Philosophy of Ministry

One of the concepts we talked about at the D.Min. residency in Charlotte was developing a philosophy of ministry. That philosophy includes the following:

• Worldview--how do we view the world, what are our philosophical and theological underpinnings?
• Ultimate Purpose--why does our organization exist? The ultimate purpose is shaped dramatically by the worldview.
• Growth Principles--some might review to these as core values. These, too, directly result from worldview.
• Aims--the ultimate purpose and growth principles shape the aims of the organization. What are we going to shoot for in order to reach our ultimate purpose?
• Strategy--How are we going to get there? This is where most people spend their time--the day to day choices about how to reach the aims. The strategy is impacted by the growth principles and the aims.

Here's what's interesting, the author of this concept suggests that board meetings focus on the top four, while staff meetings focus on strategy. The board must own the ultimate purpose, be convinced of the growth principles, and establish the aims of the organization. The staff, then, develops the strategies that are in line with those. Interesting stuff. Trying to flesh it out more.

Daddy Date Night

I try to spend time with each of my three kids on their own. A couple of weeks ago, Grant and I went to a movie together.

A couple of nights ago, Morgan and I had a date. She was so excited. She put on a dress, lip gloss, and a beautiful silver bracelet. She even carried a little purse with her. She picked everything we did:

• Dinner at Fazoli's


• Riding the Carousel at Southridge Mall


• Chocolate dipped in chocolate cones at Dairy Queen


• Snuggling together and watching The Little Mermaid.

Her only other request was that I not fall asleep during the movie--she knows me pretty good. I wonder what Corbin will want to do?

A Day in the Life

I love being a pastor. No two days are really the same. It's full of variety. For example, today I've...

• Prayed and spent time with God
• Led the team meeting where we focused on strategic planning
• Reviewed financial reports
• Developed the sermon idea for Sunday
• Counseled with a person
• Talked with a guy about getting involved in a ministry
• Returned phone calls and answered e-mails
• Booked a missionary for a service in 2009
• Read from the new book Walking with God.

It's a great day. I think we moved the ball down the field.

Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

While I was in Charlotte working on my doctorate, I along with a few others took in a showing of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

I left the theater with two thoughts running through my head.

First, when the army fought for Narnia, they lost. When they fought for Aslan, they won. That speaks to our motive. When we build our Kingdom, we lose. When we build his Kingdom, we win.

It makes us ask the question--for whom are we working? For whose glory are we fighting? For whose name are we charging into battle?

The second idea that struck me had to do with the white witch. Peter almost gave in and brought her back to life, but Edmund put a stop to it.

Edmund was the one to stop it becuase he knew what she really was behind the lure of power. He knew becuase he had gone down that failed road before. God never wastes an experience--good or bad. He used Edmund's horrible experience with the white witch to keep the others from going down the same path.

You might see completely different principles or lessons in the film, but these were two that stood out to me.

Walking with God

I'm reading a great new book by John Eldredge (author of Wild at Heart). It's called Walking with God: Talk to Him. Hear from Him. Really. The book is a powerful and personal journey into how to hear from God.

It's always amazing to me how people don't mind you talking to God, but start getting nervous when God starts to talk to you. Yet, at the heart of our belief about God is that his is the Great Shepherd and the sheep know his voice.

I encourage you to get a copy of the book and the workbook and start listening for that still, small voice. It's an amazing journey.