Motivations
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The love that sparks the task should fuel the task
When you start a project or task its easy to get motivated. New things are exciting and carry a sense of momentum. But we don’t just go and do new things… we do things that we believe in… we just… Continue reading
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#Nexus2015 – Cross Shaped Ministry – Reflections Part 1
(The recent Nexus2015 Conference “A cross shaped ministry” thought through the implications the cross has on how we think about gospel work in our churches. These are some of my personal reflections.) 1. The cross kills our wrong ministry motivations We don’t do ministry to… Continue reading
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Don’t do things for the right reason… Instead, do them for the right…
Christians have an appropriate concern about their motives. We want to do things for the right motivations, and we want our church families to do things for the right motivations. That’s a good thing. However, we can get caught up… Continue reading
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If their “attitude” is poor, should you tell them to just stop serving?
Well yes, it really depends on what you mean by having a “poor attitude”. But extremes aside, if someone’s attitude is just “off” or “a bit grumpy” about being part of a ministry… what should you do? Tell them to… Continue reading
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Reblog: Who do they love?
Ministry is a hard game. We’re building relationships with people, as we help them build a relationship with Jesus. Its a big volunteer game too; we invite them to devote themselves to projects and events… But there’s a wonderful question… Continue reading
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The values of competition
In some circles competition is shunned and avoided at all costs. And there can be some very good reasons for avoiding competition – especially when dealing with people who have a very competitive nature. However, not everyone has a competitive… Continue reading
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The difference between being in ‘sales’ and being in ‘ministry’ is…
The difference between being in ‘sales’ and being in ‘ministry’ is heartbreak. See, if I’m trying to sell you something, it’s because I get a commission, or it’s my job – get paid to help you want something (usually want… Continue reading
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Reblog: What separates us from the secular managers…
…is motivations. The secular world only cares about motivation; they want motivated people. People with drive and self-persuasion. But Christians don’t want just motivated people. We want people with specific, godly motivations. As an example, you could work for something… Continue reading
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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
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Disagreement does not mean devaluing
It’s really important that we separate disagreeing from devaluing. Being disagreed with does not mean that we’re being devalued. Just because my boss doesn’t agree with me, that doesn’t mean he devalues me. Just because a husband decides against his wife’s… 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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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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Defend the weak = stop gossip
Gossip isn’t simply when “other people” talk about you. That’s fine. Rather, gossip is when other people talk about you in damaging ways… when they talk to other people about your intentions, your motives. Or putting it the other way… Continue reading
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Bad motives make bad excuses
What do you do with the person who wants to pull out of volunteering because they “don’t feel like they’re doing it for the right reasons”. It’s hard because motives do matter. We want people to do things with good… Continue reading
MINISTRY PRINCIPLES & PRAGMATICS 