Pastors

THE TOP-10 “LAST WORDS IN YOUR CHURCH”

Pastoral lines you may not be around long enough to regret.

Sometimes words have to be eaten. Other times, they turn out to have teeth that bite. From an unscientific sampling of a few contributing editors, LEADERSHIP offers here the most frequent phrases in ministry that become preludes to a fast farewell.

10. I think I’ve earned the right to say this.

9. Thank you for the unanimous vote of confidence.

8. We’ll incorporate a seeker sensitive approach into our present worship service.

7. In ancient Israel, the people danced before the Lord.

6. Recently, I’ve been reading about the importance of publicly confessing your own sins, so today …

5. I’ll show the church secretary who’s boss around here!

4. I’m sure I can trust you to keep this confidential.

3. Then there are no hard feelings, right?

2. I’m sure Mrs. Jones will agree that she’s been our organist long enough.

1. They need to realize this kitchen belongs to everyone.

Copyright © 1993 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.

Also in this issue

The Leadership Journal archives contain over 35 years of issues. These archives contain a trove of pastoral wisdom, leadership skills, and encouragement for your calling.

WRAPPING UP A LONG PASTORATE

ANIMAL INSTINCTS

PEOPLE IN PRINT

ICONS EVERY PASTOR NEEDS

WHY WON’T I PRAY WITH MY WIFE?

TIME TRACKING

REGARDING RESULTS

GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD PASTORS

FROM THE EDITORS

KEEPING CONNECTED TO SPIRITUAL POWER

THE POWER OF COMMUNION

STORIES FOR THOSE WHO MOURN

10 Reasons Not to Resign

IDEAS THAT WORK

TESTS OF A LEADER’S CHARACTER

IDEAS THAT WORK

COMEBACK

THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE

A STRUCTURE RUNS THROUGH IT

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

MINISTERIAL BUNIONS

A GREAT PLAINS MINISTRY

CONTENDING FOR THE TRUTH...IN CHURCH PUBLICITY

FROM THE EDITORS

WHEN NOT TO CONFRONT

ZONED OUT

THE LANDMARK SERMON

WHEN TO SPEAK IN PUBLIC

The Unique Network of a Small Church

GOING TO YOUR LEFT

HOW PASTORS PRACTICE THE PRESENCE

CLOSE UP

TO VERIFY

A CLEARER CALL FOR COMMITMENT

ADDING BREADTH AND DEPTH

WHEN'S IT'S A SIN TO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS

SUCCEEDING A PATRIARCH

WEIGHING THOSE WEDDING INNOVATIONS

PASTORING STRONG-WILLED PEOPLE

Case Study: The Entrenched and Ineffective Worker

A WOUNDED PASTOR'S RESCUE

THE SLY SABOTEUR

TO VERIFY …

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW

CLASSIC CREATIVITY

MAKING SENSE OF THE TRAUMA

Standing in the Crossfire

BENEFITS OF AN INTENTIONAL INTERIM

THE BACK PAGE

WARS YOU CAN'T WIN

UNLIKELY ALLIES

THE HIGH-TURNOVER SMALL CHURCH

Handing Your Baby to Barbarians

TO ILLUSTRATE…

PEOPLE IN PRINT

TO VERIFY…

ARE PASTORS ABUSED?

BUILDING YOUR ALL-VOLUNTEER ARMY

HEART TO HEART PREACHING

HIDDEN EFFICIENCIES OF PRAYER

IDEAS THAT WORK

WHEN YOU TAKE A PUBLIC STAND

REKINDLING VISION IN AN ESTABLISHED CHURCH

WAYS TO SHAKE OFF THE DUST

WHAT’S DRAMA DOING IN CHURCH?

THE DANGER OF DETAILS

THE BACK PAGE

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

SQUEEZE PLAY AT HOME

A POWERFUL PRESENCE

PRACTICING THE ORIGINAL PASSION

MAKING PEACE IN A WAR ZONE

THE WELL-FED IMAGINATION

RAISING YOUR CREATIVITY QUOTIENT

LET THERE BE WIT & WISDOM, WEEKLY

TO ILLUSTRATE

THE PREVENT DEFENSE

FROM THE EDITORS

THE BACK PAGE

SAINTWATCHING

CAN YOU TEACH AN OLD CHURCH NEW TRICKS?

Spiritual Disciplines for the Undisciplined

BREAKING THE GRUMBLERS’ GRIP

WHEN YOUR CHILDREN PAY THE PRICE

THE CONCILIATION CAVALRY

DANCING WITH DEFEAT

IDEAS THAT WORK

THE TIGHTER ZONING DEFENSES

BUSTING OUT OF SERMON BLOCK

PEOPLE IN PRINT

How to Spend the Day in Prayer

REVERSING CHURCH DECLINE

THE JOY OF INEFFICIENT PRAYER

IF YOU HAVE A GRIPE, PRESS 2

CULTIVATING CLOSENESS

WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE A FOREIGNER

BAPTISM IN A COFFIN

SONGS THAT FIT THE FLOW

FROM THE EDITORS

THE QUEST FOR CONTENTMENT

THE CUTTING-EDGE TRADITIONAL CHURCH

CAN SERVANTS SAY NO?

PEOPLE IN PRINT

THE BACK PAGE

CARING FOR THE CONFUSED

A MODEL WORSHIP SET

WIRING YOURSELF FOR LIGHTNING

A Pastor's Quarrel with God

DIAGNOSING YOUR HEART CONDITION

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