MIM Ezine July 20, 2006

Login Leadership:  Expectations

Thomas Hanover 

“What do you expect of me?”

    It was a valid question.  My answer was better than I deserved and I found myself repeating it to several others before they could ask the question.

    In my ministry leadership role I supervise other pastors – more than 100.  In the recent reorganization the numbers have changed and no one has had the time to do any counts.  My supervision does have a significant impact on credentialing and assignment, so pastors occasionally come to my office with some anxiety.  Clarifying my expectations is an appropriate topic.

     Four words captured by expectations:  “Think Kingdom.  Stay healthy.”

     Even though I am a judicatory leader who shares some responsibility for the church bureaucracy, I am convinced that the health and effectiveness of the ministry is served first and foremost by an obstinate focus the Kingdom of God.  I even believe that institutions can thrive, if they focus first and foremost on the Kingdom of God.

     To read the rest of this article, click here...

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The Reconstruction of A Youth Worker

Scott’s Ramblings

“Mysticism, Church and Superheroes!”

By R. Scott Miller

    Many of my friends wondered when I would incorporate comic books into one of my rants. For the most part, I had not thought about it until recently. 

    Mysticism or mystery in worship is something we usually do not think about or really do not want to think about.  We like to make sense out of everything.  That is why people are often more comfortable with heroes like firefighters, police officers, or even Batman or the Green Hornet.  These heroes make sense.  Firefighters put out fires. . .nothing weird or wild there.  Police officers take care of crime and other situations. . .these heroes make sense.  Even heroes without powers like Batman or The Green Hornet are not a big deal.  They use their brains, fists, and many really cool gadgets to fight weird criminals.

     We like our worship the same way.  Everything should fit into a nice neat box.  We love to be able to mechanically explain everything.  In youth worship that is not always what this generation is looking for.  If it fits too neatly into a box, it is too easy. 

     Unfortunately as Protestants, we spend too much time ignoring our roots in the Catholic and Orthodox churches.  I am not suggesting that the “three hours without a seat” experience I had at a Russian Orthodox Church in Russia is what youth are looking for.  However, some of the characteristics of that experience are worth noting.

    To read the rest of this article, click here...

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Helping Churches Dream Dreams and Live out their Vision!

Book Review – Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries:  Finding Peace in All Kinds of Weather

By Kathy Collard Miller, Bethany House, 2005, 0764200259, 167 pages

Reviewed by Teena M. Stewart

    Worry is our way of trying to control our situation.  Though we may feel like we are actually doing something concrete, the reality is that it wastes energy that can be put to better use.  It can also rob us of joy.  Those of us who believe ourselves to be only moderate worriers may think differently after reading this book which astutely points out   negative behaviors and destructive thoughts in which many of us partake.  These are often offshoots of worry. Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries trains us to identify the difference between fear, careful thought, or worry. In addition, it gives suggestions for diffusing worry.

    For instance, did you know that when we worry about others it is often because we want to control their behavior?  Sometimes what we fear the most is often not as bad as we anticipate.  Though it may bring difficult circumstances, there can be blessings that come out of those trying times.  The author gives us ample illustrations to expand on her points.  Many stories are from her own life experiences plus those of other women she has encountered.

    The author continually brings us back to God’s word as biblical model and reference point, interlacing her chapters with scripture.  Collard Miller’s  examples of women in the Bible who persevered through tough situations, give encouragement and show that others have persevered through similar difficult circumstances. 

    A nice addition to the book is the inclusion of Letters from God written directly to the reader to help sooth us and reassure us that God is in control.  Every chapter includes discussion questions, which can be used for the reader’s own study and reflection or can be also used in small group or class study.  Women, in particular, will find Partly Cloudy a resource that is helpful for daily living and spiritual well being.

Click here to order "Partly Cloudy..."

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