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Most commonly ignored conversation
Do you know the most common conversation people (especially leaders) wish they had had sooner? It’s the “What I think about you” conversation. That might sound like a difficult conversation – and it would be if it was with someone… Continue reading
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Excellent application requires two kinds of exegesis
Exegeting a biblical passage or theme isn’t not enough to do excellent application. The other type of exegesis needed is to deeply exegete the heart of yourself and your audience. What will they first think when they hear this? How… Continue reading
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What makes your task valuable…
The value of a task is not derived from who can do it, but who it is done for. Just because only a few people can do a task, doesn’t make it valuable. The preacher’s prep, the musician’s practice, the… Continue reading
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Reflections from building the HBC Hub
About 12 months ago I took an architect and a couple of our Committee of Elders to a 1970s warehouse and pitched the idea that by the grace of God we could use it as a home base for our… Continue reading
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Should you tell your spouse everything?
Marriages shouldn’t have secrets. You should never promise that you won’t tell your wife/husband. People who reveal private and personal details to you should know that those details could go to your spouse. But “could” is the operative word there.… Continue reading
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Remember you’re dealing with two worlds
Both worlds are connected, both worlds influence each other. God is sovereign over both, and he created both. But even so, be careful not to confuse these worlds or imagine links between them that aren’t there. I’m talking about the… Continue reading
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Everyone wants a piece of you?
Do u feel like everyone wants a piece of you? Say no to all of them because you aren’t here for them, you are exclusively for Jesus. So don’t say that you’re split in lots of different directions… You’re not,… Continue reading
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MTS, the doctrine of election and the gold rush
Have you ever considered the similarity between the line, “There’s gold in them tha’ hills” and Jesus saying to Paul, “I have many people in this city” (Acts 19:10). During the Australian gold rush periods, thousands of people left their… Continue reading
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You have a culture, did you know?
Whatever the group, big or small, whole church or growth group, it has a culture. There’s a commonly agreed way things are. A commonly held idea about how things happen; evangelism, bible reading, singing, everything. You only notice it when… Continue reading
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What happens when you don’t turn up
Have you ever wondered what happens when you don’t turn up? Whether it’s to church or a growth group or something else, do you know what happens when you’re not there? People notice, and generally they try and assume you… Continue reading
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Questions direct conversations
The person asking the questions usually gets to direct the conversation. Speaking to someone is like landing in a random Wikipedia page, and as they speak certain things are clickable; family life, work, growing up, troubles, joys, hopes, fears. You… Continue reading
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No… you hang up first
If you make a lot of phone calls, just another thing to be wary of (if there wasn’t enough on your mind already) is; who’s hanging up first? It’s always worth waiting a few seconds just to make sure they’ve… Continue reading
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Using the best part of your day
Have you ever considered what part of your day you are usually most effective or productive? Some people simply can’t read after 9pm – they just fall asleep. Others can’t read before 9am – they’re just not awake enough. Some… Continue reading
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Actions have a very limited vocabulary
Yes, actions do speak louder than words. But they have a very limited vocabulary, in fact, actions communicate very few things when it’s said and done. (Or just done for that matter.) The best actions can do is communicate that I love… Continue reading
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1 Minute Manager
The whole point of this book really has one point; Can you describe the job you want someone to do in one minute? You can’t just name the job (e.g. “Welcoming leader”). You have to so explain the job that… Continue reading
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100 years from now
Rather than thinking about what difference you could make tomorrow, or even this year, ask yourself the question “what can I do that will make the most difference in 100 years?” Why? 100 years is a good timespan because you’ll… Continue reading
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Improve, don’t simply replace
If you have to sub-in for someone, or something breaks and you need to replace it, don’t just replace it, improve it. What you have is an opportunity that rarely comes along. An opportunity to provide for the future and… Continue reading
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Finish at the height of fun
You have two options. Call things to an end at the height of their fun, or, call things to an end after that when everyone’s had enough. This is something they tell teachers and cru camp leaders all the time.… Continue reading
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Don’t wait for numbers, just run it
If you’re going to run an evangelistic course, don’t wait until you have enough participants. Why would you? If you’ve got two people who are willing to hear the gospel, do it as planned. Just smaller to suit the numbers. There’s… Continue reading
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Define what TYPE of conversation you’re having
What type of conversation are we having? Because if you think we’re having a “Let’s come to an agreement before we move on anything” conversation, and I think we’re having a “tell me your ideas, perspectives, issues with my plans… Continue reading
MINISTRY PRINCIPLES & PRAGMATICS 