Man in the Making

Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face– Deut. 34:10 (NASB)

 

Moses was a man of God.  In fact, Moses will be counted as one entirely different from other prophets in history’s retelling from generation to generation.  Moses had an intimate relationship with God.  Moses is known as one whom the Lord knew face to face.  That’s intimate.

Moses was molded on Mount Sinai.

Moses was made a prophet by the Maker.

Moses was mentored by the Most High.

Moses was a man in the making even while he was in Midian tending his father-in-law’s sheep.  Moses was getting prepared to be a prophet even while he was being reared up in a palace.  Moses was a man in the making, being made over by the Almighty God for a mission.

The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.- Exodus 33:11 (NIV)

With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?- Numbers 12:8 (NIV)

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Business Over Busyness

Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right. Proverbs 20:11 (NIV)

There is a vast difference between right and wrong actions.  If it applies to children, you can sure bet it applies to us as adults.  That is especially true when it comes down to the “work of the ministry” as well.

God wants us busy at work for the soul-saving and gospel-spreading calling He has bestowed upon us.  He doesn’t just want us busy.  He desires that we handle kingdom business as wise stewards of the King of Glory.  Our approach should not be come about what best fits into our calendar or life plan.  We need to see where we are best suited to truly “serve the Lord with gladness.” We need to serve where we can be found faithful, even if it is over the little things.

God doesn’t want us to go about as Bible-toting busybodies.  Look at the words of Paul to his young pastoral protegé Timothy as he advises on how to handle such people (1 Tim. 5:13).  God wants us serving as a busy body of believers at work for His glory, not simply a bunch of busybody believers.

Let others see you at work for God.  Show your faith through your works.  Get busy doing the right things in the right way and at the right time.  Show the world and other Christians that there is a vast difference between right and wrong.

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Cyber Challenges

“The ways in which churches are reaching out to people over the Internet are expanding.”- The Barna Group

You have a website.
So what?
Your pastor is podcasting, blogging and streaming videos daily.
So what?
Your ministry team is using social networking and microblogging, tweeting and texting at a fast pace.
So what?

Identify more than what you are doing.  That’s just the evidence of some form of effort.  You have to get to the point to where you actually measure the effectiveness of what you are doing.

• Who is reached by what you put out there in cyberspace?
• What is the result of all of your web activities? New converts? Increased visitors? Something else?
• How do you know that your cyber presence is working out?

Google Analytics or some other measurement tool?

Think it through.  You do not want to simply do something.  You want to do something that changes the world.  You want to face your cyber challenges with purpose and intent, confirming the call and cause of your mission and taking action to bring it forth.

Take a moment and see what tools exist that can help and support you to have a critical web presence.  Look at Techmission and Tech Soup for articles and solutions on using technology to its full advantage.  Invest some time engaging your team and focus groups into how to use technology to communicate internally and externally as well as broadcast sermons and services offered by your church or organization.  Take the time to turn your cyber challenges into Internet innovations.

Providing Support, Promoting Success

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Fruit as Evidence

Ye shall know them by their fruits.- Matt. 7:16 (KJV)

We are known by what we produce.  The Bible refers to this as our fruit.  Our fruit serves as evidence of our effort.  The fruit shows that we put our best forward and here is what was produced by our faithful and obedient efforts. 

Our fruit is broken down by quantity and quality:

• Quantity: much or little [John 15:5]
• Quality: good or bad [Matthew 7:17-8]

God intends for us to be both faithful and fruitful.

Providing Support, Promoting Success

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Moving Forward as a Team

“Teamwork is not a preference, it is a requirement.”

–Coach John Wooden

Losing isn’t the worst thing that can happen for a team.  Losing the sense of togetherness and teamwork can be more detrimental to a team than a series of defeats or a losing season.  We need to see how to keep the teamwork as a priority.  Teamwork is about the entire team working as a team.

• Motivate People– Encourage: Get people motivated to work together.  Look into team-building exercises.  Structure fellowship time.  Work in some out-of-the-office activities or outings for the entire team and heir families.
• Maintain Progress– Ensure: With a collective purpose and people motivated to pursue goals together, keep track on progress.  Keep the bottom line in view, but ensure that what your team has set out to do is being worked as a priority.  Saving costs does you no good if it costs you clients and contracts.  See what progress is being made towards goal and record it every step of the way.
• Measure Performance – Evaluate: Work on seeing the bigger picture.  Get beyond your department. See how your team has impacted others.  Take a long, hard look at where you started and where you ended up.  Did you get things done as a team? Evaluate your results and performance. 

Do for others what you would like them to do for you– Matthew 7:12 (NLT)

Providing Support, Promoting Success

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Daily Praying and Planning

The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5 (NKJV)

Prior to taking on any work for the day, I say you should both pray and plan. Pray that God protects, provides for and prospers you in this very day to be a wise steward and servant of all that the Lord has bestowed upon you. Plan your day based upon your morning devotion,devouring God’s Word. Plan your actions for the day based upon reading and reflecting upon God’s Word.

• Pray: At least 15 minutes prior to working
• Plan: At least 15 minutes prior to working
• Preview: Look over your calendar, daily agenda and to-do list; set your priorities

Providing Support, Promoting Success

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Realistic Responses

“When you set yourself on fire, people love to come and see you burn.”

– John Wesley

Does your ministry generate an appropriate response from its members and others? How would you know?

Here are some signs of to see if your ministry is on fire or simply slowly burning out:

• What gets stirred up? [Good feelings or bad memories?]
• What gets sparked? [Community or confrontation?]
• What gets started? [Good works or good grief?]

If your ministry is producing negative sentiments, then you need to infuse some positive changes that will turn things around quickly before you lose more and more people.

Providing Support, Promoting Success

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