Church Leaders
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“Helping Elders Make Relationships More Effective Ministry Tools”
An Interview with Pastor Ben Taylor
This six-part series covers practical issues facing Shepherds.
Time Management
How does an elder manage his time so that he is able to shepherd? All elders, not merely the paid full time elders, share in the shepherding responsibility. The question is, how do these men who have their own families and full-time jobs find time to do this work?
Time Management
How to Build Bridges of Trust
How to Build Bridges of Trust
Shepherding is best accomplished in a relationship where we know each other on a deeper level. But we should not expect people to share the deeper parts of their life without us having earned their trust. We have to earn the trust of the other person so they know they are safe in sharing their hearts. How do we earn the trust that functions like a currency that opens the doors to the heart?
How to Ask Questions that get to the Heart
What questions would you ask to get to the heart of someone you are shepherding? Being men, we often find it difficult to get deep with other men. This is a problem because without knowing what is really going on deep in a person’s heart, it is impossible to know how to encourage them. Sometimes, we might mean well but feel like our thoughts come out wrong and we fear looking like idiots. How do you ask good questions? There are two issues at work in asking questions that get to the heart. In our last visit, we discussed the first issue: how to build trust. Trust is a vital foundation that allows us to ask questions that plumb the depths of the heart.
How to Ask Questions that get to the Heart
Identifying Idols of a Man's Heart
Easier Sermon Development for Greater Impact
How to Gain Confidence to Shepherd
Does the idea of you shepherding others strike a little fear in you? I think many elders are reluctant to do the deeper relational work of shepherding because they simply lack confidence. They might not know what to ask, or, they might not know what to say in response to a deep question that is asked of them. Regardless, confidence is needed in order to develop healthy shepherding practices.
How to Gain Confidence to Shepherd
The Gospel Moves us to the Frontlines of Ministry
The gospel helps church leaders with one of their toughest challenges: that of moving people from the sidelines to the front lines of ministry.
God’s Discipleship Pattern in Scripture
The latest research reveals that 75% of the children raised in evangelical churches are leaving the faith.
Covenantal Nature of Trouble and Suffering
In tears, the mother said to me, “I’ve been praying for my daughter for a long time, asking God to change her heart. Why hasn’t God done something?”
Elders Pray This for Your Sheep!
What do we pray about that really helps those we are praying for? Certainly, we pray that God will bring restoration to hurting relationship, physical healing..
Shepherding Requires Intentionality
It has been my experience as well as my observation that the most difficult counseling cases typically are the result of people who have not been…
The Key to Genuine Reform in the Local Church
Reform in the home will not come merely by focusing on equipping the men to lead or by giving children a Christian education.
Helping People With Their Unbelief
The book of John is pregnant with the theme of belief. It’s palpable and yet it is often lost on the people to whom Jesus is ministering…
Liturgy of the Ordinary
The hotel ballroom was packed. I was one of three plenary speakers at a conference for youth and children’s ministry leaders. In commenting on the alarming…
Five Relationship Building Questions
Listed below are five relationship-building questions that I put together and gave to each of my three oldest children age 13-16 right after Christmas.
Nine Questions for Church Leaders
A performance-centered person functionally rejects the centrality of the gospel and slavishly responds to a craving to please their own flesh.