As iron sharpens iron,
one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
“A group of Christian leaders asked by the board of the North Carolina-based The Line of Fire – Dr. Brown Ministries, Inc, to review the findings of a Firefly investigation, which concluded that the ministry’s founder Michael Brown engaged in sexual misconduct with two women, have rejected the findings.” - CPost
“While much focus is placed on pastoral leadership, deacons are no less essential to the church’s mission. No single passage outlines the exact duties of a deacon, but several themes emerge from Scripture, particularly in Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3.” - Church Answers
“Disciple a Younger Preacher. When you help a younger preacher with his preaching, you will inevitably improve your own preaching. You will find yourself critiquing how he outlined his sermon or how he was soft in his conclusion and realize that you do the same thing!” - PastorCenter.org
“Ministry sometimes feels like a slap in the face, often when you least expect it to happen.” - Chuck Lawless
“There is a difference between a predator and a wolf. A predator may come from anywhere. But the Bible gives a special warning about wolves—namely, church leaders who look the part but are dangerous. Matthew records this warning from Jesus” - Sam Rainer
“you can inadvertently create a vibe that suggests the work of membership is somehow ‘less than’ the work of elders. That’s a tragedy.” - 9 Marks
“Ministry success [is]… about the tension between competing goods. Each good is vital. Each demands attention. And each represents a genuine biblical mandate. These aren’t problems to be solved but tensions to be managed in ministry.” - Lifeway
Last time we began a consideration of the Apostle Paul’s statement in Romans 11:13: “I magnify my ministry.” We’re thinking of some practical implications and applications of these words of Paul, which fall in the midst of his extended treatment of God’s future plan for the people and nation of Israel.
We previously pondered our need to manifest sobriety in our ministries, and also to model consistency in all that we do in our service to the Lord.
“Do I think of myself as a leader before I seriously think about my sinfulness? …Do I so see myself in charge that I consider too little the truth that the church belongs to Christ?…Am I living for my recognition or Jesus’ recognition?” - Chuck Lawless
In Romans 11:13, the Apostle Paul inserts a short but pointed phrase which has the power both to convict and to inspire. He wrote simply: “I magnify my ministry.”
It seems that such a personal and dynamic statement may be better understood when it is exemplified than when it is exposited. But it has captured my imagination, and I thought that I would share a few thoughts on the subject—for my own sake, as well as those who read them.
Discussion