Personal management involves being attentive to how we are doing in each of the following areas:

• Our relationship with the living God. Are we abiding in Christ? Do we remain yoked, growing in intimacy with the Father? Are we still in love with Jesus? Are we responsive to the stirrings of the Holy Spirit?
• Our relationships with our spouse and children. Are we moving toward greater closeness and trust? Do we view our spouses and children as the first recipients of our Christlike love? Or do they always get the leftovers?

Topics:	Accountability, Character, Character & integrity, Christlikeness, Holy Spirit, Pastor's family, Renewal, Spiritual care, Spiritual formation, Spiritual growth
Filters:	Church staff, Counseling, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor, Pastoral care, Shepherd, Spiritual director
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Matthew 5:13-16, 1 Corinthians 4:1
Date Added:	July 12, 2007

So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and. as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing ...

Topics:	Christian life, Leadership, Obedience, Planning, Vision
Filters:	Deacon, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor, Pastoral care, Preaching
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Date Added:	July 30, 2007

The fastest, most painless way to resolve a budgetary crisis is to get more money. The other option is to cut expenses. Evaluate your congregation's ability to do both those things.

Share the need from the pulpit. While "begging for money" is considered by many the greatest faux pas any non-televised pastor can commit, an honest conversation with the flock is sometimes the best thing to do. When a ...

Topics:	Budget, Committees, Donations, Evaluation, Leadership, Management, Operations, Stewardship
Filters:	Business administrator, Church board, Finances, Financial officer, Fundraising ministry, Management, Stewardship, Treasurer
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	1 Corinthians 4:2
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

Comparisons are all too human.

As a high school student taking private violin lessons, I compared myself with my violin teacher's young prodigy. Each week, the teacher smiled with mild approval at my performance of an etude, and wrote out my assignment for the following week. Then, a 12-year-old boy entered the room for his lesson.

With admiration and a sense of torture, I lowered myself into an armchair ...

Topics:	Growth, Service, Spiritual gifts, Spiritual growth, Stewardship
Filters:	Discipleship, Pastor, Service, Shepherd, Spiritual director
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Matthew 25:14-29, Luke 16:10, 1 Corinthians 4:2
Date Added:	August 08, 2007