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Privacy, keeping secrets and keeping confidences in ministry #horstmans-laws.6
(This is a series of reflections on Horstman’s Laws) Sometimes the people of this world truly are better at dealing with their own kind than people in the kingdom (Lk 16). In the secular world, people know they need to… Continue reading
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If humans are involved, it’s never going to be simple and straightforward #horstmans-laws.5
(This is a series of reflections on Horstman’s Laws) Systems are great. They help us to be clear in our own heads, teams, organisations. They stop things falling through the cracks. Well, not really. Something’s will always fall through the… Continue reading
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Why churches and businesses are not the same and why they are the same #horstmans-laws.4
(This is a series of reflections on Horstman’s Laws) Leadership is not the ability to control people. Because you can’t control people. Some business (corporate) leaders think because they pay their people they should be able to control them –… Continue reading
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Don’t pretend there’s NOT an issue #horstmans-laws.3
(This is a series of reflections on Horstman’s Laws) People know when you’re faking it. They just do. If you think you’re that clever that you can pretend you don’t have an issue or a strong reaction to something, you’re… Continue reading
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You haven’t communicated enough, yet #horstmans-laws.2
(This is a series of reflections on Horstman’s Laws) You could communicate more. Even if you feel you’ve already told them, even if you think they ought to know by now. It’s always, always, always better to risk over communication… Continue reading
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The best use of your time is to invest in another person #horstmans-laws.1
(This is a series of reflections on Horstman’s Laws) People are amazing. People, by the providence of God; decide, act, influence, dream, feel, speak, pray. And then, by the grace of God, Christians are used by him to usher people… Continue reading
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What are they afraid of?
If you can help Christians answer this question for themselves, for their own lives and their own ministry involvement, you help them take a big step towards maturity as they face fear with the god who provides and promises to… Continue reading
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Who do you think you are to them? Decide that or have it decided for you…
If you’re in leadership over other people, (particularly in gospel work–though not exclusively), you are a large figure in people’s lives. You’re not just a growth group leader, you’re not just the preacher or the mc or the team leader… Continue reading
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Feedback Cards… unless you’ve got a better idea?
So… feedback cards. Some people love them, others hate them. Here’s some principles: They don’t work on their own. You need to communicate clearly about them, again and again. They don’t get filled out without a bit of social urging…… Continue reading
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If you can’t imagine a better future, you shouldn’t be in leadership
This really seems to be a basic requirement for leadership that I’ve rarely heard. Leaders lead somewhere. They aren’t called “Maintainers” or “Keepers”. They lead people towards a future they can imagine. If you can’t imagine what the thing your… Continue reading
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Learn to spot a lie, and teach others to do the same
This really is a skill that needs to be cultivated. A great way to do it is to pause your tv at the end of an ad. Try it one day, when the ads come on, watch the first one… Continue reading
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Getting past, “no no, I’m fine” when you suspect they’re not
3 steps… First, take them at their word. Celebrate and rejoice that they’re not harbouring some sort of anger or dissent. Say, “oh, that’s great! I’m so glad to hear it!” Second, verbalise your fear. Tell them that you were… Continue reading
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How many people do you sit at a table?
Seth Godin offers some great insights into why you should never sit people at tables of 10 if you want them to discuss and chat together. And at the same time, he points out how — if you let the… Continue reading
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The conversational pop-in (rather than burst-in)
Dominic Steel told us this once, and I love it… Christians can get really excited when the person we’ve been dying to speak the gospel to finally opens that door in a conversation… All of a sudden there’s an opportunity… Continue reading
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Do you agree with the line, “I’m only responsible for my actions, but I’m not responsible for people’s reactions”?
It’s a commonly repeated idea, particularly in Christian circles. The last time I heard it, it was phrased, “we should only measure the things we do, we shouldn’t measure the things other people do – because we can’t control it.”… Continue reading
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The best way to help MTSers develop self-assessment habits
Just one question, asked again and again… “Why?” “When you did that lesson, why did you do it that way?”, “Why did you talk to him rather than her?”, “Why did you sit there?”, “Why did you change your plans?”,… Continue reading
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New Maturity Podcast – When to have hard conversations
New pod-cast has been uploaded – When to have hard conversations. http://richard43133.podomatic.com/entry/2013-10-13T16_42_55-07_00 Continue reading
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If you get devastated when your ministry fails, was it your idol?
Don’t think so highly of your ministry that you get wiped out when it doesn’t work. So… the kids didn’t come along. So… the person didn’t think it was valuable to meet with you. So… they decided to go to… Continue reading
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The proximity element of Christian love (or “love the one you’re with”)
The parable of the Good Samaritan might better be titled the parable of the unloving Jews. For that’s what is highlighted as three wannabe “righteous” Jews come into proximity with a man who needs help, and they avoid him. But… Continue reading
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Use the volume of background music to help your crowd
I’m skipping over another Ministry Pragmatics topic (Why you should use background music during social time). But I just want to focus on how you use the volume during those times. Most people set the volume at a level where… Continue reading
MINISTRY PRINCIPLES & PRAGMATICS 