Church Leader Gazette http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/ en-US Copyright 2012 Mon, 14 May 2012 06:30:55 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Pastor, Are You the Chief Sinner in Your Church? by J.R. Briggs Failure seems to be the last thing we're willing to talk about in ministry. We'll talk about staff issues, attendance, building campaigns, missions committees, elder board meetings, budget issues and denominational meetings. But not failure. ]]> http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/pastor-are-you-the-chief-sinne.html http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/pastor-are-you-the-chief-sinne.html Monday Morning Encouragement Mon, 14 May 2012 06:30:55 -0600 Leaders: Born or Made? by Samuel Chand A recent television reality show featured three chefs in a competition. They received the same list of ingredients and were to prepare several courses. Each chef had the same amount of time and could use only the ingredients on the list. When the gourmet meals were finished, a panel of judges picked the winner. ]]> http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/leaders-born-or-made-by-samuel.html http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/leaders-born-or-made-by-samuel.html Church Leadership Mon, 14 May 2012 06:24:50 -0600 Courage in the Commission by Joseph Tkach The famous American pilot Eddie Rickenbacker once said, "Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared." But, it's very human to think of courage being the absence of fear. That's why Rickenbacker's observation can help us in our Christian lives. ]]> http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/courage-in-the-commission-by-j.html http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/courage-in-the-commission-by-j.html Evangelizing the Lost Mon, 14 May 2012 04:48:34 -0600 How to Criticize - And Not Be Hated For It by Jim Daly When was the last time you read Dale Carnegie's classic, How to Win Friends and Influence People? Although it's sprinkled with time-dated illustrations, its core messages are timeless. For example, consider the following excerpt on how to correct a person without unduly offending them. As a husband and father, this lesson has broad reaching application: ]]> http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/how-to-criticize-and-not-be-ha.html http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/how-to-criticize-and-not-be-ha.html Church Leadership Mon, 14 May 2012 04:25:20 -0600 How You Can Unpack The Power Of Appreciation In Your Marriage by Dr. Ann
I've caught myself doing this more than once.

In the everyday course of living out my married life, there are times when I'll find a quirk or problem that gets under my skin.
]]> http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/how-you-can-unpack-the-power-o.html http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/how-you-can-unpack-the-power-o.html For Family Ministers Mon, 14 May 2012 04:19:39 -0600 The Profile of a Godly Mother by John MacArthur I once came across an interesting article on motherhood by a man named W. L. Caldwell written back in 1928. Here's what he said: ]]> http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/the-profile-of-a-godly-mother.html http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/the-profile-of-a-godly-mother.html For Pastor's Wives Mon, 14 May 2012 04:15:03 -0600 A Light in the Dark by Jim Cymbala When I was ten, my family lived on Parkside Avenue in Brooklyn near Prospect Park. We live in a small railroad apartment, so called because it had three narrow rooms in a straight line, like boxcars. My older brother, younger sister, and I shared the only real bedroom. My parents slept on a pullout sofa in the living room, no more than twenty feet away from us. We were obviously a very close family. ]]> http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/a-light-in-the-dark-by-jim-cym.html http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/a-light-in-the-dark-by-jim-cym.html Devotions for Church Leaders Mon, 14 May 2012 04:12:23 -0600 If There Ever Was a Time to Pray, That Time is Now (Why Prayer Matters in These Troubled Times) by Daniel Whyte III (LISTEN)
Matthew 7:7-11:

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
]]> http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/if-there-ever-was-a-time-to-pr.html http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/if-there-ever-was-a-time-to-pr.html CLG Media Mon, 14 May 2012 04:09:54 -0600 When Benevolence Ministry Becomes Risky by Michelle Dowell Around lunchtime on a Friday, a man entered a Boston-area church and soon left with the church secretary's purse, according to a local news station. The man claimed he needed money to support his five children. After the secretary went to consult the pastor on how to respond, the man--and also her purse--were gone. ]]> http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/when-benevolence-ministry-beco.html http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/when-benevolence-ministry-beco.html Church Business Mon, 14 May 2012 03:51:06 -0600 Pastor, Do You Want to Finish Well? Start Now. by Kevin East Leading people is tiring. If you've ever been in a position of influence, I'm sure you'd agree. At times, it is stressful, lonely, and people are exposed to your flaws continuously. It's kind of like the old African proverb says: "It is the monkey that climbs the tree the highest, where everyone sees his rear." So true. ]]> http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/pastor-do-you-want-to-finish-w.html http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/pastor-do-you-want-to-finish-w.html Monday Morning Encouragement Mon, 07 May 2012 10:46:12 -0600 "Evangelism" Is Unbiblical--There I Said It! by Greg Stier Okay, now that I have your attention and, before I get beaten to death by an angry crowd of tract-wielding "soulwinners", let me explain. ]]> http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/evangelism-is-unbiblicalthere.html http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/evangelism-is-unbiblicalthere.html Evangelizing the Lost Mon, 07 May 2012 10:00:31 -0600 Why People Settle For Mediocrity by Scott Williams It seems like I'm in constant conversations with organizational leaders, groups and individuals about settling. By settling, I mean they see a better way, a better plan, a better relationship and a better situation; however they choose to settle for their existing state of mediocrity. If better is within your reach and you choose to settle for less, you are settling for mediocrity. ]]> http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/why-people-settle-for-mediocri.html http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/why-people-settle-for-mediocri.html Church Leadership Mon, 07 May 2012 09:58:28 -0600 When Background Checks Lead to Discrimination by Frank Sommerville In response to the numerous cases of child abuse by church employees, most attorneys recommend that churches conduct criminal background checks on employees that work with children and youth. Similarly, churches began requesting credit reports on employees and applicants because of the high rate of reported theft and fears of embezzlement. Unable to resist a good idea, many churches have expanded these checks to include all job applicants. Now the extensive use of background checks may have created a new problem for churches: unlawful discrimination based on race, national origin, and color of skin. ]]> http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/when-background-checks-lead-to.html http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/when-background-checks-lead-to.html Church Business Mon, 07 May 2012 09:55:14 -0600 Attention All People-Pleasers, Fixers, and Rescue Artists . . . by June Hunt After 11 years of conflict, turmoil and tears, Patricia found the courage to end an on-again/off-again relationship with her abusive boyfriend. Yet instead of feeling relieved, she was overwhelmed with sadness and entertaining ideas about taking him back. Seeking direction, she called Hope In The Night, my live 2-hour call-in counseling broadcast: ]]> http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/attention-all-peoplepleasers-f.html http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/2012/05/attention-all-peoplepleasers-f.html Devotions for Church Leaders Mon, 07 May 2012 09:52:37 -0600 But I Have A Right To Be Angry by Tracie Miles "Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires." James 1:19-20 (NLT)

I had been lied to, betrayed and hurt. I was angry, and thought I had every right to be.


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