Notable Voices and the Week in Review : October 12, 2019

How to Build a Worship Ministry When ... Pray for Greater Hope Community Church

Notable Voices and the Week in Review : October 12, 2019

From Around the Web:

How Extroverted Pastors Overcome Struggles — Sam Rainer

Partly because they are more outgoing, I believe extroverted pastors get the benefit of the doubt in leadership—more so than introverted pastors. Many have tackled the subject of how introverts can overcome weaknesses, but I haven’t noticed as much written about extroverted pastors. As an extrovert, I’ve noticed some painful shortcomings in my leadership. Perhaps I’m alone in some of these struggles. But maybe some of you can relate.

When Your Identity Is Wrapped Up in Your Ministry — Ed Stetzer

I’m a highly driven person; quite honestly, it’s that drivenness that has in part helped me be a successful church planter and revitalizer for many years. What’s unhealthy is not the ambition itself, but the ways I let longings for success overtake my heart and mind. Ambitious people become demoralized not when we dream big, set goals, or vision cast but when the realization of these things we fantasize about become essential to our happiness and well-being.

How to Have an Affair-Proof Marriage — Bob Russell

Recently, I learned of yet another Christian marriage that has been devastated by an affair. I pray the couple’s marriage will survive, but it is on very shaky ground right now. The story is common – the husband got too close to one of his employees, and their illicit relationship became physical. It was just a matter of time before the adulterous affair was discovered and then all hell broke loose. Hearts are broken, families are devastated, kids are insecure, testimonies are shattered.

Can These Bones Live? — Mike Glenn

One day, I was reading the paper when I noticed several church buildings for sale. I’m a sucker for sacred spaces, so seeing these ads was particularly painful for me. I had noticed this trend before. Church sanctuaries and cathedrals are being converted all over the world. They are taking these sacred structures and turning them into upscale restaurants, condominiums, and office buildings. I don’t blame the people for buying these buildings. They are beautiful structures. I just hate seeing churches sold.

3 Reasons Pastors Have Access to Their Church Members’ Giving Records — Art Rainer

Many pastors want to avoid knowing their church members’ giving recordings. There are a few reasons for their avoidance. They don’t want to be perceived as showing favoritism, desiring to spend more time on other ministerial duties, and receiving advice from their peers who recommend avoiding it. But some pastors have a different view. While they understand the reasons why pastors avoid giving records, they feel that reasons to access the records outweigh the reasons for avoiding them.

This Week at ThomRainer.com:

The Biggest Demographic Churches Are Missing

A dramatic shift is taking place in the American workplace. More people are working on weekends, many of them on Sundays, than ever before. But most churches haven’t moved their worship day at all. It’s still on Sunday mornings.READ MORE

Why I Don’t Require Office Hours for Ministry Staff

Requiring office time propagates a culture of “ministry must come to me” rather than “I go to people.” Every hour someone is sitting behind a desk is an hour not spent discipling or evangelizing. You create ministry. You don’t wait on ministry to happen. The Bible doesn’t call pastors to office hours, but rather to equip the saints.READ MORE