In my last article, I wrote that we can end up putting barriers in the way of a church doing what we might naturally, legitimately expect it to be doing. It is natural for churches as living, healthy entities to grow. So, what are some of the barriers or constraints that might be in place:… Continue reading Space to Grow: What are the potential barriers to growth?
Category: Leadership
Space to Grow – should we expect churches to grow and multiply?
Living things tend to grow. This means that I would generally expect healthy churches to be growing and as well as this being seen in spiritual growth as members are discipled in Christ, it should also include numerical growth as well. So, as you think about your local church context and look ahead, do you… Continue reading Space to Grow – should we expect churches to grow and multiply?
What approval are you looking for?
In my last article I said that whilst seeking approval can become idolatrous, it is not always necessarily so. Sometimes it is right to be concerned for recognition and approval. In this article we’re going to dig a little bit more into that by focusing on elders and church leaders. What type(s) of recognition/approval should… Continue reading What approval are you looking for?
Approval
A little while back I wrote a little on the way that we can be tempted by three types of idol: approval, comfort and security. Now one of the things about idols is that they tend to be parasitical on things that are genuine needs and in and of themselves, in context, within boundaries are… Continue reading Approval
Is it burnout?
I’ve seen a few articles talking about burnout among those in church leadership over the past few weeks. These seem to be particularly in response to the experience of leaders through the COVID-19 pandemic which has in many ways amplified many of the challenges of Gospel ministry. One helpful contribution to the discussion was this… Continue reading Is it burnout?
When someone is falsely accused
This is the third and final part of my mini-series on false accusation. In my first article, I said that often the person who is falsely accused is not in a position to do much and so will be dependent upon the help of others. I believe that this is where others in the leadership… Continue reading When someone is falsely accused
On not playing the accusers’ game
In my last post on false accusation, I argued that following Jesus’ example in the face of false accusation doesn’t mean that we cannot respond to lies in order to challenge, correct or clarify. Rather, I said that it means we must not play the same game. Peter says about Jesus: 22 He committed no sin,… Continue reading On not playing the accusers’ game
What can I do when falsely accused?
Sadly, we’ve seen some high profile examples of sin, bullying and abuse or of church leaders failing to handle such situations well. I’ve written occasionally about these things because I’m concerned to see healthy churches and healthy leadership. However, not every accusation will be true. Sometimes this is because there has been a genuine misunderstanding… Continue reading What can I do when falsely accused?
Why I’m still a complementarian
A little while back, Aimee Byrd wrote “Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.” The book was significant because Aimee was writing from a conservative evangelical perspective, she would have at least up until that point been identified as complementarian but in the book she went head to head with the dominant complementarian voices in the… Continue reading Why I’m still a complementarian
Idols, culture, abuse and scandal
On Friday I wrote about the source idols of approval, comfort and security quoting this from Tom Wood’s book. We admit our own striving for wholeness through approval, comfort or security from others, from self-accomplishment, from this world’s offers of life or even our religious successes, as if they are life. Wood, Dr. Tom. Gospelling… Continue reading Idols, culture, abuse and scandal
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