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Clergy Health and Vitality February 26, 2008

Posted by danpiet in Uncategorized.
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The internet has produced a resource explosion.  It seems like the challenge is finding the time to sift and sort through a mountain of material for what might be most useful for a given focus.  When it comes to the emotional health and vitality of pastors and clergy couples Peter Scazzero, author of “The Emotionally Healthy Church” provides a web site with useful and user-friendly resources.  Below is the link.

http://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/about/articles.asp

Peter was a well received Midwinter Conference workshop presenter a few years ago.

Invisible Leadership February 25, 2008

Posted by danpiet in General News, Interesting Articles, Leadership Development.
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There are a growing number of books being written about “invisible” leadership – some backed by research. I have not yet worked may way through enough of these materials to have created a firm personal opinion. But I was intrigued that Duke University’s Sustaining Pastoral Excellence newsletter included an article on this topic for church leaders. Although there is much to challenge in this article, there is also much to consider. So the link is below if you would like to take a look!

http://www.divinity.duke.edu/programs/spe/articles/200802/1.html

Reflections On Excellence In Ministry February 13, 2008

Posted by danpiet in General News, Health, Interesting Articles.
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Reflections On Excellence In Ministry

Faithful To The Call

 

A report on consultations by the Fund for Theological Education named 10 attributes of an excellent minister. These attributes highlight what was heard from ministers participating in the FTE consultations on Excellence in Ministry. The list is not intended to be exhaustive nor exclusive, but it does highlight attributes of excellence worth reflecting on.

  1. Excellence ministers believe what they are proclaiming. Excellent ministers remain captivated by the story of the Gospel and cannot leave it alone.
  2. Excellent ministers love their communities.
  3. Excellent ministers display agility, flexibility and grace under pressure.
  4. Excellent ministers know how to ask the right questions.
  5. Excellent ministers are courageous.
  6. Excellent ministers lead with strength and humility. Excellent ministers . . . are compelling people with a remarkabl capacity to turn attention away from themselves and lift up the work of Christ.
  7. Excellent ministers know their limits. To be persuasive in their Christian witness, ministers must cultivate a strong sense of self-awareness.
  8. Excellent ministers have thriving imagination.
  9. Excellent ministers embrace lifelong learning.
  10. Excellent ministers mentor.

This list did not provide precise definition for each of these attributes. However, the list does add to the dialog of excellence.

Sermons Most Likely To Succeed February 4, 2008

Posted by danpiet in Preaching, Uncategorized.
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Sermons Most
Likely to Succeed
Do sermons actually change beliefs
and behavior? An ongoing study
reveals hard facts.
BY LORI CARRELL
New research is discovering the characteristics of sermons that
create lasting impact. The investigation began with surveys and
interviews contrasting listener and pastor perspectives in 102
churches across the country.
A central finding of the research to date is that listeners
value preaching, asserting that the sermon is the component of
the church service most likely to impact their spiritual growth.
In fact, listeners love their preachers (more…)