 is filled with delicious grilled goodness, frosty lemonade, glittery fireworks, and lots of fun with friends and family.

As we celebrate the founding of our country, let’s remember our freedom both in democracy and in Christ. As He told us in Luke 4:18-19,

The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release t...

How Every Married Person Can Take The Summer Off

For as many years as I can remember, my daughter, who is now 11, has always been appalled that I have to work in the summer. She says, “Oh Daddy, it’s just not fair.” I say to her: “Yeah, what’s that all about? Down with the establishment that’s trying to keep me down.” She has no idea what I’m talking about, neither do I, but she is pleased I agree.

I wish I could take the summer off, but I can’t. And I bet you can’t either. While we can’t take the summer off we can take a vacation from our...