I slipped into his room late one evening as I arrived home from work only to find him wide awake, snuggled under the covers.

"Hey Dad, it's Wednesday," my 12-year-old said. "Tonight was our date night, Dad! You forgot!"

Somewhere between the deadlines and the donors and the to-do list, I'd forgotten the most important ministry God had entrusted to me, that of my family. It had been weeks since my wife ...

Ray Linder, MBA, is a pastor, CEO of Goodstewardship.com, and author of three books, including What Will I Do With My Money? Ray serves on the ministry staff of Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg, Virginia.

Building Church Leaders, a leadership-training resource published by Christianity Today International, asked him how church leaders can help their people be responsible with God-given resources.

Topics:	Budget, Finances, Giving, Offering, Planning, Sacrifice, Stewardship, Tithing
Filters:	Business administrator, Church board, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Matthew 25:23, 1 Corinthians 16:1-3, 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Date Added:	July 12, 2007

My work in the church has given me a new appreciation for the story of Jesus' healing the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19). As you remember, only one of the ten bothered to thank him. This passage often becomes the basis for sermons and lessons on the importance of gratitude. That's a true interpretation, of course, but it's not necessarily the whole story.

Those of us who are active in church ministry can ...

Topics:	Benevolence, Budget, Finances, Giving, Poor, Sacrifice, Service, Stewardship, Thankfulness
Filters:	Business administrator, Church board, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Matthew 10:8, Matthew 10:16, Matthew 18, Luke 17:11-19
Date Added:	July 12, 2007

I never preach on giving or ask for money," I once told a fellow pastor. "I just leave it up to the people."

"Do you teach your people to study the Bible?" he asked.

"Of course," I said.

"Do you teach them to pray?"

"Certainly."

"If you taught your people to give in a biblical manner, would they receive more or less blessing from God?"

I sat in silence. I realized I was hurting my people, ...

Topics:	Budget, Capitol campaign, Discipleship, Finances, Fundraising, Giving, Offering, Planning, Relationships, Sacrifice, Spiritual formation, Spiritual growth, Stewardship, Tithing
Filters:	Business administrator, Church board, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	1 Corinthians 16:1-3, 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Date Added:	July 12, 2007

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will ...

Topics:	Prayer, Renewal, Sacrifice, Sin, Spiritual formation
Filters:	Missions, Outreach, Shepherd, Small groups, Spiritual director, Sunday school
Purpose:	Ministry
References:	Philippians 4:4-7
Date Added:	September 01, 2004

A final word; Be strong with the Lord's mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10

Ernie Banks, the Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer, is known not only for his accomplishments as a player but also for what he didn't accomplish. Even though Banks was one of the greatest players of his era and had a long and productive career, he never played in a World Series or a play-off game. While Banks delighted Cubs fans with his ...

Topics:	Character, Leadership, Limitations, Motivation, Sacrifice, Service
Filters:	Church board, Counseling, Discipleship, Divorce care, Pastor, Premarital counseling, Spiritual director
Purpose:	Ministry
References:	Ephesians 1:4
Date Added:	January 01, 2005

Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. She is a loving doe, a graceful deer. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love. Proverbs 5:18-19

I chuckle when people lambaste the Puritans for supposedly being sexually inhibited. The so-called puritanical attitude toward sex was actually quite progressive, overturning the more ...

Topics:	Marriage, Prayer, Renewal, Sacrifice, Self-control, Spiritual disciplines, Spiritual growth
Filters:	Christian education, Counseling, Family ministry, Pastor, Premarital counseling, Shepherd, Spiritual director
Purpose:	Fellowship
References:	Proverbs 5:18-19
Date Added:	October 01, 2002

Jesus said, "Let's get away from the crowds for a while and rest." There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn't even have time to eat.
Mark 6:31

A recent Internet pass-around had the heading "Signs you've had too much of the '90s." Several of these "signs" give evidence that we tend to ignore Jesus' words regarding rest:

1. You have a "to-do list" that includes entries for lunch and bathroom breaks, and they are usually the ones that never get crossed off.
   
   

Topics:	Balance, Burnout, Prayer, Quiet time, Renewal, Sacrifice, Solitude
Filters:	Bible study, Christian education, Mentoring, Pastor, Small groups, Sunday school, Sunday school
Purpose:	Ministry
References:	Mark 6:31
Date Added:	May 01, 2003