November 3, 2024
Each of us is an individual Titanic. We may, in our pride and self-sufficiency, think that we are uniquely grand and unsinkable. But each of us has already struck the iceberg of sin. It’s only a matter of time. But wait. God has provided a lifeboat for anyone who wants to be rescued.
December 5, 2019
Here’s a Christian Standard editorial from 140 years ago that will apply to most everyone, at least on some level. _ _ _ Concerning Failures. By Isaac ErrettDec. 13, 1879 We are moved to say a few words concerning failures, by a letter received from a friend, over whose pathway thick darkness has gathered, and on whose head fierce tempests have broken in long succession, who says: “My life is a failure, and I know it; I have attempted tasks for which I was not qualified and have wasted my life in attempts to be what God never meant I
April 19, 2019
By Jerry Harris The announcement came in mid-January. James MacDonald, founding pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, based in the Chicago area, was taking an immediate and indefinite sabbatical from all preaching and leadership in his ministry. The elders took this action in response to mounting criticism concerning leadership overreach, financial questions, and alleged abuse of staff and members over a 12-year period. Stories of this sort are becoming all-too-common among megachurch pastors . . . and they show no sign of slowing. The churches that provide platforms for these leaders represent tens of thousands of people. High-visibility, powerful-personality pastors and
July 17, 2018
By Jon Wren In his later years, the playwright and poet Oscar Wilde lived in Paris, France. Wilde enjoyed life in Paris with one major exception . . . the recently constructed Eiffel Tower. Wilde considered the tower an eyesore and tried to avoid it at all costs. And yet, due to the tower’s height and central location, no matter where Wilde went, the tower was always in view. This especially annoyed him at lunchtime: He would constantly find himself sitting outside and having to look at the tower while he ate. Finally, after months of unsuccessful searching for a
May 23, 2017
By Mark A. Taylor It”s a principle of leadership whose impact we may not have grasped for our spiritual lives: failure is often the prelude to success. In fact great success may not happen unless it”s built on a foundation of failure. In a way, this is nothing new. We know about Thomas Edison”s thousands of efforts to find a filament for the electric light bulb. “I have not failed,” he said. “I”ve just found 10,000 ways that won”t work.” History teachers tell us how Abraham Lincoln suffered defeat after defeat only to rise to greatness. Others describe J.C. Penney”s
October 20, 2015
By Alan Ahlgrim Integrity failures come in all shapes and sizes, and usually at the most inconvenient times, in the most surprising ways, and from the most unexpected directions. Based on my experience and what I”ve learned from others, here”s my advice for a church coping with a leader”s failure. Over the course of my ministry, here”s just a sample of what I”ve been faced with and forced to lead through. “¢ Confronting the chairman of the elders with his adultery with another visible church member. “¢ Navigating the confession of molestation, as a highly respected leader simultaneously admitted his sin
October 19, 2015
An interview with John Walker By Alan Ahlgrim What would you like a struggling leader to know? First of all, they need to know they”re not alone. Everyone has struggled, is struggling, or will struggle with a life-limiting or ministry-threatening issue. Everyone. Sadly, too many not only struggle, but fail to the point of falling out. Is there a pattern to the failure situations you”ve seen in ministry? Not really, except to say that to some degree, sooner or later everyone messes up or gets stuck. We”re not about blame, shame, or punishment. We”re concerned about restoration and healing. That”s
March 1, 2015
By Michael C. Mack As a leader, your words, whether written or spoken, carry tremendous weight, says teaching pastor and author Eric Geiger. Here are five phrases you should make a point of saying on a regular basis: 1. “Thank you” (or “Good job” or “We could not do it without you” or “I”m so glad you are a part of this team!”). 2. “You make the decision.” Empower others, even when they might decide differently from you. 3. “How can I help you?” Look for ways you can help and serve your team members. The best way to do
March 1, 2015
By Michael C. Mack Neuroscience tells us that optimists make better leaders than pessimists. Stressful situations trigger a fight or flight response, which may manifest itself in a negative emotional reaction. Our brains release chemicals that can be useful if confronted by a bear, but which could prove costly if confronting a church leadership problem. An optimistic attitude helps leaders to view situations from a constructive viewpoint rather than as a dire disaster. Cultivate an optimistic attitude as a leader so that when you are faced with setbacks, mistakes, disappointments, or failure, you can avoid the flight or fight response,
December 17, 2014
By Jim Tune In his memoir Report to Greco, Nikos Kazantzakis reflects on his early years as a searching, God-haunted man needing direction from God. One summer the young Kazantzakis climbed Mount Athos to visit a monastery. There he met Father Makarios, an old monk with a reputation for deep wisdom. In one remarkable exchange, the young Kazantzakis asked the monk, “Do you still wrestle with the devil?” “Not any longer, my child,” Father Makarios replied. “I have grown old, and he has grown old with me. He doesn”t have the strength.” The young man assumed that the battle must
June 27, 2014
By Danny R. Von Kanel Devastated or disappointed by your recent failure? Maybe you should see it as the first step toward your success. Christian businessman James Cash Penney Jr., who founded the J.C. Penney retail chain in the early 1900s, failed in his first foray into business in 1898, after he refused to give liquor to the cook of the hotel that was buying a good percentage of the meat from his butcher shop. Though Penney was devastated by the blow, in the end, it proved to be a blessing. Penney had a unique view of failing that resulted
January 28, 2014
By Mark A. Taylor Did you ever fall without anticipating it? No slow-motion loss of balance before your arm flew out to break the impact””you didn”t even realize you had fallen till you were on the ground. That was my experience last week in a restaurant parking lot on a frigid morning. “Oh, I”ve hit my head,” I said, moving to stand up as soon as I landed. I raised my hand to the pain on my pate and brought back a bloody palm. I have to wash my hand, I thought, and walked back inside. Thankfully, a couple of
January 17, 2013
By Mark A. Taylor Most crucial attributes of the Christian life are more easily discussed than demonstrated. All of us want to be forgiven, for example. But when wronged grievously, most of us struggle to forgive. In the same way, we laud grace, chastity, love, and perseverance. But when faced with another”s failure, our own temptation, a difficult coworker, or an overwhelming trial, how often do we react with something less than the ideal we”ve studied and taught? This disconnect between belief and behavior is universal. Realizing that sanctification is a process and not an event, we need not beat
October 17, 2007
By Mark A. Taylor Power. Pleasure. Pride. Our desire for all three keeps advertisers in business. “Do it all.” “Enjoy it now.” “Show it off.” But this isn”t a diatribe against advertising. These examples are only symptoms of the issue we”re facing. A simple request for photos got me thinking about the problem. “How is it going for you?” I asked a minister after talking with him about pictures for an upcoming article. “Really well,” he said, after a short pause. “Thanks for asking. We”ve been facing some significant spiritual warfare here,” he added. “The more our church has grown,
November 22, 2006
What do we do when a church member drops out? Mark A. Taylor compares church follow-up to a principal’s relentless care for absent students—and asks what it means when someone quietly falls off the radar.
This article is no longer available online, but the entire three-part series is available for purchase as a downloadable resource/pdf. Ordination Item 02971 “¢Â $2.99 Ordination needn”t be a mystery, but it should not be undertaken thoughtlessly. This six-page resource, originally a three-part series in CHRISTIAN STANDARD, explores ordination with an eye toward helping individuals, churches, and God”s kingdom. “¢ J. Michael Shannon makes a case for why ordination is practical and sensible for individuals desiring a lifetime of service in the Lord”˜s church. “¢ Paige Mathews considers a process for assessing the person who wants to be ordained. “¢
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