I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:11

In a yard two blocks from my house the trees are dying. For some time my wife and I, on our neighborhood walks, have noticed something wrong—fewer leaves on branches, peeling bark, a greenish white discoloration here and there. Two years ago it began with a large maple. Then the sickness spread ...

Topics:	Attitudes, Enthusiasm, Judging others, Leadership, Rebuke, Relationships, Spiritual leadership
Filters:	Christian education, Discipleship, Management, Pastor, Service, Small group leader, Spiritual director, Volunteer
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	John 15:11, 2 Corinthians 6:10, 2 Corinthians 7:10, Galatians 5:22-23
Date Added:	July 01, 2007

When the Spirit of Christ enters us, his character begins to flow in us, and we bear fruit. Here are 5 qualities of Christ-like followers that reflect the image of God. Put a star beside the one you feel is most present in your life.

1. Joy. Christian writer and professor Eugene Peterson observed in A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: "There are Christians who never crack a smile and who can't ...

Topics:	Adult education, Congregational care, Growth, Health, Peace, Shepherding, Soul, Spiritual care
Filters:	Christian education, Counseling, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor, Pastoral care, Shepherd, Spiritual director
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:22-26
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

While dismissing someone is never easy, sometimes it's inevitable. Here are considerations to help decide whether it is required:

1. Does the person really need to be replaced? A sharper focus can be gained by asking:

• Is this person's ineffectiveness, poor leadership, or example blocking the progress of the ministry?

• How much harm is being done? This question especially applies in the case ...

Topics:	Development, Leadership, Management, Recruiting, Succession, Teams, Teamwork
Filters:	Church board, Church staff, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor, Pastoral care
Purpose:	Ministry
References:	Romans 12:9-10, Galatians 5:22-26
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

While dismissing someone is never easy, sometimes it's inevitable. Here are considerations to help decide whether it is required:

1. Does the person really need to be replaced? A sharper focus can be gained by asking:

• Is this person's ineffectiveness, poor leadership, or example blocking the progress of the ministry?
• How much harm is being done? This question especially applies in the case of volunteers. If they are causing little damage, the decision to remove them may evoke more trouble than it is worth.

Topics:	Church staff, Leadership, Recruiting, Service, Spiritual gifts, Volunteer care, Volunteer recruitment, Volunteers
Filters:	Church staff, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor, Pastoral care, Service, Volunteer coordinator
Purpose:	Ministry
References:	Romans 12:9-10, Galatians 5:22-26
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

When the Spirit of Christ enters us, his character begins to flow in us, and we bear fruit. Here are 5 qualities of Christ-like followers that reflect the image of God:

1. Joy. Christian writer and professor Eugene Peterson observed in A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: "There are Christians who never crack a smile and who can't abide a joke. But I don't meet very many of them. The stereotype ...

Topics:	Prayer, Pursuit of God, Renewal, Spiritual care, Spiritual disciplines, Spiritual formation, Spiritual growth
Filters:	Discipleship, Elder, Pastor, Pastoral care, Prayer, Shepherd, Spiritual director
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:22-26
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

Values, like the wind, are invisible. But underlying every decision a church makes is a value, which affects the climate of a congregation. Three pastors—Gary Fenton, pastor of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama; Randy Frazee, pastor of Pantego Bible Church in Arlington, Texas; and Gary Simpson, pastor of Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brooklyn, New York—discuss ...

Topics:	Core values, Direction, Evaluation, Goals, Master plan, Objectives, Planning, Vision
Filters:	Church board, Deacon, Discipleship, Elder, Outreach, Pastor
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Galatians 5:22-26, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

In this interview, Eugene Peterson, long-time pastor and professor of spirituality at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia, and translator of The Message, gives help in how to shepherd a soul.

If I were to walk into a church, what would tip me off that it was concerned about "meeting needs" or about "shepherding souls"?

Eugene Peterson: Some of this you don't notice right away, but I would ...

Topics:	Confrontation, Difficult people, Healing, Leadership, Mentoring, Pastoral care, Shepherding, Spiritual care
Filters:	Counseling, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor, Pastoral care, Shepherd, Small groups, Spiritual director
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Acts 2:38-39, Galatians 5:16-26
Date Added:	July 31, 2007