Uncategorized
-
A better illustration than “trellis & vine”
The “trellis & vine” is a really helpful illustration in some ways. It helps clarify the difference between word/disciple ministry and upkeep/admin ministry. You can’t have one with out the other… even meeting up 1:1 to read the bible requires… Continue reading
-
How to handle your church’s money
There’s only a few big principles to think about when it comes to handling money.1. Reduce people’s ability to steal like their corrupt hearts want them to. Jesus has us pray that God would keep us from temptation. That’s reason… Continue reading
-
A theology of Attention
In the new age of digital media, where a movie can be copied/transmitted/watched for next to no cost, we begin to see what was always the underlying commodity: Attention. Peoples’ attention. Apparently I have your attention now, though I might… Continue reading
-
Different types of time with your team
We need different types of time with people. Your spouse is a good example. It’s good to set aside time with your spouse each week to talk about, plan and pray for the various ministries you’re both doing. It’s also… Continue reading
-
Recruit recruiters… or run out of time
Some people just do the ministry their given. Some people can do the ministry and they recruit people to expand their ministry. Some people recruit recruiters. They find other people who will ask other people to join them in that… Continue reading
-
There’s only 4 conversation types
If you’re going to sit someone down and chat about their sin, there’s only a few conversations there… Do you think you’ve sinned? Are to going to stop doing this sin? How are you going TO stop doing this sin?… Continue reading
-
When “don’t trust in yourself” is bad advice
At one level, of course it’s right. We trust God alone to effect change and give growth and value to all that we do. But for that very same reason it can be bad advice. Because didn’t the God who… Continue reading
-
Scripture, stories and stats
Different people are tuned into different frequencies. Some people just want to principles from scripture, the verses to back it up, and the biblical implications. Anything else is superfluous fluff. Some people just resonate with stories. The personal journey, the… Continue reading
-
When you focus on one “why” over another “why”
If there are two types of reasons “why” you might do something (see previous post) can you focus on one of those types of “why” too much? You can… If you focus too heavily on the “functional why” (because we… Continue reading
-
What type of “why” are you chasing?
There are two ways you can answer the question “why?” There’s the cause and the function. The motivation and the outcome. The purpose and the result. They are both right answers to the question “why?”. Both need to be addressed. Both need… Continue reading
-
Read this to change the universe
I heard of a psych who goes into jails to counsel murders. He noted how they reach a point where they realise the irreversible nature of what they’ve done. They can’t reverse it. He used the phrase “they realise they… Continue reading
-
Numbers change communication
When church is 30-60 people, your primary communication channel is word-of-mouth; you can get around to most people in a week, and the other will hear about it soon enough. Any ads up the front, or video-ads are purely secondary… Continue reading
-
Would it have been better to just do walk-up?
Structures take a lot of effort. They take time. Human hours. Sometimes structures can get so big they no longer justify the number of human hrs it takes to make them happen. But how can you make that call? How… Continue reading
-
Av. idea executed well VS. an excellent idea with av. execution?
You have to work out what you’re happy with. And you can’t treat every scenario the same. If you never do anything, waiting for the perfect idea to come along, you’ll never do anything. Sometimes it’s just better to run… Continue reading
-
What to communicate when you gather as a staff team
Church Staff meetings have a tendency focus on abstract theology, or boring logistics. But what should you take the opportunity to do when you get your staff together? Make sure you celebrate each other’s wins. Have people talk about how… Continue reading
-
Dreaming big with calm contentment
Gospel ministry is an exciting pursuit, however there are two sides of the ledge to be wary of. The first is having such a big dream/vision/aim that you struggle with ever being really content in how God is using you.… Continue reading
-
The difference between a poisonous person and a venomous person
You know the difference between poison and venom… if you bite it and you die – it’s poison, if it bites you and you die – it’s venomous. The same can be true of certain people. Some people can be… Continue reading
-
Set bite size tasks — seemingly 5 mins — to start big projects
You’d like them to read a book? Set them two tasks; read 5 pages, tell me when you’ve done that. You’d like them to listen to a pod cast? Set them the tasks of; getting it in their iPod, and… Continue reading
-
Your way is not the only way it can get done right #horstmans-laws.8
(This is a series of reflections on Horstman’s Laws) If you’re in gospel ministry, it’s easy to get into a way of thinking that the way you do things is the right way… the only way. And when someone comes up and suggests… Continue reading
-
How you feel is your responsibility – not other peoples’ #horstmas-laws.7
(This is a series of reflections on Horstman’s Laws) Other people do not control how you feel. Other people do not make you feel angry, or feel mad, or even feel jealous or happy. Your feelings are exactly that… yours.… Continue reading
MINISTRY PRINCIPLES & PRAGMATICS 