A young minister in his early 20’s came to visit me recently. He spent most of our time together telling me how hard ministry is. I told him it’s not as hard as it might seem, just love the kids, give them the Word in a way that they can understand and remember and build a team. He then told me that building a team was the hardest one of those for him then rather than pick my brain, ask me how to build a team, look for tips he could apply he changed the subject. I think God sends people into our life to help us and teach us all the time but we are too busy complaining and saying what we can’t do that we don’t take advantage of the opportunies we have to learn. I would have stayed up all night with this young man, given him books, CD’s and coaching if he had pressed in and showed a hunger to learn. What opportunities to learn has God presented you that you missed out on because you weren’t looking to learn? Show up with questions and an agenda when God gives you learning opportunities. I’m always on the lookout for opportunities to learn. How about you?
Search
Latest Posts
RSSCategories
- Blog Updates (39)
- Blogroll (10)
- Communicating (19)
- Conflict (12)
- Culture (34)
- Encouragement (49)
- Events (14)
- Families (7)
- K! Magazine (4)
- Leadership (232)
- News (30)
- Random (96)
- Remarkable (7)
- Reviews (6)
- Super-Ultra-Amazing-Must-Read Book List (6)
- Technology (8)
- Uncategorized (33)
- Volunteers (25)
Thanks for passing on these words of wisdom Jim. It’s good stuff. I’ve heard my pastor preach 100 times “Every man is your teacher.” We can learn from everyone, but we have to stop, humble ourselves, and listen.
sometimes we “youngin’s” can feel like maybe we are already expected to know these things. of course that fear is absurd because how can we know if we have never encountered that particular problem?! however, i think often people refrain from asking due to these fears… irrational though they be. it really helps to promote an accessibility and willingness to be availible. i know i am much guilty of allowing my fears to control me in this area… i guess my point is: have patience, most likeley this young man does want your input, desperately, even. i do not know you, but thanks for being someone who is eager to mentor! my generation is in great need!
I met Dick Gruber in my 20’s by calling him on the phone and picking his brain. I think a quest for learning has nothing to do with age, I think it has everything to do with thirst to learn. I think we should be hungry to learn and be on the lookout for opportunities to learn always. My main objective when I went on the cruise in January was to meet Ryan and learn what I could from him because of what I had heard and saw in him. He’ll tell ya I sought him out. I do this with people all of ages. As I start ths new phase of ministry I’ve already picked the brain of over a dozen people that I think can help me learn from their experience and wisdom. I think it boils down to “how we think”
bj
you are absolutely correct when you say it boils down to “how we think” i did not mean to imply that is is only a generational thing. we have all heard the old addage “their is no such thing as a stupid question” which is ridiculous because their are stupid questions. however, the meaning behind that statement is very valuable. the underlying statement is “go ahead… ask anyway” in my opinion, bright people ask what are seemingly stupid questions and GET the answers!
ana, I too hold to the no dumb question rule and think that all questions are good and help people learn & grow. It’s the answers to familar & basic questions that sometimes get a dumb answer. I don’t want to give ny of those. “Ask away!”
bj
Love the post Bro Jim and I have been guilty of passing up who knows how many great chances at gaining wisdom during “divine encounters”.
It’s an issue that many, if not all of us deal with on some level…My level sadly enough was severe..
I’ve learned a lot by meeting with my Pastor. Early on I would just spew everything I knew like a volcano and then leave the meeting thinking why did I do that. I eventually started trying to say as little as possible but then I ran the risk of Pastor erupting with things the Lord had been talking to him about. Granted these were good things but I would usually hear them any way during sermons. I finally got a clue and started arriving at meetings with an agenda and questions I’d like to have answered. What a difference this has made!!!
Now if my Pastor moves me off my agenda I don’t get nervous about my agenda I just receive what he has for me. I always make 2 copies of my questions and agenda and what we don’t hit he now knows my needs and can address them in his timing.
I work in business to business sales for my tent maker occupation and I’ve found the easiest way to be successful on a sales call is to ask questions then shut your mouth and let the customer talk and actually listen to what they say instead of thinking about what you want to say next. Of course the right question at right time is vitally important.
I don’t think there are dumb questions but just like managing time how you manage questions during special meetings is important..
Wait…there are dumb questions but you have to be a reporter to ask them!!! If you’re a sports reporter the odds of asking a dumb question go up at least 33.3%…Such as after losing the Super Bowl asking “Can you describe how you felt when you lost the biggest game of your life here at the end of your career?”
Bro. Jim.
I am a very young Children’s pastor in my early 20’s and I wanted to say that I appreciate your concept of Love Kids, Teach The Word, and Build a Team. I attended Dream this year and it changed the way that I think about ministry. I believe that building a team is very crucial. This is something every one of us needs to learn. Thanks for all your inderict mentoring. I try never to pass up those times when I can learn something from someone else where i am “supposed” to know it or not. Someone else always has ideas bigger and better than mine.
Thank You.
Thanks TJ
Today I drove to Fayetteville,AR to run some things by a dear pastor friend and pick the brain of his wife who happens to be a life coach. Learning is always worth a special trip, or a few hour drive. It’s always worth the effort. Keep it up.
bj
WayWeSeeIt Gang: thanks for starting the blog, though it has been going on for while. I am relatively new to CM, but have enjoyed gleaning information from several of you guys. Keep it up.
Over the last 3 years I have been in the InMinistry program from Bethel Seminary and have enjoyed learning while earning my Graduate degree. We have even read several of Bro Jim’s books. I have done more reading in these last 3 years than I had in a loooong time.
God Bless,
Dean
http://www.anchorchildrensministry.blogspot.com
http://www.fjif.blogspot.com