Leadership
Surviving Toxic Leaders: How to Work for Flawed People in Churches, Schools, and Christian Organizations
By Kenneth O Gangel, Wipf and Stock, 2008 Toxic leaders. The topic frequently pops up in both secular and religious news. Undeniably, toxic leaders even flourish within fundamental churches and organizations. Kenneth Gangel’s book, Surviving Toxic Leaders, answers two main questions: what does toxicity look like and how should people under toxic leaders respond effectively. The author [...]
Christ-Centred Preaching in a Self-Centred Culture
‘For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord’ (2 Cor. 4:5 ) After a full life of ministry, the fifty year old Charles Spurgeon writes, ‘Souls by hundreds come to faith in Jesus under a ministry which sets Him forth clearly and constantly. Few remain unbelieving under a preacher whose great subject [...]
Complement, Coworker or Doormat?
Three main streams of thought on the roles of men and women exist within the church. They are briefly defined below. For a fuller explanation, click here. Complementarianism (n.) The belief that men and women have complementary roles and responsibilities in marriage and the church. Leadership roles are prescribed for men; support roles are [...]
Eleven reasons I love reading Christian biographies
1) I find biographies easy to read when I’m too worn out to read heavier genres like theology, philosophy, history, etc. 2) I get to “hang out” with and learn from men and women who lived exceptional lives. 3) I get to experience places and cultures and events through the written page that I will [...]
Are You Effective?
The best thoughts do not always win. Ideas that are communicate effectively come out on top. I often ask myself, ‘Why are the best television advertisements for beer? Can’t the gospel be promoted with equal professionalism?’ Without diminishing the work of the Holy Spirit, we should ask ourselves, ‘Is our poor delivery obscuring the message [...]
The Fire Starter
I scarfed down my last bite and dashed toward the car, grabbing my stuff on the way out. Within a few minutes I was walking into the room where the others had already gathered to pray. As I sat down, my thoughts were scattered, my emotions rattled, and my heart anything but warm. If you [...]
Pastors and blogging (An interview with Al Garlando)
Following on from last week’s interview with Bob Bixby, I’ve interviewed Al Garlando, an Australian blogging pastor. Jason Harris interviews Albert Garlando for InFocus JH: I know you’re a busy man, so I appreciate you taking the time to share with us. First, just let us know a little about yourself. Where you pastor, your [...]
Should pastors blog? (An interview with Bob Bixby)
Part of the purpose of InFocus is to develop the Australian blogosphere. We do this by providing an Australian section in our blogroll, by linking generously to Australian blogs, and by encouraging Australian readers, thinkers, and theologians to blog. I want to further support this purpose by focusing today on the question “Should pastors blog?” [...]
Cold but heart warming Perth
Our family have been in Perth for the last 10 days or so. We are here another week. When we arrived the overnight temperature dropped close to zero. Coming from warm Cairns we had the shock of our lives. It is the first time I have seen Michael’s lips turn blue. We are in Perth for [...]
Learning from Luther
Martin Luther (1483 – 1546) was one the most colourful and passionate characters in church history. As a principle reformer, Luther took complex issues and unravelled them into the common vernacular – allowing theologians and farmers alike to respond with childlike simplicity to the Gospel. We know and love the narrative. The lawyer turned Catholic [...]
Three Errors in Establishing Church Ministries
A good friend and mentor taught this personal life lesson to me. NO VISION, NO ABILITY TO EXECUTE “We’ve tried it before.” “That won’t work here.” “I’m too busy.” It can be very disheartening to meet people who have no vision for God’s work and no heart to see it accomplished. The Ephesians were partly [...]
Just because
You know how to recognise a person who isn’t acting deliberately? Ask him “why?” If he doesn’t know, then he’s probably doing it “just because.” “Just because” is rarely a good reason. “Why do I need a reason for everything I do?” you might ask. Because that’s what it means to live deliberately. It means [...]
