As a young teenager, I had recently become a follower of Jesus. One day, my family took me to a revival meeting at a small church in Springfield, Ohio. While I do not recall much of what the evangelist spoke about, I distinctly remember the moment in his message when I felt a clear calling from God to become an evangelist myself. From that moment on, I began to pursue that calling with all my heart. I have fulfilled my calling through various ministry positions and serve as a local church Pastor. However, as fulfilling and rewarding as this calling has been, it also comes with highs and lows. Ministry is not a smooth ride; it can be incredibly satisfying and utterly exhausting. It's a rollercoaster of emotions that requires us to constantly lean on God for strength, wisdom, and perseverance. The truth is, the highs are high, and the lows can be pretty low. If you are like me, you've probably had those moments that were so low that you just wanted to quit. As you read this, you may be feeling that right now. Maybe you are dealing with criticism, conflict, or simply feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. I want to encourage you today to keep going because the calling of ministry is worth it. Amid all these challenges, there is a joy and honor that comes with living out our calling as leaders in God's kingdom. One thing that makes ministry so hard is that it's not just a job; it's a calling from God. As leaders in His Church, we carry the weight and responsibility to lead His people and represent Him to the world. This level of commitment can feel daunting, especially when we face challenges and struggles that seem too big to handle. We are expected to have all the answers, to be constantly available, and to pour out our hearts and souls for others. It's a constant balancing act that can take its toll on us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But even amid these challenges, we can find comfort and strength in knowing that God has chosen us for this calling and will equip us to fulfill it. God cares more about you than your ministry. Despite the challenges, what makes the calling of ministry a great joy and a profound honor is that God cares more about you than your ministry. We are not merely servants but sons and daughters of the Most High. Being in Church isn't just about doing for God; it's about being with God. He cherishes our relationship with Him above all else, and it is through this relationship that we are nourished and rejuvenated. He comforts us in our trials, provides wisdom in our dilemmas, and fortifies us with His strength when we feel weak. Our ministry flows out from our connection with Him. It's easy to get caught up in the tasks and the to-do lists and lose sight of the One who gave us this calling. But remember, God does not measure our worth by the success of our ministries but by our willingness to love and serve Him wholeheartedly. This realization can bring a great sense of relief and freedom, transforming the burdens of leadership into opportunities for spiritual growth and increased reliance on God's power, not our own. A divine task and reward As we've said, the joy of ministry is not without its challenges, but it's essential to remember one of the most beautiful aspects of our role. Imagine, for a moment, if you had someone who spent their entire life helping your spouse to love you more. They dedicated their time and effort to guide them, nourish them, comfort them, and help them understand your love more deeply. What overwhelming gratitude you would feel towards such a person! Now consider this: as pastors and ministry leaders, this is the divine task we have been assigned regarding Christ's bride, the Church. We have been given the awesome responsibility to help God's people grow in their love and understanding of Him. Yes, it's a task that comes with significant challenges, but the privilege to serve Christ in this capacity and witness the growth of His love within His people is a reward. Let this truth reignite your passion and commitment to the high calling of ministry. But I have fear, doubts, and questions. Internally, we grapple with our doubts, fears, and feelings of inadequacy. We question whether we are doing enough, if we are leading effectively, and if we are genuinely making a difference. We face the pressures and expectations of the congregation and the world at large. We are expected to have all the answers, to always be there for everyone, and to navigate difficult situations with grace and wisdom. In addition, we contend with the broader societal expectations and perceptions of what a pastor or church leader should be, which often do not align with the reality of our human limitations or biblical expectations. This is where a philosophical shift is necessary. Our value in ministry should not rest on our abilities, accomplishments, or the approval of others. Instead, our worth should be rooted in our identity as children of God, called and equipped by Him for this work. We need to move away from a performance-driven mindset to one that recognizes ministry as a journey of faithfulness and obedience to God's call, recognizing that we are doing this to obey and serve Him. Jesus, our ultimate example, did not seek to please the crowds or conform to their expectations. Instead, He faithfully fulfilled God's will, even when it led to the cross. As followers of Jesus, we are to do the same. Our aim should not be popularity or success by worldly standards but faithfulness to the call of God and service to His people. We are not called to be perfect but to be faithful. This shift in perspective can free us from the burdens of unrealistic expectations and the fear of failure, allowing us to serve with joy and authenticity. Remember, in the Kingdom of God, it's not about being the best or the most successful; it's about being faithful and obedient to God's call. The value of our ministry is not measured by worldly standards but by our faithfulness to God's call. May this truth encourage and challenge you in your journey of ministry. Walking the tightrope of faithful leadership. At the heart of our calling as pastors and ministry leaders, we must recognize the significant stakes in our hands. For us, our obedience to God's call is paramount. Our faithfulness in serving Him and His people determines our spiritual growth, our intimacy with Him, and our eternal rewards. We are constantly being shaped and molded through this journey, becoming the leaders God has called us to be. On the other hand, for those we serve, the stakes are equally high, if not higher. As leaders, we play a pivotal role in their spiritual journey. Our teaching, guidance, and pastoral care can significantly impact their understanding of God, their relationship with Him, and their spiritual growth. We have the privilege and responsibility of helping them navigate their faith, encouraging them in their walk with God, and aiding them in understanding and applying God's Word in their lives. Furthermore, our leadership and actions can significantly influence their perception of the Church and Christianity. Therefore, we must strive to lead with authenticity, grace, and Godly wisdom, fully conscious of the high stakes involved in our calling. The beauty and weight of it all. Having served in the ministry for over 40 years, I have journeyed through seasons of immense joy and profound heartache. There have been times when I have felt the overpowering euphoria of a thriving ministry, seeing lives transformed and witnessing the incredible power of God's love. But there have also been moments so difficult, so challenging, that they have brought me to my knees in despair, questioning everything. Yet, through every high and low, I have come to understand that these experiences are all used by God for His glory if I will allow Him to have them and do His work in me. Each challenge, each victory, has been a vital part of my growth as a leader and follower of Christ. They have shaped me, molded me, and prepared me for the journey ahead. In the face of hardship, I have learned to lean not on my understanding but on God's wisdom and strength. In times of joy, I have learned to give thanks and recognize that every good and perfect gift comes from above. Looking back, I see not just a series of ups and downs but a beautiful tapestry woven by the hand of God, each thread contributing to the masterpiece of His calling on my life. It is this perspective that has carried me through, and it is this truth that I hope will encourage and strengthen you in your ministry journey, too. With the wisdom and experience gained through decades of ministry, I want to add with authority that the calling of pastoral leadership is not just an occupation; it is a divine appointment - a sacred trust. The highs and lows, the triumphs and trials, the joys and heartaches all serve a purpose in God's grand design. From my journey, I've learned that walking in obedience to God, leaning on His wisdom rather than my own, and trusting Him in every season is the path to true fulfillment in ministry. These lessons weren't taught in a classroom but were forged in the crucible of real-life ministry through each challenge faced, and each victory won. They have shaped who I am, deepened my faith, and strengthened my resolve to serve Christ faithfully. Remember, God's calling on your life is irrevocable, and He who has called you is faithful. He will equip you, guide you, and sustain you in every season of your ministry journey. Embrace the joy and challenge of the pastoral calling. Embracing the tension of leadership in the Church is a journey of continual growth and deep trust in God. As pastors and ministry leaders, we navigate a unique dynamic of joy and challenge. We are called to lead with authority, yet serve with humility; to be strong for our congregation, yet vulnerable before God; to speak truth, yet exemplify grace. This dual nature of our calling can often generate tension, but it is within this tension that we find our true strength and purpose. Living with this tension requires surrender, acknowledging our limitations, and our need for God's wisdom and guidance. It involves understanding that our strength is made perfect in weakness, and it's okay not to have all the answers. It means walking in humility, recognizing that we are shepherds, not The Shepherd, guides, not the destination, servants, not the Savior. It is in this space of surrender and humility that we create room for God to move, for His strength to shine through our weaknesses, and for His wisdom to guide our decisions. Moreover, living with the tension of leadership involves embracing the paradox of joy and sorrow, success and failure, certainty and doubt. It's recognizing that our journey will be marked by peaks of victory and valleys of defeat, moments of clarity, and seasons of confusion. Yet, in every high and low, in every triumph and trial, God is at work, molding us into the leaders He wants us to be and using our lives to impact others for His glory. Embracing this tension is a part of our calling, a part of our journey. It is not something to be avoided or feared but accepted and learned from. It is in this tension that we grow that we learn to rely more on God and less on ourselves. It is here that we learn to lead with grace, to serve with love, and to walk in obedience to God's call. So, embrace the tension, lean into it, learn from it, and let it shape you into the Leader God has called you to be. Here are a few things that I have found to help me live in the ongoing tension of this calling: 1. Seek God's Wisdom in All Things (James 1:5) Embrace the promise that God generously gives wisdom to those who ask. As leaders, it is essential to prioritize seeking God's wisdom through prayer, study, and meditation on His Word. This wisdom will guide your decisions, your teaching, your pastoral care, and every aspect of your ministry. 2. Cultivate a Heart of Servanthood (Mark 10:43-45) This is not my nature, but Jesus, our ultimate example of leadership, made it clear that greatness in the Kingdom of God is marked by a heart of servanthood. As a ministry leader, I pray that for his transformation of my heart daily to be like that of Jesus as a servant of all. Let's strive to model this servant leadership in our interactions with those we serve. Prioritize humility and self-sacrifice over personal ambition or recognition. 3. Persist in Faithfulness (1 Corinthians 4:2) God values faithfulness more than flashy results or worldly success. As a pastor, your responsibility is to be faithful in fulfilling the tasks God has entrusted to you regardless of the results and leave the results in His hands. This includes faithfully teaching the Word, caring for His people, and living a life that models Christ-like character. Regardless of the season you're in, your focus should always be on faithfulness to God's call more than anything else. Despite the challenges and the seemingly insurmountable highs and lows, the pastoral calling remains a uniquely rewarding and fulfilling journey. It is a divine entrustment that calls us to dig deep into the core of our spiritual lives and lead God's people with wisdom and humility. As we live out our calling, seeking God's wisdom, cultivating a heart of servanthood, and persisting in faithfulness, we'll witness the transformative power of God at work in us. We'll see ourselves growing into the image of Christ, our ultimate Leader, and experiencing the profound joy of serving others. This transformation is not an overnight occurrence but a lifelong journey of becoming. It is a journey marked by grace, shaped by prayer, and sustained by the relentless love of God. So, let us embrace this glorious calling with courage, steadfastness, and a heart fully surrendered to God. And as we do, we can look forward to the day when we hear those words that every servant of God longs to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." May this hope inspire us to live out our calling with faith, hope, and love, and may our lives bear witness to the transformative power of the gospel we preach.

When describing teenagers, a popular image gets used a lot: a moody, awkward, and explosive young person. And while there's undoubtedly some truth to that characterization, it's not the whole story. Teens are also incredibly creative, full of energy, and capable of great things. But unfortunately, they don't always get the support they need to tap into their potential. As a result, many teens feel lost and uncertain about their future, but it doesn't have to be this way. Like most adults, they struggle with self-doubt. They think they are not good enough, and the world is against them. After all, they are going through one of the most turbulent periods in their lives, transitioning from childhood to adulthood. All along, parents are going through all of this with them. They often do not know what to do. They hope that they, both their teens and themselves, survive. With no surprise, it seems to be a mess. Parents depend on the church, specifically the youth Pastor or youth leader. The Pastor is doing the same thing by focused on teaching and leading adults. They often forget that what the adults need is help with their teenagers. What do you do? It's Time For a Big shift One of the best ways to help teens is to shift our ministries to partner with parents. Too often, parents are left out of the equation, and that's a mistake. They're the ones who know their kids best and they need to be involved for ministry to be effective. Partnering with parents looks different depending on the ministry. One of the biggest mistakes we make in ministry is that we are asking something more of the parents. We ask them to attend another class at church or another event. Like all of us, as much as we love our kids and want them to succeed and live as followers of Jesus, we are spent, exhausted. So, how do you tackle this problem? We already have everything we need for those who are a part of the church. We need to do some realignment of how we do what we do. Imagine the Outcome Imagine that you are partnering with the parents in your church while they are already at your services. And no, you don't need to move them out of the adult service to a class. Instead, you align the teachings at age-appropriate levels. In other words, the adults are hearing a sermon or message as usual about a Biblical topic and applying it to their lives. At the same time, the teens are learning the same Biblical passage at an age-appropriate level. Now partnership can truly begin. For example, the lead Pastor may mention something to parents as he is preaching, like, "your teens are learning this same thing today; on your way home, be sure an talk about..." Likewise, the youth leader can do the same, "be sure and talk with your parents about this issue on the way home and throughout the week." Always Provide Resources More than likely, you are already providing parental resources in your ministry. If not, it's time to start. Unfortunately, in most churches, we provide resources to parents that require them to go home and do more homework. Something most of us couldn't wait to get out of school to quit doing. By getting in alignment with your teachings, there is no more homework. There are receiving the training they need during the service. And the follow-up resources are a result of both the learning for adults and teens. Communicate, communicate, communicate Communicate with parents regularly. You may be thinking our youth Pastor does that already. That is not what I said. Pastor, lead Pastor, communicate with parents regularly. Get on the same page with the youth Pastor in the communication during services and throughout the week. If you are a lead or senior Pastor, you are the one who is totally and entirely responsible to "teach these new disciples to obey my commands" (Jesus, Matthew 28). Not only is it essential to partner with parents, but with your pastoral staff and volunteer leaders. They represent you and your ministry leadership every time they have a gathering or teaching. With the teaching alignment, you can talk about what you are teaching at a new level. Not only will you be better at communicating with parents and teens, but you will also be better at communicating and working with your team. They will feel part of the vision and mission of the church like they never have in the past. In the same way that parents should not just be handing their teenagers off to the church and hoping the youth group and youth Pastor will make them a disciple, you as a Pastor and church shouldn't either. You are in this together; ultimately, the success or failure of the youth ministry is on you as the leader. Pray for Parents Finally, we need to pray for parents and their kids. They face many and varied challenges and can't do it alone. We need to ask God to help them stay strong in their faith and to guide their kids through the difficult teenage years. Do this publicly and privately. When you have your teachings aligned, at the end of a service, you can pray for the parents then and there. You don't have to have a separate prayer meeting. At that moment, ask those in your congregation that don't have teenagers to commit to praying for parents throughout the week. You will begin to build unity as everyone gets on board with the vision. Looking Back, Looking Ahead Most of us, as adults, look back on our teens years with fond memories, even when going through mood swings, dramatic outbursts, and embarrassing situations. We recall our adolescent years with fondness. But, if we as church leaders take the steps described, we will raise a generation of leaders who don't have to dig to remember teen years with fond memories. Instead, we will raise a generation that values the formative years of becoming adults alongside parents and pastors who cared enough to pour the life of Jesus into them. And, in turn, will be warriors for the teens under their care.

Leadership can be tricky. It requires vision, courage, and dedication to succeed. Jesus understood this better than anyone else and offered us an example of leadership that can make a difference in our lives and the world around us. In His ministry, He focused on creating a clear vision for His followers to inspire them to take action. However, he also showed us how to guard against those things that could kill our visions before we can bring them into reality. Following Jesus' example of leadership, we can learn how to focus our ministry and church through vision. 1. Prepare In Private One of the critical lessons we can learn from Jesus about creating a vision for our ministry and church is the importance of preparing in private. In the Gospels, we see Jesus often retreating to quiet places to pray and seek guidance from His Father before making important decisions. As ministry leaders, setting aside time for personal reflection and prayer to seek God's direction for our vision is crucial. This time allows us to develop a clear vision or strategy and deepen our relationship with God as we seek His will for our ministry. Too often, leaders get caught up in the excitement of a new idea or trend and must remember to count the cost of what it will take to achieve the vision. By reflecting privately, we can continue to evaluate how we pursue our vision and what it will take to make it a reality. Furthermore, private preparation helps us focus on our vision, especially during challenging times. When we face opposition or roadblocks, our private preparation reminds us of why we started on this journey in the first place. It strengthens our resolve to press forward, despite the obstacles ahead. Preparing in private is an essential component of effective ministry leadership and ensuring we stay on vision. 2. Be Okay with Vision Uncertainty Uncertainness is part of the process as much as we want a clear and specific vision for our ministry and church. Jesus often taught through parables and used metaphorical language to share His vision for the kingdom of God. He understood that His followers may not always understand the whole picture, but that didn't stop Him from sharing His message. The same is true for us as ministry leaders. We may not have all the answers or know exactly where our vision will lead, but we should still pursue it. Instead of letting uncertainty paralyze us, we must embrace it as an opportunity to grow in our faith and trust God's plan. One of the benefits of vision uncertainty is that it allows us to remain flexible and open to new possibilities. When we become too attached to a specific outcome or plan, we risk missing out on other opportunities that may align better with God's will. By being open to uncertainty, we create space for God to work and reveal His plan for our ministry in new and unexpected ways. However, being okay with vision uncertainty also means being prepared to face new challenges and setbacks. Jesus often faced opposition and persecution in His ministry, but He remained steadfast in His vision because He knew it was part of God's plan. As ministry leaders, we need to be prepared to face similar obstacles and setbacks as we pursue our vision. To be okay with vision uncertainty, we can follow Jesus' example by remaining faithful and trusting in God's plan. We can also surround ourselves with a community of believers who will support and encourage us. By acknowledging our limitations and submitting to God's will, we can embrace uncertainty as an opportunity to grow in our faith and trust God's plan for our ministry and church. 3. Guard Against Vision Killers Once we have established a clear vision for our ministry and church, we must protect it from vision killers. Vision killers can surface in various forms, including doubt, fear, distractions, or even people. These threats can dilute our focus, compromise our values, and divert us from our vision. Jesus understood the importance of guarding against vision killers. In Matthew 16:23, Peter attempted to dissuade Jesus from pursuing His vision of sacrificing Himself for the salvation of humanity. However, Jesus quickly rebuked Peter, recognizing his words as a vision killer. Nevertheless, he knew that His commitment to His mission was non-negotiable, and no obstacle or detractor could sway Him from it. In the same way, as ministry leaders, we need to be aware of the various vision killers that may arise and take steps to prevent them. Here are some practical ways we can safeguard our vision: Stay focused: Once we have a vision, we need to remain vigilant and focused on it. We must prioritize our time, energy, and resources in alignment with the vision. We must also address any distractions or temptations that may hinder our progress. Surround ourselves with positive influences: We need to surround ourselves with people who support our vision and will provide us with constructive feedback. These individuals can be our sounding board, offer us insight and advice and help us to stay accountable. Stay grounded in God's Word: Regular study and meditation on God's Word will help us to discern His will and stay focused on Him. His Word will give us the strength and wisdom to overcome the obstacles that we may face. Pray without ceasing: Prayer is our direct line to God, and it is essential that we continually seek His guidance, wisdom, and protection. Through prayer, we can also ask God to reveal any vision killers we may not be aware of and give us the strength to overcome them. Guarding against vision killers requires discipline, focus, and perseverance. It is not always easy, and there may be times when we are tempted to compromise our vision. However, by following Jesus' example, remaining faithful to our mission, and relying on God's strength, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve the vision He has called us to pursue. 4. Watch for Resources As ministry leaders, we may often face challenges finding the necessary resources to bring our vision to fruition. These resources could take various forms, such as funding, human resources, or even physical resources, such as a building or equipment. Jesus understood the importance of having resources to carry out His mission. In Luke 10:2, He advised His disciples to pray for laborers to help in the harvest. He recognized that even with His supernatural abilities, He could not fulfill His mission alone. Similarly, we must know the resources we need to bring our vision to life. Therefore, we need to keep our eyes open for potential opportunities and resources that may present themselves. Here are some ways we can watch for resources: Seek God's guidance: We must seek God's guidance and wisdom to know where to seek resources. He may open doors or provide us with new ideas. Utilize online platforms: We can use numerous online platforms, such as social media platforms, tithe.ly app, or crowdfunding sites, to raise funds or resources. We can also use them to network with like-minded individuals or organizations. Network: Networking is an excellent way to connect with people and organizations with similar visions or goals. We can attend conferences or events related to our ministry and connect with speakers, attendees, or exhibitors. Partner with other organizations: Partnering with different organizations can help us leverage resources we don't have, such as expertise, human resources, or equipment. Leverage technology: Technology can help us work smarter and faster. We can use online tools to help us manage our resources, keep track of finances, or even automate some of our processes. Cultivate donor relationships: Donors are crucial resources for any ministry or church. Therefore, we must cultivate and maintain relationships with our donors so they continue to support us. 5. Celebrate Victories One of the most critical aspects of achieving our vision is celebrating our victories along the way. Celebrating the small wins will help us to stay motivated, energized, and committed to our vision. Jesus understood the importance of recognizing and celebrating victories. In Luke 10:17-20, when the disciples returned from their mission, they were filled with joy and celebration because of the successes they experienced. Here are some ways we can celebrate our victories: Acknowledge progress: We should acknowledge and celebrate our progress toward achieving our vision. This could be as simple as recognizing an achievement during a team meeting or sending out an email update to our supporters. Host an event: Hosting an event is a great way to unite people, celebrate our successes, and share our vision. It could be a fundraising event, a volunteer appreciation event, or a celebration of a particular milestone. Share on social media: Social media is an incredibly effective way to share our victories with a broader audience. We can share updates, photos, or videos of our progress and wins, which can also help to attract more supporters and raise awareness of our ministry. Thank our supporters: Our supporters are partners in achieving our vision, and we must express our gratitude for their support. Sending a thank-you note or hosting a donor appreciation event is an excellent way to show our appreciation and celebrate our victories with them. Reflect and evaluate: Celebrating our victories allows us to reflect on our progress and evaluate our strategies. We can assess what worked well, what didn't, and what we need to adjust going forward. By celebrating our victories, we recognize our progress and share our successes with others, which can inspire and motivate them to support our vision. It is essential to remember that the journey toward achieving our vision is long, and we must celebrate each milestone along the way. 6. Talk about the Vision One of the most critical elements of leading a ministry or church is articulating the vision clearly and concisely. Jesus was a master at painting a picture of His vision for the world using parables and stories. For example, in Matthew 13:31-32, Jesus spoke about the kingdom of heaven being like a mustard seed that grew into a great tree, showing how something small and seemingly insignificant could grow into something significant. Here are some reasons why we should talk about the vision at every opportunity we get: Inspiration: When discussing the vision, we inspire others to join us in our mission. People are drawn to leaders who are passionate about their work and have a clear sense of purpose. Communicating our vision enthusiastically creates excitement and energy around our mission, motivating people to get involved. Alignment: When discussing the vision, we create alignment among our team, volunteers, and supporters. People want to be part of something bigger than themselves, but they also want to know that their efforts contribute to a larger purpose. When we communicate the vision clearly, we create a shared understanding of what we are working towards, which can help everyone align their efforts toward achieving our goals. Clarity: We clarify our priorities and goals when discussing the vision. As leaders, we are responsible for articulating the vision in a way that is easy to understand and remember. When we communicate the vision consistently and continuously, we create clarity around what we are trying to achieve and how we plan to get there. Evangelism: When discussing the vision, we create opportunities to share our faith and values with others. Our vision reflects our beliefs and values, and when we communicate the vision, we create opportunities to share these foundational beliefs with others. Momentum: When discussing the vision, we create momentum toward achieving our goals. Our words have the power to build momentum and speed progress. When we consistently communicate our vision, we develop a sense of urgency and excitement around our mission, propelling us toward achieving our goals. Jesus demonstrated the power of words in communicating a clear vision and inspiring others to join Him in His mission. As leaders, we can learn from His example and use our words to create a shared understanding and commitment toward achieving our vision. So let's speak up and talk about the vision at every opportunity. Vision is not just a buzzword in the world of ministry and church leadership. It is an essential tool that can help us focus our efforts, align our priorities, and inspire others to join us in our mission. Jesus was the ultimate visionary leader who used parables and stories to communicate His vision clearly and concisely. As His followers, it is our duty to do the same. By preparing in private, embracing uncertainty, guarding against vision killers, watching for resources, celebrating victories, and talking about the vision, we can create a powerful vision that guides us toward our goals. Let us remember the impact of Jesus' words and strive to use them to inspire, unify, and create momentum in our ministry and church leadership.

II Kings 2:19-25 WHY DOES THE IDEA OF GOD JUDGING SOMEONE SEEM SO HARSH? DOES GOD JUDGE CHILDREN OR TEENAGERS? WHY DO WE RECOIL AT THAT? 19Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold now, the site of the city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.” 20And he said, “Bring me a new jar, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. 21Then he went out to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have purified these waters; there shall not come from there death or unfruitfulness any longer.’” 22So the waters have been purified to this day, in accordance with the word of Elisha which he spoke. 23Now he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up by the road, some young boys came out from the city and ridiculed him and said to him, “Go up, you bald head; go up, you bald head!” 24When he looked behind him and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore up forty-two of the boys. 25He then went on from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria. BACKGROUND Let’s put today’s passage in a little bit of context. Elisha has just come from seeing Elijah caught up by a whirlwind to heaven. He took Elijah‘s coat and struck the Jordan River and it parted to let him cross. The 50 prophets who were there saw this and were witnesses to the transition of the authority of Elijah transferring to Elisha. Then the prophets approached Elisha and asked for permission to search for the body of Elijah in the surrounding countryside. Elisha told them not to go because he knew what had happened to Elijah, that he was taken up to heaven. But they pressured him so much that he felt embarrassed and finally said go ahead and do the search. They came back after three days, not finding the body of Elijah, and then finally recognized that Elisha was truly prophet in his place. Now Elisha begins to take up the mantle of ministry. And we begin with a request for assistance from the people of Jericho. As we begin, we should recognize that we’re about to dig into a passage that is one of the most difficult to interpret in all the scripture. That is, the tearing of the 42 boys by bears. Why would God do that? That is the question many people ask but have no answer for. EXAMINATION (V.19) Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold now, the site of the city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.” The city in question is Jericho which was once under a curse. After Joshua had taken the city in his first campaign entering the promised land he uttered a curse. “Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and builds this city Jericho; with the loss of his firstborn he will lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son he will setup its gates” (Joshua 6:26). This was fulfilled in I Kings 16:34 where it says, “Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho; he laid its foundations with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the LORD, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.” Though the city had been rebuilt its water supply was bad. The word used for “unfruitful” in this passage literally means, “miscarry,” as in miscarrying a baby. In other words, drinking the water could cause a miscarriage. But the water was also bad for crops, which is why the people mention that the land was unfruitful. Without a supply of good water the city was not able to feed itself. Their situation was dire and they needed saving. (V.20) And he said, “Bring me a new jar, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. WHAT DOES SALT REPRESENT IN SCRIPTURE? WHAT DID JESUS SAY ABOUT SALT? There was nothing about the jar or the salt that could cure the water. A little salt, which otherwise makes water bad, could not heal a bad spring from which the water came. The jar and the salt were symbols Elisha used of something else. A jar contains things and salt is representative in the scripture of preservation, and in the New Testament, the Gospel. Jesus is the new jar. The salt is the Gospel. And the healed waters the life lived by the Spirit. We see in this instance, the Gospel being portrayed before us in picture form. (V.21) Then he went out to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have purified these waters; there shall not come from there death or unfruitfulness any longer.’” We see here in this passage just how bad the water really was. It was poisonous. It poisoned their crops and it poisoned their people. We see this because he says there shall not come death nor unfruitfulness any longer. Drinking the water caused miscarriage in women, and it caused death. No city can survive without a means of freshwater. Elisha had effectively healed the city’s primary water source. (V.22) So the waters have been purified to this day, in accordance with the word of Elisha which he spoke. Even today the spring which feeds this water source is fresh and without any trace of harm. *** Now we come to a passage of scripture that is one of the most difficult to understand, and for some people to accept. Let’s spell it out plainly. Elisha cursed some boys, probably teenagers, and the result was that they were mauled by bears. Some of them may have died, certainly there were serious injuries. We have trouble accepting that children, even teenagers, would be cursed by a prophet and be torn. Not only were some of them harmed, but 42 of them were harmed. This seems a little extreme to our modern ears and we find it difficult to accept. So let’s dig into this passage to see what it means. (V.23) Now he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up by the road, some young boys came out from the city and ridiculed him and said to him, “Go up, you bald head; go up, you bald head!” VERY OFTEN IN SCRIPTURE WE ARE HELD TO ACCOUNT FOR THE WORDS WE SAY AS IF THEY WERE DEEDS. WHY DO YOU SUPPOSE THAT IS? JESUS SAID WE WOULD GIVE ACCOUNT FOR EVERY WORD SPOKEN, EVEN CALLING SOMEONE A FOOL CAN IMPERIL US. WHY? This wasn’t simply a small group of boys or young men hanging out. The best we can describe this in modern terms was that this was a gang. And in fact, we learn it was a large gang. There were at least 42 of them, probably more. Therefore, what Elisha was facing was not simply taunting, but he may have been facing danger to his person. How does one man face down 42 youth that might be intent on his harm? The saying, “go up you bald head,” may reference two things. First, they may simply be saying to him get away from here or go away from here you bald head. They’re making fun of him. To be bald in ancient times was considered a curse not a blessing. It was a deficiency. This was in contrast to Elijah, who was a hairy man and yet his replacement was a bald man. Second, this may refer to the manner which Elijah was taken away, which everybody knew about. They may be saying to Elisha, go up into the sky, like Elijah did you bald head. In other words, you’re cursed you can’t be like Elijah. You’re not a prophet like Elijah. This would be more than making fun of the man, this would be making fun of his calling and his status as prophet of God. IS IT EVER APPROPRIATE TO CURSE SOMEONE, TO WISH THEM HARM? (V.24) When he looked behind him and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore up forty-two of the boys. Now comes the hard part, in two ways. First, Elisha cursed the boys in the name of the Lord. This is not speech that in our modern day we often think is appropriate for a man of God. We should bless and not curse. We are called to be focused on the positive, the good things, the blessings, not to curse. And yet Elisha does so in the name of the Lord. So God was with him in the curse because he had something that he was going to do, something he was going to prove. The second thing is the two bears that came out of the woods and tore up 42 of the boys. In scripture, bears are often representative of judgment. We see this is Proverbs 17, 28, Isaiah 59, and Lamentations 3. The way the language is used in this passage indicates that there were more than 42 boys. It’s just that 42 were the ones who are harmed. Why would God harm 42 boys? What about this word, boys? The word used here for boys can refer anything from children to young men, even young adults. It’s likely that it refers to people who are probably teenagers anywhere from 12 to 18 years of age. Though it is possible they were older. We just don’t know. But the fact that God would curse and then cause harm to 42 young men like this is hard for us to accept. Especially simply for something that they said rather than something that they did. Why did the Lord do this? To be honest, I read over 40 commentaries on this passage. None of them had an answer for why God would cause this to happen with the bears and the 42 boys. Nobody really knows why God resorted to such drastic means. So, let me offer what I think it might be one possible contrast. We have two parts of our passage today. One part shows Elisha saving a community, Jericho. The next part of our passage that we were into right now, shows judgment. These are the roles of a prophet in ancient times—that of saving and that of judgment. One group came out and sought Elisha so that God might save them. The other group ridiculed him so that God might judge them. Ministry, even in the day in which we live, involves both saving and judgment, or saving and discipline. In Matthew chapter 18, Jesus talked about conducting church discipline upon those who do not repent of their sin. That is a legitimate function of the church and its leaders. Sometimes it requires judgment. Remember what Jesus said should happen to the person who refuses to hear the church and receive church discipline, he said they are to be treated as sinners and tax collectors. That’s a form of judgment or discipline. Remember what the apostle Paul said could be done with a completely unrepentant believer. There was one instance in which he said he was turning that person over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh that his soul might be saved in the day of Christ (I Corinthians 5:5). That’s harsh! So while our pastors and ministers are involved in acts of saving, they’re also involved in acts of discipline and judgment. These are legitimate functions of ministry. Even today. I think that is what’s going on with the passage here. God is showing that Elisha is a true prophet of God. He has a ministry of saving and he has a ministry of judgment, though most of Elisha’s miracles were saving in nature. WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED? Elisha saved a community when they sought help, honoring him as prophet. Elisha cursed those who ridiculed his ministry and they suffered the consequences. God blesses those who seek him. God curses those who reject him. INTERPRETATION What is the author’s big idea? How we respond to spiritual leadership can bless us or imperil us. Just as recognizing the prophet was a means of saving or judgment, so too, recognizing who Jesus is results in saving or judgment. If we recognize Jesus and submit to him our lives, then we can be saved and have eternal life with him forever. But if we reject Jesus, for any reason, then we face only judgment. This was similar to what happened at Jericho and Bethel and the boys in our passage today with the prophet Elisha. Some recognized him as prophet, and their city was saved. Others rejected him, and they were condemned. APPLICATION 1. God Can Restore What Is Broken The waters at Jericho were unproductive and harmful, yet God used Elisha to bring healing and life. No situation is beyond God’s ability to redeem. What seems permanently damaged (relationships, careers, spiritual dryness) can be restored by His power. God often chooses simple means (like salt) to accomplish profound transformation. Application: Trust God with areas of your life that feel “contaminated” or fruitless. Ask him to bring renewal. 2. Obedience Positions Us for God’s Work Elisha didn’t question the method—he simply obeyed God’s direction to throw salt into the spring. God’s instructions may not always seem logical. Obedience often precedes visible results. Faithfulness in small acts can lead to large impact. Application: Act on what God has already shown you, even if it seems small or unusual. 3. Spiritual Authority Should Be Taken Seriously The mocking of Elisha at Bethel reflects a deeper rejection of God’s authority, not just disrespect toward a man. God’s messengers represent His truth and authority. Disrespect toward spiritual truth can lead to serious consequences. A culture of mockery toward what is sacred hardens the heart. Application: Cultivate respect for God, His Word, and those who faithfully communicate it. 4. Words and Attitudes Matter The youths’ taunting words (“Go up, you bald head!”) were not harmless—they revealed a posture of rebellion. Speech reflects the condition of the heart. Casual disrespect can grow into deeper spiritual resistance. What we say—and how we say it—has weight before God. Application: Be intentional about using words that honor rather than tear down, especially in spiritual matters. 5. God Is Both Merciful and Just This passage holds two contrasting truths: healing at Jericho and judgment at Bethel. God’s character includes both compassion and justice. His mercy brings restoration; His justice confronts rebellion. A balanced understanding of God leads to both comfort and reverence. Application: Embrace both the kindness and the holiness of God—respond with gratitude, humility, and reverence.

Many Christians believe that pursuing our goals goes against certain Christian beliefs and counteracts God’s plan for us. On the contrary – The scriptures encourage us to pursue our goals and achieve success. Consider these passages from the Bible: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” 1 Chronicles 4:10 “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.” The Promise of God In Jeremiah, God tells you there is a plan for you: a wonderful and unique plan. It’s a plan for success and joy. While that verse is written to Israel regarding their specific situation, He has a plan for all of us as His chosen people. His plan for you was put into place as He formed you in the womb: “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” Psalm 139:16 (NLT) Paul speaks of how God’s plan for you is good: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) And he confirms that God’s plans for you are not only good but pleasing and perfect in Romans 12:2: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” After reading all those scriptures, you have to ask yourself, “where did God plant that plan?” In your heart, of course! God has given you the desire to succeed in His plan for you and manifest His work in this world. The question is, “How do I find that plan?” Since God planted the plan in your heart, look in your heart. Look prayerfully and carefully. Ask God to give you ears to hear what the His Spirit has planted in your heart. It is easy to listen to what we want according to our flesh rather than His good, pleasing and perfect will. I had a man in our ministry that always had all these grand plans that he felt God was giving him. None of them ever came to pass. Nor were they confirmed by his gifts, talents, or abilities – His God-given makeup. One day in our conversations, I told him to consider that he may have a “hearing problem.” In other words, in His prayer life that He may not be truly listening to God but to self. Several years later, as his life went in directions he had never dreamed of, he came to me and reminded me of that comment. He said, “you were right; I had a hearing problem. I wasn’t listening to God.” That can happen to any of us. “God give us ears to hear what the Spirit is saying.” This is not something you are just dreaming up for selfish reasons. Consider James warning about doing this for ourselves: “Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” James 4:13–17 (NLT) Try these strategies to discover this plan: What is your passion? Your passion holds the dreams which God planted in your heart. Follow your passion. When you are living in God’s plan for you, it is the safest place to live. It is the most fulfilling and satisfying life that you could ever imagine. It may not be the most profitable financially or what the world would look at and consider success. But it is life in you and your days! Are you pushing it away? Is something lingering in your mind you're trying to avoid? Could you bring it to the forefront? Look at it. This may contain God's plan for you that your ego wants to avoid. Your ego is that part of you that wants your will, not God's. This is where James’ warning comes in not to be “boasting in our own pretentious plans.” Always ask, "What then?" Ask yourself, “Once I achieve that goal, what then would God want?” Keep asking "what then" until you have this profound confirmation from God that says, "That's it. That's the ultimate plan for my life." The path to get there may not be clear, but you know the direction He is leading. And as you follow His plan, “through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) Trust in God's Promise God's not going to give you the entire plan at once. After all, you might get scared if you discover all that God wants you to do and how He wants to use you. Especially when you begin to see the investment in time and energy, perhaps even the stretching of your faith to get to where He is leading you. He is such a gracious God that He shows us what we need to do next rather than all that is coming. Think about it; if you knew every difficulty you might encounter as you set off on vacation, you might not even leave the house. Because of this, we often feel that God doesn't seem to write or direct us with straight lines. It looks like the path may meander about. This is especially true the more you interject your own will. God then re-writes the way, and you're set again, heading toward the destination He had in mind from the beginning. The key is trusting that God has everything in hand, even when you can't see more than 10 feet in front of you. You often look back at those moments and see that your faith in Him grew the most. After all, this is a journey of faith. The Prayer of Jabez The prayer of Jabez is found in 1 Chronicles 4:10. “He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.” (NLT) While we don’t know a lot about Jabez, we see this short and to-the-point extraordinary, powerful prayer. And we see that God granted his request. Once you know the direction you're going, even if you only know the first step or two, let God know you're ready. Let Him know you are willing and want His plans to come to pass in your life. Tell him that you are giving yourself to Him as a “living sacrifice” in worship, as Paul speaks about in Romans 12:2. Consider these thoughts found in the prayer of Jabez: 1. Jabez asked God to "bless me and expand my territory." You can ask God to: Bless you with the wisdom, knowledge, and resources needed to accomplish His plan for you. Bless your ministry or business, so it expands in every way according to God's will for you. Bless your relationships so that they would honor Him and that you would always grow closer to Him and others. 2. Then Jabez requested, "Please be with me in all that I do…" Jesus promised: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, NLT) Thank Him for that truth. Ask Him to guide and direct you, inspire you, and let you know each next step. Tell God that you'll listen to His messages to you. Stay in communication with God through prayer and His Word. He will never lead you in a direction against His Written Word. 3. Lastly, Jabez asked, "… keep me from all trouble and pain!” Ask for God's protection in every area of your life - for you, your family, and your business. Jesus said it this way: “And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:13 (NLT) It’s not that you won’t have any problems in this life; in fact, Jesus told us the contrary to be true as you follow Him and His plan: “here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NLT) In all this, we can have joy and peace instead of living with a troubled soul in pain and sorrow. Implied in your request is that your actions will be according to God's Word. Again, the words of Jesus: “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” Matthew 6:10 (NLT). There is a very different and difficult pain that comes with the choice to sin. To live a plan that is self-made, outside of God’s “good, pleasing, and perfect plan” that He has for us. We have all experienced this. God wants to spare us from continuing to live in and experience this pain and sorrow. 4. Then, you're told that God granted his request. God promised through Jeremiah that He has plans for you: "… plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Since God is the one who created you with a plan, His plan, it makes sense that as the creator of the universe, all-powerful, almighty God, He makes a way to grant your request for His will to come to pass. When you’re living God's plan for you and asking for His assistance, the goals you set will be according to that plan. Your goals are God's goals for you. You can crush those goals and all your future ones with His strength, guidance, and leadership.

Proverbs 29:18 emphasizes the importance of having a clear sense of direction and purpose in life, stating that "where there is no vision, the people perish." However, it's important to note that a vision cannot be brought to life without individuals willing to obey. The second half of the verse explains that "whoever obeys the law is joyful," highlighting the joy that comes from taking action to fulfill a vision. In this blog, we will explore the power of obedience in unlocking vision and how it can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life. Start with a "Yes" to God. When we think of vision, it's essential to understand that it's not just about seeing what could be. A vision is a call to action, a task that must be completed. Let's consider this: would a wise and loving God impart a vision to someone who had no intention of obeying it? It's highly unlikely. God knows us intimately, including our strengths, weaknesses, and intentions. He knows whether we will follow through with the tasks he assigns us. Therefore, if we're finding it difficult to discern a clear vision for our lives, we must examine our hearts and willingness to obey. We must ask ourselves: "Am I receptive to the changes this vision might require? Am I prepared to obey God's guidance, no matter where it leads me?" Only when we are truly ready to say 'yes' to these questions are we ready to receive and fulfill God's vision for our lives. "Yes" must be built on trust. The word "Yes" is based on trust. It's difficult for most of us to obey someone else's plans for our lives as we prefer to be in control. However, when it comes to obeying God, trust becomes essential. We must remember that our Heavenly Father always has our best interests. He knows what we need even before we ask for it (Matthew 6:8). C.S. Lewis once said: "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." Trusting in God's plan and purpose allows us to see things from His perspective. With this newfound trust, we can confidently and courageously say 'yes' to God's vision. When we trust in God, we can surrender our plans and desires and fully commit to His will. This act of obedience allows us to enter into a deeper level of intimacy with Him, where we can better understand His vision for us and receive the strength and guidance we need to fulfill it. Understanding Proverbs 29:18 in reverse Let's revisit the beginning of this blog: "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18a KJV). When we apply what we've discussed about obedience and flip it around, it becomes "without people willing to obey; there will be no vision." In other words, visions cannot come to fruition without individuals who are open to God's plan and purpose for their lives and willing to follow through with it obediently. The power of obedience is not just about fulfilling a task or achieving a goal. It is about aligning ourselves with God's perfect will for our lives. When we choose obedience, we allow God to work through us to bring His plans to life. It's easy to get caught up in our plans and desires, but the truth is that without obedience to God's will, there can be no true vision for our lives. We may come up with our ideas and goals, but without obedience, they will never truly align with God's plan for us. As we continue our faith journey, let us remember the power of saying "yes" to God and trusting His perfect plan for our lives. Let us be willing to obediently follow Him wherever He leads us so that we can see His visions brought to life. Cultivating Obedience within the Church: Guiding Towards Vision As spiritual leaders, it's our responsibility to guide our congregations toward obedience to God's will. This helps us to steer them towards His vision effectively. To cultivate a culture of obedience within our churches, we can implement the following strategies: Proclaim the Word: The Bible is our ultimate guidebook for obedience. Regular preaching and teaching from it will provide clear instructions on how to live according to God's will. We should encourage our people to study the Bible personally and provide resources to aid them on this journey. Model Obedience: Our actions speak louder than words. As leaders, we must live out the obedience we preach. When members of our congregations see us living in obedience to God, it encourages them to do the same. Foster a Spirit of Humility: Obedience requires humility - acknowledging that God's way is superior to ours. We should cultivate humility in our churches by acknowledging our dependence on God and praising Him for His wisdom and guidance. Encourage a Prayerful Life: Prayer is our direct line of communication with God. We should encourage our congregation to pray daily, asking for God's guidance and expressing their willingness to obey Him. Instilling a culture of obedience in our churches is crucial to leading our congregations toward God's vision. Often, we live in a leadership culture that prioritizes vision over obedience, which can lead to disappointment. However, we should flip that around and start obediently, trusting God to reveal His vision for our lives. By doing so, we can experience the fullness and abundance of living a life obedient to our Heavenly Father. Saying 'yes' to Him every day and following His path opens the way for His will to be done, His kingdom to come, and His vision to be fulfilled. We must guide our people in obedience as we progress towards God's glorious vision. Without obedient people, God's vision will perish. Therefore, let us cultivate a culture of obedience in our churches, trusting in God to reveal His vision for our lives. By doing so, we can bring His visions to life and experience the fullness of joy that comes from living a life of obedience to our Heavenly Father.

The well-known scripture 'without a vision, the people perish' is a testament to the powerful impact that clarity of vision can have on any institution, organization, or ministry. As ministry leaders, our efforts should be in sync with the mission of Jesus, consistently striving for spiritual clarity and divine guidance for the vision of our ministry. The Tremendous Benefits of Clarity in Vision: A clear vision has an array of benefits for leaders and followers alike. Here are some of the most significant advantages of having a well-defined vision: 1. Unity in Pursuit: Nothing unites people more than a common, clear vision. When everyone understands the collective goal, it eliminates confusing efforts, strengthening the ministry in the process. 2. Optimal Resource Allocation: With clarity of vision, your ministry can ensure the right priorities are receiving the proper attention, resources, and energy necessary for successful outcomes. 3. Preventing Mission Drift: A crystal-clear vision provides a framework that keeps the ministry's core values intact and prevents unforeseen distractions from derailing its goals. 4. Reducing Frustration: A defined vision helps maintain the morale of volunteers and staff by providing them with a sense of direction and purpose, thereby reducing frustration and confusion. Guiding Steps for Leaders to Foster Clarity in Vision: Here are some actionable steps that ministry leaders can take to develop and maintain a clear vision for the success of their ministry: 1. Communicate the Vision Regularly: Be vocal about your ministry's vision whenever you speak to your congregation, be it sermons, meetings, or casual conversations; repetition is key. 2. Use Vision as a Decision-Making Filter: Your vision should guide every decision you make. Before taking any significant action, ask yourself if it aligns with the vision you have set forth for the ministry. 3. Stay the Course: Don't get sidetracked or lose focus of your vision. It's easy to give up when challenges arise, but as a leader, it's your duty to ensure that you and your team stay true to the vision. 4. Delegate and Empower: A truly God-sized vision requires the involvement of others. Delegate responsibilities and hand over authority to your team members, inspiring them to play an active role in fulfilling the vision. 5. Seek God's Guidance Perpetually: Trusting in God is central to developing and maintaining a clear vision. Pray for guidance and wisdom in all aspects of the ministry, and allow God to show you the way toward a vibrant and successful future on an ongoing basis. The tremendous power of clarity in vision should not be underestimated. It serves as the cornerstone of effective leadership in Ministry, galvanizing your congregation and fostering a community of devoted, vision-driven individuals. By taking the guiding steps mentioned above, you will be well on your way to realizing this power and achieving the divine goals set forth by your ministry's vision.

Reaching those far from Jesus is one of the most important ways to invest in the future of the Church, but it can also be challenging. Evangelism is a significant part of the mission that Jesus left us with. Therefore, not only do you have to keep the passion of evangelism stoked within your heart continually, but we also need to train and compel those we lead to live out the mission of Jesus. The good news is that there are as many ways to make evangelism a crucial part of our Church and ministry as there are different gifts and personalities. It is not one size fits. Instead, evangelism is an excellent way to build a valuable community without the stress that we often think comes with it. Of course, just like any part of being successful in following Jesus and ministry, you will still need an effective strategy. So, keep these tips in mind for effective evangelism in 2023 and share them with others to broaden its effective reach. 1. Decide Where You Can Be The Most Effective Probably the most important part of building a successful evangelism mindset into our hearts and the heart of our church is to see where we, as individuals, can be most effective. This becomes a part of a prayerful strategy to seek opportunities to build relationships and ultimately share faith with those far from God. As a pastor, I always seek connections outside my church to be evangelistic. My channels of effective evangelism have changed with each season of my life. When my kids were younger, they were on the sidelines of sporting or school events. One of my passions is art, in particular painting, so now I have found gatherings of artists to be one of my places to be effective. It could be the golf course, work, neighborhood gatherings, and the list goes on and on with as much variety as our lives are lived out in areas of different interest. 2. Connect with the Right People It’s easy to think that “everybody” is the right person. And ultimately, that is true. However, I will reach some people that others simply will not, and vice versa. Being willing to be evangelistic in any situation is essential. That’s part of having a servant’s heart, a passionate heart for those far from Jesus. However, the reality is that we all run in different circles of influence. For instance, my heart is to reach other artists. Most of the people in our church are not artists, so for them to want to focus on reaching artists is not a natural fit. They will not be able to go to workshops where artists gather or be in shows where artists submit work. You get the idea. So, as a pastor, I want to constantly speak about how each person in our church needs to connect with the right people and share their faith. It might be to say, “I want to build a relationship with everyone,” but you will probably reach no one with that mindset. 3. Focus on Industry Peers. Connecting with people you already have something in common is a solid start to building relationships where you can be evangelistic. For example, the common link of being in the same business or industry is a common head start. Keep an open mind about your relationships with everyone you encounter through your work environment. See them through as people God has put in your life for a reason. Ask Him to give you a passionate heart to reach them with the good news of Jesus. You might be surprised to discover how God will use you to make an eternal difference. When someone offers to introduce you to someone who thinks you could help in your business or help you, start praying about those connections from an evangelistic point of view first and foremost. 4. Make Evangelism (A passion for reaching people who are far from Jesus) a Regular Matter of Prayer. When you’re starting in anything, you spend time focusing on and developing skills. If you are going to be good at anything, you schedule a time to learn about it, and all that is happening in that area. You begin to consume content, look for it on social media, join forums, and participate in conversations. The most important conversation you can and should have about having a passion for reaching people far from Jesus is with Jesus. It is so easy to get busy interacting with people without prayerfully considering how God wants to use us to change their eternal lives. It’s easy to think about this as a church without considering the reality of the fact that the church as a whole is made up of us as individuals. The more you make evangelism a matter of prayer, the more likely God will open the door for you to connect with those ready to hear the good news of Jesus and want to strike up a conversation. 5. Invest In Relationships Regularly Suppose you’re going to grow in a relationship with those far from Jesus and allow God to open doors for you to share your faith. It would be best if you worked to connect with them through genuine friendship. You can’t expect to have the opportunity to talk about life transformational issues without genuinely investing in the relationship first. The more you invest in relationships, the more you’ll learn that people want to connect with you as you care about them. So look for opportunities to be helpful to those you are investing in a relationship with. The key word here is “invest.” We are investing in others for the sake of eternity. Keep Working on It God wants us to reach people who are far from Jesus passionately. We don’t have to pray about whether that is true. He gives us this as His plan throughout scripture. I’m so grateful for those who were passionate about reaching me when I was far from Jesus. God plans that we continue to do the same. Of course, you won’t always be an instant success or see the outcome you want. But this is, after all, about our hearts and our obedience. Only God, through His Spirit, can transform lives. My part is to keep the passion burning, the passion that sent Jesus to the cross. This must be the passion of The Church!

Many Christians believe that pursuing our goals goes against certain Christian beliefs and counteracts God’s plan for us. On the contrary – The scriptures encourage us to pursue our goals and achieve success. Consider these passages from the Bible: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” 1 Chronicles 4:10 “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.” The Promise of God In Jeremiah, God tells you there is a plan for you: a wonderful and unique plan. It’s a plan for success and joy. While that verse is written to Israel regarding their specific situation, He has a plan for all of us as His chosen people. His plan for you was put into place as He formed you in the womb: “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” Psalm 139:16 (NLT) Paul speaks of how God’s plan for you is good: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) And he confirms that God’s plans for you are not only good but pleasing and perfect in Romans 12:2: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” After reading all those scriptures, you have to ask yourself, “where did God plant that plan?” In your heart, of course! God has given you the desire to succeed in His plan for you and manifest His work in this world. The question is, “How do I find that plan?” Since God planted the plan in your heart, look in your heart. Look prayerfully and carefully. Ask God to give you ears to hear what the His Spirit has planted in your heart. It is easy to listen to what we want according to our flesh rather than His good, pleasing and perfect will. I had a man in our ministry that always had all these grand plans that he felt God was giving him. None of them ever came to pass. Nor were they confirmed by his gifts, talents, or abilities – His God-given makeup. One day in our conversations, I told him to consider that he may have a “hearing problem.” In other words, in His prayer life that He may not be truly listening to God but to self. Several years later, as his life went in directions he had never dreamed of, he came to me and reminded me of that comment. He said, “you were right; I had a hearing problem. I wasn’t listening to God.” That can happen to any of us. “God give us ears to hear what the Spirit is saying.” This is not something you are just dreaming up for selfish reasons. Consider James warning about doing this for ourselves: “Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” James 4:13–17 (NLT) Try these strategies to discover this plan: What is your passion? Your passion holds the dreams which God planted in your heart. Follow your passion. When you are living in God’s plan for you, it is the safest place to live. It is the most fulfilling and satisfying life that you could ever imagine. It may not be the most profitable financially or what the world would look at and consider success. But it is life in you and your days! Are you pushing it away? Is something lingering in your mind you're trying to avoid? Could you bring it to the forefront? Look at it. This may contain God's plan for you that your ego wants to avoid. Your ego is that part of you that wants your will, not God's. This is where James’ warning comes in not to be “boasting in our own pretentious plans.” Always ask, "What then?" Ask yourself, “Once I achieve that goal, what then would God want?” Keep asking "what then" until you have this profound confirmation from God that says, "That's it. That's the ultimate plan for my life." The path to get there may not be clear, but you know the direction He is leading. And as you follow His plan, “through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) Trust in God's Promise God's not going to give you the entire plan at once. After all, you might get scared if you discover all that God wants you to do and how He wants to use you. Especially when you begin to see the investment in time and energy, perhaps even the stretching of your faith to get to where He is leading you. He is such a gracious God that He shows us what we need to do next rather than all that is coming. Think about it; if you knew every difficulty you might encounter as you set off on vacation, you might not even leave the house. Because of this, we often feel that God doesn't seem to write or direct us with straight lines. It looks like the path may meander about. This is especially true the more you interject your own will. God then re-writes the way, and you're set again, heading toward the destination He had in mind from the beginning. The key is trusting that God has everything in hand, even when you can't see more than 10 feet in front of you. You often look back at those moments and see that your faith in Him grew the most. After all, this is a journey of faith. The Prayer of Jabez The prayer of Jabez is found in 1 Chronicles 4:10. “He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.” (NLT) While we don’t know a lot about Jabez, we see this short and to-the-point extraordinary, powerful prayer. And we see that God granted his request. Once you know the direction you're going, even if you only know the first step or two, let God know you're ready. Let Him know you are willing and want His plans to come to pass in your life. Tell him that you are giving yourself to Him as a “living sacrifice” in worship, as Paul speaks about in Romans 12:2. Consider these thoughts found in the prayer of Jabez: 1. Jabez asked God to "bless me and expand my territory." You can ask God to: Bless you with the wisdom, knowledge, and resources needed to accomplish His plan for you. Bless your ministry or business, so it expands in every way according to God's will for you. Bless your relationships so that they would honor Him and that you would always grow closer to Him and others. 2. Then Jabez requested, "Please be with me in all that I do…" Jesus promised: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, NLT) Thank Him for that truth. Ask Him to guide and direct you, inspire you, and let you know each next step. Tell God that you'll listen to His messages to you. Stay in communication with God through prayer and His Word. He will never lead you in a direction against His Written Word. 3. Lastly, Jabez asked, "… keep me from all trouble and pain!” Ask for God's protection in every area of your life - for you, your family, and your business. Jesus said it this way: “And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:13 (NLT) It’s not that you won’t have any problems in this life; in fact, Jesus told us the contrary to be true as you follow Him and His plan: “here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NLT) In all this, we can have joy and peace instead of living with a troubled soul in pain and sorrow. Implied in your request is that your actions will be according to God's Word. Again, the words of Jesus: “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” Matthew 6:10 (NLT). There is a very different and difficult pain that comes with the choice to sin. To live a plan that is self-made, outside of God’s “good, pleasing, and perfect plan” that He has for us. We have all experienced this. God wants to spare us from continuing to live in and experience this pain and sorrow. 4. Then, you're told that God granted his request. God promised through Jeremiah that He has plans for you: "… plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Since God is the one who created you with a plan, His plan, it makes sense that as the creator of the universe, all-powerful, almighty God, He makes a way to grant your request for His will to come to pass. When you’re living God's plan for you and asking for His assistance, the goals you set will be according to that plan. Your goals are God's goals for you. You can crush those goals and all your future ones with His strength, guidance, and leadership. P.S. At One Voice Ministries we want to help you have the freedom and time to reach the goals in your ministry that God has given you. The demands of the weekend service planning and preparation often takes over the big picture vision. We want to come alongside of you and your leadership team to give you back the time and energy you need to be the Pastor or Church leader you were created to be - crushing your God-given ministry goals. Schedule a time to talk today.

One of the most important jobs you have as a parent is to teach your children to pray. You want them to have a joyful and easy relationship with Jesus. You want them to be able to talk to Jesus about anything. For example, during his nightly prayers, Jason, age 5, pleaded with Jesus to help him be able to put his face in the water the next day during swimming lessons. Up to that point he had been terrified of doing so. Since swimming classes were part of the after-school program, his parents wouldn't be there during the lesson. When his mom picked him up, he jumped in the car and excitedly said, "Let's hurry and get home so I can tell Jesus how I put my face in the water. His mom grinned and responded, "Let's tell him right now." Helping Your Child Learn to Pray You teach your child this important skill through your own example! Let's look at these important steps: 1. Show them how you pray. They won't know how important prayer is if you don't show them. Show them how to integrate prayer throughout their day. Express gratitude before each meal. Give thanks for the meal and for anyone who had anything to do with bringing the meal to the table. Mention the cook and those who prepared the table. You can also go around the table and share something that happened that day for which each person is thankful. 2. Be with them to end each day with prayer. During this special time, guide them in ways to pray. Teach them to give thanks for what they're learning, the time they have to play, and the people in their lives. Share what you’re thankful for. What do they need help with? This can be school work, a teacher or peer they're having difficulty with, or putting their face in the water even when afraid. Model for them your own prayers for assistance. Who do they want to pray for? Once children get the hang of this, you'll hear them ask for blessings and help for parents, grandparents, friends, cats, dogs, and almost anyone. 3. Pray with them for healing. Bumps, bruises, and hurt feelings occur throughout the day. Teach them to ask God to heal them of these hurts. A powerful way to pray is to gather your family together and one at a time pray that God gives them all the love they needed that day but didn't receive. Rarely does anyone receive all the love they need. 4. Pray for forgiveness. During night prayers, when there is tension or harsh words, teach them how to ask God for forgiveness. This isn't a time to shame or embarrass them. Tell them they simply need to say, "Jesus, please forgive me for being mean to my sister." As difficult as it may be for you, use difficult situations for you to show them how to do this by praying. It can something as simple as, "Jesus, please forgive me for losing my temper with my children." 5. Teach them short prayers. Put "short prayers to teach children" in your internet search engine and you'll have a number of options. Of course, when they're old enough, teach them The Lord's Prayer or special verses from scripture. 6. Read them children's books about prayer. There are numerous books about prayer for children. Again, your search engine is your friend. 7. Bless them before they leave for their day. When you take a minute to send your child off to school with a blessing and then end the day with night prayers, you demonstrate how God is with them all day, every day. Praying is a skill that will benefit your children for the rest of their lives. Teaching them to pray will come easy to you if you have an active prayer life yourself. Use these ideas to get you going. Your children will pick up praying as a regular part of their daily routines.

The holiday season is upon us, and as church leaders, we need to remember the true meaning of ministry during this time. It can be easy to get caught up in the busyness of planning events and services to attract more people to attend our church, and we should. But in doing so, we may lose sight of what it truly means to be the church – being the hands and feet of Jesus. As we plan our holiday ministries, remember that it's not just about increasing attendance numbers or putting on a show. Our ultimate goal should be to change lives and impact our communities, to live out the mission and vision God has given us as His church found in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. And in order to do so, we must remain focused on being outwardly pointed in our ministries. Focusing solely on growing our attendance can inadvertently lead to a self-serving mindset, where the measure of success becomes about how many people we can draw within our church walls rather than how effectively we are reaching out to our communities. As important as church attendance is, we are called to be more than just a gathering of believers. We are called to be the church - to embody the teachings of Jesus, especially his acts of service, love, and generosity. These are the cornerstones of our Faith, the principles that should guide our actions during the holiday season and throughout the year. Christmas Offerings This brings me to the topic of special Christmas offerings. It's become a tradition for many churches to take up a special offering during this time, and it can be tempting to use this as an opportunity to fundraise for our own church needs. However, as leaders, I want to challenge you to consider using this offering for something bigger than ourselves. Let's follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve. Let's use this offering as a chance to meet a need within our community and be known as a generous church that reflects the love of Christ. At our church, we do this every year, and every year, I get nervous. The truth is that I often think about how we could sincerely use the money for budget and staff, and yet every year, we have met our goal and given away almost an entire month's worth of regular tithes and offerings. And every year, God blesses us as we do so and strengthens our church and its impact on the community. It's a powerful reminder that God is more concerned with our hearts and actions than our bank accounts. Generosity is a part of living as disciples. This commitment to outward generosity, rooted in the example of Jesus, profoundly affects our church community. As our members witness this intentional choice to give away our Christmas offerings, it stirs their hearts and minds. It fosters a culture of generosity that permeates beyond the church walls and into their daily lives. They learn of Jesus's generosity in the scriptures and see it in action within their church community. This experience has a transformative effect. It inspires them to live out this generosity, to share love and kindness with others just as Jesus did. It opens up opportunities for personal growth and spiritual development as they embrace and embody the principle of giving. It's a powerful testament to the fact that being the church is not just about attending a service but embodying the selfless love and generosity of Jesus in our everyday lives. This is the accurate measure of growth - not just in numbers but in the strength of our Faith and the depth of our commitment to serving our community. Generosity is a great witness. The Christmas season often draws new faces and visitors to our church, and their reactions to our unique approach to Christmas offerings have been remarkable. Many express surprise and even relief to discover a church that is truly dedicated to embodying the principles they preach. This outward focus and generosity genuinely move them, often leading them to reconsider the church's role. Several newcomers have shared that witnessing our commitment to serve and uplift the community has inspired them to engage actively in their faith. As a result, many have chosen to become regular members, not simply to attend services but to participate actively in our mission of being the hands and feet of Jesus. This response is a testament to the power of the church's efforts to extend beyond our walls and truly serve our community. A Tension managed by Faith As pastors, we face a unique tension, especially during the holiday season. We are acutely aware of our church's needs - the necessity to meet budgets, manage staff, and fund our ministries. These are legitimate needs that require attention and resources. However, the answer to these needs isn't always intuitive. It's not about holding tighter to what we have but letting go. The principle is counterintuitive, but it's consistent with the teachings of Jesus and the nature of our Faith. Giving generously to our community meets immediate needs and plants seeds of faith, hope, and love. As we sow, we also reap; often, the harvest is far more than what we initially sowed, especially in the return of transformed lives. This balance and tension is a fundamental part of our calling as pastors. We are called to lead by action, to demonstrate Faith in action, and to trust that our needs will be met as we strive to meet the needs of others. Let's confront this tension head-on this holiday season, trusting in the counterintuitive wisdom of Jesus's teachings. As we approach this holiday season, remember the example of Jesus, who unconditionally poured out love and generosity. In doing so, as Pastors and church leaders, let's step out in Faith, focusing outward on our community and extending hands of service and generosity. As leaders, we're guiding a congregation and inspiring a movement beyond our church walls to impact our communities, cities, and world. Let us embody the essence of being the church - a beacon of love, service, and generosity - and trust in God's provision as we strive to make a difference. In this spirit of outward focus and selfless giving, we truly honor the teachings of Jesus and the essence of the celebration of God the Father sending His son.

Leadership is the key to success for any organization, and churches are no exception. To successfully lead your church forward with a vision of the future, you must have a clear picture of where you want to go and how you plan to get there. It's important that you cast a vision for both reaching the next generation and enlisting those who are older in your congregation. With their help and guidance, it will be possible to create an atmosphere of mentorship and leadership that can raise young people into adulthood, ready to take on the ministry's leadership, assuring the church will thrive for years. In order to lead your church into a brighter future, it's important to cast a vision for reaching the next generation and enlisting those who are older in your congregation. To do this successfully, you must focus on the following 4 actions: 1. Empower The Next Generation With Vision and Leadership Understand the importance of creating a vision for your church by empowering the Next Generation with Vision and Leadership. Leadership is essential for any organization to thrive, and a church is no different. A church needs strong leaders who can cast a clear vision and empower the next generation of believers to lead with purpose and passion. Understanding the importance of creating a vision for your church starts by empowering the next generation. Young people bring energy and enthusiasm to the church. They see things differently, think outside of the box, and can often find innovative solutions. When we engage young people in leading our churches forward, they’re more likely to be committed for the long haul and buy into a greater vision for the future. Create a culture of growth, learning, and support throughout your church. Provide opportunities for young people to take ownership of projects or initiatives; show them they’re valuable church community members. Encourage open communication between leaders of different ages so everyone can be heard. It’s also important for us as church leaders to provide young people with the right guidance and support. Invite seasoned believers to mentor young people in the church and share their wisdom with them. Model faithfulness, prioritize relationships, and lead by example. Finally, remember the importance of casting vision for the next generation. Share your passion and enthusiasm for what God is doing in your church. Be intentional about sharing stories of transformation that demonstrate how lives are being changed through your ministry efforts. Leaders come in all shapes, sizes, and ages; engage all levels of leadership for a brighter future for your church! Use the insights from experienced leaders as well as the energy of youth to create an environment where everyone can find purpose and growth in their walk with Jesus Christ. You can start this process by enlisting those who are older in your congregation to reach the next generation. These seasoned believers have wisdom and insight that can be invaluable for mentoring, leading, and raising up the younger generation. They can share stories from their own experiences and offer guidance on how best to lead with purpose. 2. Develop strategies to engage the next generation Engaging the next generation is essential for any church to remain dynamic and vibrant. Developing strategies that reach out to young people and encourage their involvement in the life of the church is key for ongoing growth. By cultivating a culture of community, trust, and belonging among young churchgoers, leaders can create an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. Creating age-appropriate activities such as youth groups, Sunday school programs, or summer camps will help provide valuable opportunities for younger generations to connect with one another and strengthen their relationship with God. Inviting young people to serve in leadership roles within the church can also be a great way to foster ownership and enthusiasm for the mission of your church. More than just those normal type ministries, involving youth in decision-making processes is especially important when it comes to long-term planning. Engaging them in conversations about their aspirations and ideas will not only help you understand their perspectives but also motivate them to be involved in charting a course for the future direction of your church. Equally crucial is investing in technology that meets the needs of today’s digitally savvy youth. This includes implementing social media platforms, streaming services, video conferencing tools, or other digital mediums that allow members of your congregation to stay connected regardless of location or circumstance. By developing strategies that engage the next generation, churches can ensure they remain relevant and vibrant over time. Investing time and resources into creating meaningful experiences for younger generations is key to fostering spiritual growth among believers of all ages. 3. Enlist older wiser members to mentor and lead the next generation Enlisting members of your congregation who are older, wiser, and more experienced to mentor and lead the next generation is a powerful tool for fostering spiritual growth among believers of all ages. These seasoned believers have wisdom and insight that can be invaluable in helping young people understand their purpose in life. Older members of the church can provide meaningful advice to younger generations during times of transition, such as starting a new job or making college decisions. When mentored by wise adults, young people gain valuable life skills that help them navigate their faith journey and prepare them for their future. These mentors can also help guide the next generation in establishing relationships with God and one another within the church community. They can assist in creating small groups of youth where they can discuss issues that are unique to young believers and nurture authentic relationships through honest conversations about faith. Older members of the church also provide a bridge between generations when it comes to understanding scripture and living out Christian doctrine. By teaching from an intergenerational perspective, these mentors help ensure that core values are preserved as time passes on from one generation to the next. Ultimately, enlisting older wiser members of your congregation to mentor and lead the next generation is essential for any church seeking long-term success. Investing time into cultivating mentor-mentee relationships ensures that beliefs are passed down faithfully and keeps churches relevant for years to come. 4. Create opportunities for the Next Generation to serve in leadership roles Creating opportunities for the Next Generation to serve in leadership roles is essential to ensure that the church remains vibrant and is capable of adapting to shifting cultural needs. By empowering young people with decision-making roles within the church, churches can gain valuable insight into youth culture that will keep them relevant in their communities. Having a strong presence of Next Generation leaders helps cultivate an atmosphere that encourages ownership, investment, and community building among members. Giving young people a voice in leading the church can also build confidence and strengthen relationships as they are given opportunities to practice their gifts and share their perspectives. Investing in training for Next Generation leaders is essential for ensuring successful leadership transitions over time. Developing programs such as mentoring or apprenticeships provide young leaders with the support systems necessary to navigate new responsibilities, become effective communicators, and learn invaluable life skills that will prepare them for future leadership roles. By entrusting young people with key decision-making roles within the church today, churches can ensure that core beliefs remain intact while providing a platform for growth and development among younger generations. The benefits of creating opportunities for Next Generation leaders are numerous: establishing an intergenerational bridge between today’s churchgoers and tomorrow’s believers; developing meaningful relationships among members; fostering spiritual growth; and ultimately positioning the church for long-term success. In conclusion, leading forward with your church requires a vision that bridges the gap between today’s and tomorrow’s believers. Enlisting older members of your congregation to mentor younger generations is essential for preserving core beliefs while providing invaluable life skills necessary for their future success. Additionally, creating opportunities for Next Generation leaders can help build confidence in young people and cultivate an atmosphere of ownership within the church community. Investing time into developing training programs such as mentoring or apprenticeships provides these leaders with the support systems needed to navigate new responsibilities, become effective communicators, and prepare for leadership roles down the road. Taking all of these factors into consideration will ensure long-term success in any church's mission moving forward.