I’ve been challenged today in how we do church ministry. Here’s a great quote from “7 Practices of Effective Ministry”…”Before you start anything, make sure if takes you where you need it to go.” Ministry needs to start with the end in mind.

Programs are great if they lead people to life-change. Programs usually lead to more of a “need” focus while thinking steps, you are asking, “where do I want people to go?” It is about perspective and leading people to make progress in their spiritual journey.

Jesus commanded us to “make disciples.”  This happens most naturally in the context of meaningful relationships.

One of the ways to hold back ministry is to give people a vision without a strategy to achieve it. This is the difficult part to me. Many times we have the “big picture” figured out for ministry, but what does it look like for an un-churched 9th grade student?

The real question is not just, “How many do we have in attendance”…but more so,  “how many relationships developed while attending?

I believe this is the challenge of the church of America.

What are your thoughts?

I’m really enjoying reading through the book: “7 practices of effective ministry.” I am being challenged to look at how effective ministry is done.

The first chapter is about finding the goal of ministry. The ultimate priority of the church is changed lives (“to make disciples”). This must be our first priority as the church. That is ultimately how you clarify a win for ministry.

Changed lives is simply the scoreboard for the church.

I think using questions like these will help in measuring success:

- Do attendees feel comfortable inviting their unchurched friends?

- How many people are connected to a small group?

- Do the people understand how to apply the scriptural truths we’re teaching in their daily lives?

What do you think? I’d like to know your thoughts.

I plan on finishing both of these books by the end of the month of December. I’ll be posting insights that I gather from these books and my time in God’s Word.

What books are you reading? What is God teaching you?

]]> http://joshrobinson.wordpress.com/2008/12/01/two-great-books/feed/ 0 joshrobinson 51tikw2ujnl_ss500_ seven_practices_of_effective_ministry_2 http://joshrobinson.wordpress.com/2008/11/25/tis-the-seasonto-be-crazy/ http://joshrobinson.wordpress.com/2008/11/25/tis-the-seasonto-be-crazy/#comments Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:28:25 +0000 joshrobinson http://joshrobinson.wordpress.com/?p=314 Continue reading →]]> It is a bit colder here in South Carolina. We have enjoyed spending time with my wife, Dad, Mom, Justin, and Jeff.

With Thanksgiving day almost here it is the time of year to be truly grateful. At the same time, Thanksgiving day is over-run with ads for “Black Friday.” I have memories as a kid of trying to keep up with my mom and her sisters shopping for deals.

I’ve found a great website that shows deals at each store. I plan on getting some shopping done for Christmas.

Although there are great deals on Friday, these people in the video took it too far!

We plan on relaxing, eating, making videos with my brother Justin (J-rob Productions), and enjoy spending quality time with each other. I am very thankful for family!

This picture is from Christmas 2007

I’ve enjoyed a special night with my beautiful wife, Cassidy. We ate some great “Shepherd’s Pie” that was amazing. We watched “Journey to the Center of the Earth” and I must say it was entertaining to watch.

Thanksgiving is coming next week and I must say that she is the greatest blessing in my life.

She is loving, gifted, gorgeous, sensitive, loyal, and patient. We’ve been married for 5 months and seven days! Marriage is awesome. I am tired of people being negative about marriage and saying things like,

“Well…it won’t always be this way, you’ll just get used to each other and argue like us…”
“So…are you guys tired of each other yet?”

Well…for me, I’ll never get over my wife!

I purchased a host server (Go-daddy) to host wordpress. I have a domain and my wife, Cassidy has been working tirelessly to figure out how to make the switch.

Does anyone have some expertise on this? Thanks for your help!

Students many times are viewed as “second class” or “not yet the church”, but I have the privilege to see students to minister to each other. My heart is for this generation to rise up and take their place as servants of Christ.

“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12

P.S. I love this picture of some of the students!