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These are a couple of scenarios in addition to those that are in the book, Finish the Race: Know the Course by Mark Schaufler
Scenario 1 When you get the opportunity to preach to the whole congregation the senior pastor sits in the front row and writes down how many times you say certain phrases or exhibit certain mannerisms. At your next meeting he tells you how many times you did each offence without commenting on the material preached or impact on the congregation. · Clean it out- Learn from your time there (Hebrews 12:7-12). You will be a better preacher because of it if you do. “Endure
hardships as discipline; God is treating you as sons.
For what son is not disciplined by his father?
If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you
are illegitimate children and not true sons.
Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we
respected them for it. How much more
should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but
God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for
those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews
12:7-12 · Keep it clean-Continue to pray and learn. It won't stop suddenly. · Getting some help-If you are struggling with it spend some extended time in prayer and as needed talk to others without being a rumor mill or poisoning their hearts towards him. Scenario 2 Your spouse is telling you in "no uncertain terms," that you are too involved in the ministry at the church and not involved enough in the family. · Clean it out- Listen. Don't say anything. They are probably right (at least to a certain degree). Ask questions so you can have a definition of the signs that this is true (things you have missed or left undone). Don't defend yourself and be humble in it all. There may be a lot of issues not just the time issue (money, parenting issues, in-laws, church members, etc.). · Keep it clean-Make the corrections that are necessary in order to begin the changes. Document your time use so you can see where it is going and what you can do about it. It may be the senior pastor who is running your schedule and he needs to see what is going on. If it is another issue deal with that. · Getting some help-There are a lot of time management publications and web sites. Learn from them. If there were other issues that your spouse brought up then deal with them with the necessary help from others. As you announce the next upcoming event your students release a volley of comments on how poorly planned the last one was and their pessimism towards this ones viability.
·
Clean it out- Don't
defend yourself. Listen and ask for
their input on a better way to do it. Get
some volunteers from this group to help with the process next time.
·
Keep it clean- Pray for
them, if you find yourself despising them. Go
to them or others in advance next time to refine how you do things.
Don't wear your heart on your sleeve (Proverbs “Above
all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
Proverbs 4:23 ·
Getting some help- If
this is an area of continual failure then find someone who is good in this area
and work with them. If you struggle
with criticism then learn of God love towards you as you use His First Aid Kit
to heal you from the fresh wounds. |
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Finish the Race: Know the Course Youth Ministry book by Mark Schaufler is here. 350 pages of solid youth ministry foundations. $14.95 donation
Also available in Spanish for $12.95 donation
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