Paul's Leadership Insights

HEARING THE CALL OF GOD To begin our journey into local church leadership, we must establish that successful ministry does not demand professional credentials, a famous pedigree, or a perfect life. Rather, ministry demands the ability to heed the call of God. As a local church leader, success hinges on the ability to hear and obey the voice of God. As we are invited to follow Christ in the pursuit of a divine calling, we are invited into a life that is far bigger than anything we could find on this earth. Many times, answering the call of God is...

As we consider the daily “work” of the ministry, we must think in practical terms. To conclude this lesson, we will discuss six practical tips that will help us to avoid disaster in our various church departments and ensure a positive working culture. 1. Manage Your Goals The art of managing your goals is discovered in four simple steps. First of all, you must think intentionally. Ask questions such as: What must I do to raise my capacity for leadership? How can I improve my ministry department? How do we fulfill the mission and vision of our local church? Next,...

When discussing the proper foundation for ministry, we do not look to fancy suits, speaking ability, or a wealth of higher education. Rather, we look beneath the surface to the condition of the heart. Titus 1:6-9 and 1 Timothy 3:2-7 are similar in purpose and content. In each Biblical passage, the Apostle Paul lists qualifications for church leaders. His words teach us a powerful principle for healthy leadership. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle,...

Normally, an article on leadership and self-development is written from a positive perspective. Titles such as, “Follow these five steps for success…” or “How to create team synergy” are common examples. They each present positive steps a person can take to ensure goals are achieved. Articles such as these show us how to lead and live as God intended. This article, however, does not follow the expected format. Instead of presenting a series of positive points, it presents a series of negative points that once followed will limit a person’s progress in life and ministry. These points are common pitfalls...

We've all been there. If you're like me, you hope to never go back. Dinner is roasting in the oven at home. There's a bowl of pretzels on the kitchen table. You forgot to take out the trash. As you sit in the planning meeting discussing paint colors and minuscule aspects of the upcoming Christmas production, your mind is a million miles away. In fact, your mind is melting. It's actually turned into a big glob of mush. Team meetings are a vital part of leadership. However, without a purposeful structure and a pre-determined agenda meetings can easily turn into drawn-out...