Saturday, June 6, 2015

Asia-Pacific Regional Communications of The Global Church of the Nazarene for Friday, June 5, 2015 Volume 3 / Issue Number 23 ATR News...New PNC President Announced, Solar Power in the Highlands of PNG, Get Your Personalized WMB Greetings, Leadership Overload, Prayer Requests, Praise Reports, and Much More!

Asia-Pacific Regional Communications of The Global Church of the Nazarene for Friday, June 5, 2015 Volume 3 / Issue Number 23 ATR News...New PNC President Announced, Solar Power in the Highlands of PNG, Get Your Personalized WMB Greetings, Leadership Overload, Prayer Requests, Praise Reports, and Much More!



In This Issue

Nazarene News from Around the Globe
NMI Highlight

June Focus - World Mission Broadcast ~ World Mission Broadcast (WMB) and Nazarene Missions International (NMI) have a long history of partnership.
The annual offering for WMB remains as one of the offerings NMI officially supports. The offering provides resources that reach millions of people around the world with the Gospel.
The current World Mission Broadcast ministry statistics are:

"Developing Leaders" by Stan Toler
HOW TO DEAL WITH A BAD BOSS
5 Ways to Cope with the Worst Boss Ever
A friend of mine loves to talk about the worst boss he ever had. His boss was the manager of a factory where he worked part time while a student. His boss apparently believed that the best way to motivate people was by yelling at them, and that everything that went wrong was their fault-including the weather.
Have you ever had a lousy boss? Nearly everyone has, or will. Blogger Michael Hyatt has identified the Top-10 Characteristics of Lousy Leaders. See if you've ever worked for someone who exhibited one or more of these traits:
  1. They don't have enough confidence to lead at their level.
  2. They're arrogant, assuming they always know what's best.
  3. They're disorganized.
  4. Their words and actions erode trust, even with their supporters.
  5. They over-promise and under-deliver.
  6. They don't articulate a clear vision.
  7. They don't enroll others in their initiatives.
  8. They're not transparent.
  9. They're blind to what's happening in their own organizations.
  10. They don't hold people accountable-especially themselves.Whether it's ignorance, insecurity, incompetence-or some combination of the three-some people simply are not able to lead well in their current position. And these bosses can make your life miserable.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom quips, "The wrong boss can make even the ideal job a holy terror. The wrong boss can make you wake up in a cold sweat, make you dread the alarm clock, make you question your self-worth and even contemplate some things you never thought you'd do."
If you find yourself working for someone like that, there are better ways to cope than just hiding in the back room. Here are some things I've learned over the years about dealing with a lousy boss.
1. Be Straightforward.
If you are being unfairly treated, say so. Nobody deserves to be yelled at or blamed for things they haven't done. Stand up for yourself, even if it means you might get fired.
2. Be Diligent.
Having a bad boss is no excuse for being a poor employee. Always do your best, even if you feel that your employer does not deserve it. Remember, you ultimately work for the Lord, not your supervisor.
3. Bring a Good Attitude.
The boss's bad attitude can infect the workplace like a poison. But you can bring the antidote in the form of smiles, optimism, and encouragement.
4. Don't Accept the Boss's Judgment.
Your employer may not approve of you or the work you do, but they are not your ultimate judge. Do your best. Keep a clear conscience, and maintain your self-esteem. Don't allow people you don't respect to make you disrespect yourself.
5. Remember that No Job Lasts Forever.
And neither does a boss. Jobs and bosses come and go. Consider this a season in your life, and learn what you can from it.
You will have many bosses in your life, no doubt. And you will also be a leader in your home, your work, and your community. What can you do to become a better employee-and a better boss?[Stan Toler]
Share The Story!

Regional Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Asia-Pacific Region


Free Personalized Greetings to Your Church, Faith Promise Gathering, or NMI Convention, from the World Mission Broadcast Team.

Would you like an exciting way to promote World Mission Broadcast Ministries?
Hear Nazarene broadcasters from around the globe, tell your people the latest news, stories of lives transformed, and ways to pray for WMB in a
"Personalized WMB Audio Greeting." Hear the team greet your church and congregation by name! These greetings are a perfect way to bring the voice of WMB into the midst of your church service, Faith Promise gathering, or NMI convention.
Follow this link to the email address to order, and tell us specifically who the greetings should be made out to, for example: "To the congregation of the Deer Park Church of the Nazarene, Pastor Don Swinson, and NMI President Grace Smith."
Click this link for a sample of the
personalized greetings!
Follow this link for more World Mission Broadcast Resources!
Update on the Power of the Sun in sharing the Message of the Son!
Highlands of Papua New Guinea

Back in April of 2015, we reported on the excitement in the highlands as the Rural Health Services program of Nazarene Health Ministries, was taking yet another step toward sharing the news of God's Son to the people of the Highlands.
Message of the Son, Power of the Sun, and You...What do these three things have in common?
This week we are excited to bring an update on this project! The first part of the project was to have our visiting missionary friend, Bill Wright (an Electrical Engineer who has helped Kudjip many times before) come and install the first solar system in Dusin. He took along with him, Nazarene Missionary Tim Deuel, who himself is an electrical lineman. Tim has done a lot of work on the mission house at Dusin and will be able to help make future adjustments or repairs to the system at the new clinic.BLOG, CURRENT, FEATURE, MEDICAL MINISTRY, MELANESIA SOUTH PACIFIC, NEWS
UPDATE ON THE POWER OF THE SUN IN SHARING THE MESSAGE OF THE SON!
Highlands of Papua New Guinea: Back in April of 2015, we reported on the excitement in the highlands as the Rural Health Services program of Nazarene Health Ministries, was taking yet another step toward sharing the news of God’s Son to the people of the Highlands.Message of the Son, Power of the Sun, and You...What do these three things have in common?
This week we are excited to bring an update on this project! The first part of the project was to have our visiting missionary friend, Bill Wright (an Electrical Engineer who has helped Kudjip many times before) come and install the first solar system in Dusin. He took along with him, Nazarene Missionary Tim Deuel, who himself is an electrical lineman. Tim has done a lot of work on the mission house at Dusin and will be able to help make future adjustments or repairs to the system at the new clinic.
A view of the Dusin area from the MAF airplane.
It was difficult to get flights to Dusin. Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) is very busy helping missions like ours reach remote areas. This trip was even more complicated because of the small airstrip at Dusin, (which is high in the mountains and often obscured by clouds), as well as the heavy load of the solar panel, batteries, and inverters. We praise the Lord for working out the flights at the last minute and for good weather to get the team and all of the equipment safely in and out.
Traditional hut and kids in the Dusin area.
The solar panels are now installed. This will run lights and a vaccine refrigerator along with providing excess capacity for future expansion. This will allow us to, for the first time, reliably provide immunizations in this area along with other clinical services. These services open the doors for us to be able to tangibly demonstrate that our Lord, through the hands of the Church, personally cares about them.Rural Nazarene Health Ministries - Much More Than Medicine - Souls for the Kingdom!
Issach with CBHC Teaching at Dusin
Issach, a nursing officer with Community Based Health Care (CBHC) was also able to go and hold a three-day training with pastors and others in the area who have already begun CBHC training. Had Issach not been able to go, these highlanders would have had to travel for several hours on foot along mountain trails, in order to receive this training.
For more information on how you can be an ongoing part of this vital solar project – Follow This Link.
For more information on Nazarene Health Ministries – Follow This Link.[Submitted: Dr. Scott Dooley]
Click here to read how this project is moving forward!
Philippine Nazarene College Elects New President.
Benguet, Philippines
The Philippine Nazarene College (PNC) is pleased to announce the election of Rev. Marcos Eugenio as the new PNC president, effective June 1, 2015.

Mark, as his family, friends and colleagues fondly call him, is still overwhelmed with the recent announcement.
"I did not dream of becoming president," said Mark.
He now remembers the time when he applied for a teaching position at PNC back in 1999, where a theology professor told him, "Why are you applying for a teaching position? Apply for presidency!" Even then, Mark already showed potential to lead. Fast forward to 16 years after the shared anecdote, the theology professor's statement became true.BLOG, CURRENT, EDUCATION, EVENTS, FEATURE, NEWS, PHILIPPINE-MICRONESIA
PHILIPPINE NAZARENE COLLEGE ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT
Benguet, Philippines: The Philippine Nazarene College (PNC) is pleased to announce the election of Rev. Marcos Eugenio as the new PNC president, effective June 1, 2015.

Mark, as his family, friends and colleagues fondly call him, is still overwhelmed with the recent announcement.
“I did not dream of becoming president,” said Mark.
He now remembers the time when he applied for a teaching position at PNC back in 1999, where a theology professor told him, “Why are you applying for a teaching position? Apply for presidency!” Even then, Mark already showed potential to lead. Fast forward to 16 years after the shared anecdote, the theology professor’s statement became true.
PNC has always been a home to Mark. He is an alumni of the college (it was called Luzon Nazarene Bible College back then), where he finished a degree in Theology. He also worked there as an instructor in Bible and Theology for eight years.

His passion for education and discipleship became more evident in his chosen ministries. He served as a pastor in three churches, and took the role of a teacher when he became an instructor at PNC and a part-time assistant professor at University of Eastern Pangasinan and World Citi College Aeronautical & Technological College.
In 2012, Mark began serving at the Philippine Field Office as the Field Education Coordinator (FEC) for the program called Philippine Theological Education by Extension for Nazarenes (PhilTEEN). As FEC, he represented the Philippine Field in the Regional Course of Study Advisory Committee (RCOSAC) in 2013, where the goal was to develop the regional Sourcebook on Ordination (SOO) and establish validation procedures for the ministerial educational programs in the region.
It was also in the year 2013 that Mark was appointed as District Superintendent (DS) for the Southern Tagalog district. As DS, Mark brought significant changes to the district. He strengthened district fellowship, reorganized district auxiliaries and realigned local and district activities. He developed leaders, sending pastors to workshops and training seminars to improve and modernize their methods of running their respective churches.
Rev. Eugenio empowered other pastors by reviving the zone system led by coordinators, functioning as “little DS’s”. He continued to challenge local pastors to create and focus on continuous discipleship programs, not just one-time events that have little or no opportunity of follow-through. He started the very first Camp Meeting, which focuses on passion for God and the Church, and for redemption of lost souls. Workshops included topics on Integrity, Nazarene Integrity, Nazarene Identity, Youth and Worship.

While functioning as the Southern Tagalog DS, Mark was the chairman of the Board of Trustees at PNC in 2014. To combine these responsibilities to effectively serve the church, he promoted Ministry Exposure to PNC students, a project that he just spearheaded this year. The project aims to have PNC students be more involved in their local churches and other churches in the district during their summer break. Pastoral ministry students were assigned to churches without a resident pastor, and education students, on the other hand, were grouped to teach from one church to another.
Mark’s term as District Superintendent will end on January 2016; however, due to the nature of his new responsibility at PNC, he will step down as Southern Tagalog’s DS by the end of June. We should be expecting an announcement as to who will succeed him sometime soon.
I consider my election as president of PNC as a great privilege, twinned with enormous responsibility. Imagine leading an institution with the vision of being “an outstanding educational center of various Christian ministries” and to produce pastors, teachers and Christian leaders, who will, in turn, “make Christlike disciples in all nations!” I admit, it is overwhelming and scary! But I trust the Lord, and I pray that my previous ministry and leadership experiences would be of help to the college.
I am thankful to the Board of Trustees, Rev. Stephen Gualberto, Dr. Melvin Rigsby, Dr. Mark Louw, and the Board of General Superintendents for their trust and confidence in me. Above all, I give God all the glory!- Rev. Mark Eugenio
The Eugenio Family (L-R): Mark, daughter Maeve Lane, wife Jasmin and son Josiah Kent.
Mark is married to Jasmin, who is also serving in the Philippine Field Office. They have two children, Josiah Kent and Maeve Lane.
Let us include Mark in our prayers as he assumes the new role that God has bestowed upon him. Please pray that he will lead with God-given wisdom and may the Holy Spirit guide him in all his words, actions and decisions.
Learn more about Rev. Eugenio and his vision for PNC by clicking here!
LoveWorks Team from Point Loma Nazarene University Makes Big Impact in New Zealand!
Wainuiomata, New Zealand
Students from Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) had the time of their lives when they recently participated in the university's Short Term Mission Program in Wainuiomata, a large suburb in the Wellington Region of New Zealand's North Island.

The group, who called themselves the LoveWorks Team, consisted of 12 students and two adult leaders. After an 18-hour trip across the Pacific Ocean, and upon reaching their destination, the team wasted no time and immediately spent their first weekend at Wainuiomata Church near Wellington.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND, BLOG, CURRENT, FEATURE, NEWS, PARTNERSHIPS, WORK AND WITNESS
LOVEWORKS TEAM FROM POINT LOMA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY MAKES BIG IMPACT IN NEW ZEALAND!
Wainuiomata, New Zealand: Students from Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) had the time of their lives when they recently participated in the university’s Short Term Mission Program in Wainuiomata, a large suburb in the Wellington Region of New Zealand’s North Island.
The group, who called themselves the LoveWorks Team, consisted of 12 students and two adult leaders. Upon reaching their destination after an 18-hour trip across the Pacific Ocean, the team wasted no time, but immediately spent their first weekend at Wainuiomata Church near Wellington. They joined with the local church in developing teams to lead the worship and children’s church for Sunday services, catering to both English and Samoan congregations. Through their efforts, unforgettable spiritual breakthroughs were achieved and the people felt very blessed.

The LoveWorks Team continued to make their mark in the community. They presented anti-bullying programs, painted fences at local schools that had been tagged with graffiti, and had the opportunity to interact with the students during recess. The team also visited the local Marae (Maori Cultural Centre).
The team partnered with the youth of the community, including the youth pastor and leaders from the Baptist church, in organizing a community clean-up. The streets were cleared of litter in less than two hours, thanks to the collaboration of the team and the local youth leaders.

Not only did the team organize activities that were beneficial to the community, they also put together a fun program for the people of Wainuiomata. There were testimonies and performances, face painting, and free sausages, popcorn and drinks. It was an event that everyone truly enjoyed.

Wainuiomata is proud of its breathtaking scenery, and the team made a point to have some of their nightly devotions outdoors to enjoy nature’s beauty. These special times of prayer in the midst of God’s wonderful creation were moments that each of the team members will never forget.
Indeed, the LoveWorks Team made a huge impact in the community of Wainuiomata and the churches of Valley and Revival. Each of the team members was able to manifest Christ’s love through the sincerity of their work and how they personally related to the people. A local paper, impressed by what the team was accomplishing, even published two stories on the team and their activities in and around the community. The community will always cherish the time that the team spent in Wainuiomata, and the locals will forever be thankful for the team’s hard work and willingness to serve.
The LoveWorks Short Term Mission Program functions within the Office of Spiritual Development at Point Loma Nazarene University. The goal of LoveWorks is to walk alongside pastors, missionaries, and congregations who serve Christ in various domestic and international settings. Through LoveWorks, over 2000 students, faculty, staff, and alumni have traveled to almost 60 world areas to serve with our sisters and brothers in Christ.Click here for more information on the LoveWorks Short Term Mission Program![Submitted: Dr. Neville Bartle].
It was a productive and fruitful journey for the team, filled with God's grace. Find out more by following this link!
Tell the Story Training to be Held at Nazarene Theological College... and Through Video Conference!
Australia
Rev. Ray Neu will be conducting a 5-day Tell The Story training at Nazarene Theological College (NTC), Brisbane, which will be held June 9 - 13, 2015.
This interactive story-based learning class could be taken by students as Continuing Education, Lay Training, or for NTC Credit. It is also for participants who simply want to join and who enjoy learning how they can tell the stories of God with more accuracy, spirit and zest. The class is recommended for church and small group leaders, as well as people interested in learning to disciple others. Another unique feature of this class offering is that it will be made available through video conference.

Watch the Tell THE Story Promo!
Follow this link for more information on the course...
Say Goodbye to Leadership Overload!

Any time you're living on leadership overload, what you're doing isn't good. Cry out to God. Agree that His priorities are wise and doable, by His power working mightily within. Actively cooperate as He teaches you to delegate, to grow people to maturity, and to stand before Him on behalf of those you lead.
"If you handle the work this way, you'll have the strength to carry out whatever God commands you, and the people in their settings will flourish."BLOG, CURRENT, DISCIPLESHIP, EDITORIAL, FEATURE, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, SDMI
SAY GOODBYE TO LEADERSHIP OVERLOAD!
And say hello to the right priorities
“What you are doing is not good.”
Jethro said it to Moses in Exodus 18. God said it to me at a time when I was experiencing major leadership overload. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself” (Exodus 18:18).
Moses had lived for decades on the back side of the desert. Now he led a people who had been slaves for generations. They had no clue how to govern themselves or to do God’s will. They faced dire situations. And they couldn’t get along.
Fresh from the Red Sea crossing, Moses tried to lead the people by himself. Everyone who had a problem came to him. Moses found himself arbitrating all day, every day.
When Moses’ father-in-law came to visit, Jethro accurately assessed the situation: “This is not good” (Exodus 18:17). Jethro suggested three new priorities. He urged Moses to confirm that these priorities were God’s (Exodus 18:19-23). In response, Moses did a wonderful thing. The man who met face-to-face with God listened and acted when the Lord spoke to him through someone else.
As I read Jethro’s counsel to Moses, I realized it was God’s counsel for me. Yet some of it didn’t seem logical or practical, and I knew I couldn’t do any of it in my own strength.
Desperate, I told the Lord I believed his word. I asked his Spirit to empower me to obey. In the years since, God has consistently affirmed: As we walk out these three principles, we say goodbye to leadership overload.
Let’s look at each briefly, from last to first.
Priority 3: Select capable people to work alongside you (verses 21-22).
Like Moses, I wasn’t born with a default setting to delegate. When I was 20-something, a woman told me, “You’re doing everything for everybody.” Taking her words to heart, I set out to learn the skill of delegating wisely. Faithfully, God continues to teach me.
Delegating takes effort. It requires trust to hand over authority and responsibility to someone else. It requires wisdom to choose the right people and humility to admit when you did not. It takes courage to hold people accountable and selflessness to affirm a job well done. But the effort you expend will more than pay for itself as other leaders step up to help share the load.
Don’t stop there, though! Often people who read this story in Scripture see only the call to delegate—and miss priorities 1 and 2.
Priority 2: Cultivate spiritual adults (verse 20).
Moses was deciding everything for everyone. He was discerning God’s will for people in many matters they should have discerned for themselves. In so doing, he unwittingly reinforced a lie the people had learned in slavery: that even as adults, they would always have to be told what to do.
Jethro urged Moses: Before people fall into the ditch, teach them God’s ways. Teach with words and by your life. Implicit in this priority is a challenge: Expect them to learn. Expect them to grow up.
Inadvertently, we too may lead in a way that keeps people perennial children, rather than grow them into spiritual adults. We may communicate, “You need me to step in and fix your every woe.” That hurts everyone. Enabled to live irresponsibly, people keep getting stuck in ditches and always expect someone else to pull them out. Goaded by a false sense of importance, we take on far too much responsibility, to the point of collapse.
I’ve sinned in this way, as did Moses, before Jethro showed him his error. But when we change course—when we truly help people toward adulthood and strongly affirm those acting like adults—we dramatically change the dynamic.
It’s not an instant fix, but ultimately it makes a profound difference. Consider the phenomenal results after Moses taught God’s ways for 40 years. The first time the nation stood at the edge of the Promised Land, a very few leaders tried unsuccessfully to pull along a terrified, rebellious crowd. The second time, all moved together as one.
Priority 1: Stand before God for the people.
Spend time with the Lord. Talk to him about people’s needs. Even more important, learn to know his voice, listen closely to what he says, and act on it.
Remember: Moses wasn’t a priest. He was a government leader of a struggling, wandering nation. He might have believed that taking time out to “stand before God for the people” would only increase his overload. He might have thought that prayer was one task he could delegate to a hand-picked team. Yet Jethro told Moses, “This is your number-one job,” and God himself affirmed it.
Repeatedly, the Lord called Moses to meet with him. Consistently, Moses went, even when his responsibilities shouted, “No! You cannot go!” Twice he spent an entire six weeks alone with God. During their encounters, God listened as Moses spoke. More often, Moses listened as God spoke. That’s how Moses knew what to teach the people and who to call up to help lead. That’s where Moses learned God’s ways.
In our day, in your situation, you may think this priority impossible. Don’t be fooled. What’s impossible is leading the right way without it. Indeed, what have you accomplished if everyone moves together—but doesn’t go with God?
Be blessed to make this your first priority as a leader: to spend time before the Lord, listening and interceding. Trust him to accomplish it. In his strength, press in past seemingly insurmountable obstacles. I can attest: He will make the way.
A promise God will keep
Any time you’re living on leadership overload, what you’re doing isn’t good. Cry out to God. Agree that his priorities are wise and doable, by his power working mightily within. Actively cooperate as he teaches you to delegate, to grow people to maturity, and to stand before him in behalf of those you lead.
“If you handle the work this way, you’ll have the strength to carry out whatever God commands you, and the people in their settings will flourish”.
Deborah Brunt explores key truths for living life. She’s the author of eight books, including two e-books in the E-Blessings Series, The Elijah Blessing: An Undivided Heart and The Esther Blessing: Grace to Reign in Life. Visit Deborah at her website, www.keytruths.com, at facebook.com/keytruths, or @KeyTruths.
© 2015 Christianity Today & Gifted for Leadership
Small groups are an essential component to the development of Christlike disciples. While corporate worship is equally important, it is in the context of small groups where the Word of God can be deeply explored, questions can be discussed, and insights gained in an environment that promotes dialogue.
While many of us are excited to be involved in a small group, the thought of personally leading one can be quite intimidating. This great short video has 10 tips to leading an effective small group.
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Check out this great short video on Small Group Leadership 101!
Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary Highlights
APNTS NOW OFFERS Graduate Certificate in Language Teaching Ministry! Follow This Link for Information.
APNTS Announces PhD Classes for November-December 2015.
(For PhD in HCD, PhD in Transformational Learning, and PhD in Transformational Development)
Follow this link for more information.
Nov. 2-6 Dr. Laura Sandidge Learners with Special Needs (for PhD & Masters)
Nov. 2-13 Dr. Fletcher Tink & Dr. Melba Maggay Culture, Context, and Worldview (for PhD only)
Nov. 16-27 Dr. Dick Eugenio & Prof. Larnie Sam Tabuena Philosophy and Theology of Transformation (for PhD Only)
Dec. 7-18 Dr. Joanna Soberano Spirituality and Transformational Learning for PhD Only) - to be confirmed.
10 Good Questions to Evaluate your Church.
Dan Reiland

Every year I get a complete physical from my doctor. It's a thorough check-up from head to toe. I usually have the same initial thoughts to this invasive, needle sticking, blood sucking, finger poking experience. First, I'm too busy for this. I just don't have time. Second, this is not going to be fun! Third, I don't want to know what I might learn! But the end result is always the same. I'm glad I did it, and it always leads to continued or better health.
Your church/ministry is similar to this experience. No one really wants to do a thorough and honest evaluation, but you are wise to do so. It leads to better church health and robust performance!BLOG, CHURCH PLANTING, CHURCH PLANTING, DISCIPLESHIP, DISCIPLESHIP, FEATURE,LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, RESOURCES
10 GOOD QUESTIONS TO EVALUATE YOUR CHURCH. by Dan Reiland
Every year I get a complete physical from my doctor. It’s a thorough check-up from head to toe. I usually have the same initial thoughts to this invasive, needle sticking, blood sucking, finger poking experience. First, I’m too busy for this. I just don’t have time. Second, this is not going to be fun! Third, I don’t want to know what I might learn! But the end result is always the same. I’m glad I did it, and it always leads to continued or better health.
Your church/ministry is similar to this experience. No one really wants to do a thorough and honest evaluation, but you are wise to do so. It leads to better church health and robust performance!
One of the “secrets to success” is asking the right questions. Dr. Martin always asks me a lot of questions. But it’s obvious he’s not just randomly asking a laundry list of standard questions. The questions are strategic and come from years of experience and wisdom resulting from over thirty years of practicing medicine.
I strongly recommend that you gather several influential leaders in your church and ask the following questions. You’ll be glad you did. Keep in mind that once you discover the answers, you need to act upon what you learn. It’s similar to Dr. Martin’s report. If he wants me to lose weight, or exercise more, or to take a certain medication, I need to act on that or the physical exam has no real value.
10 Good Questions:
  1. In what ways is the unique culture of your church/ministry helping you make progress? How would you describe your culture? Is your church culture helping or hurting as you pursue God’s purpose for your church? Dr. Sam Chand wrote a great book titled Breaking Your Church’s Culture Code. He states that more than vision,programs, money, or staff, culture has the greatest impact on your church’s future. I agree! I highly recommend it to help you work through this question.
  2. How would you describe the level of spiritual maturity in your church? There are so many ways to approach this question, so let me offer our spiritually strategic approach at 12Stone® Church. We look for a few key indicators. First, are our people praying? Do they hear God’s voice and obey? Second, are the people serving in ministry? Third, are they giving financially? Of course you could list more things, but if these three are strong, most everything else will fall into place.
  3. Are you developing new leaders and how are you doing that? Next to the favor of God, everything rises and falls on leadership! Do the leaders in your church/ministry demonstrate strong spiritual depth and a servant heart? What are you doing to find and develop new leaders?! You will not realize your potential as a church/ministry without a serious dedication to this endeavor.
  4. How would you describe the strength of your volunteers? Are your volunteers a powerful army or a struggling band of survivors? Much of that depends on how you select, train, encourage and empower your volunteers. Do you recruit to a vision or just to get a task done? All churches/ministries face the pressure of needing people to volunteer to serve, but how you build teams makes all the difference. How would you rate the overall esprit de corps of your volunteer ministries?
  5. What are the financial indicators telling you? It is relatively easy to measure results when it comes to money. The weekly offering tells the truth. At the same time, one of the largest challenges a leader will ever face is successfully inspiring the people to trust God with their finances and remain obedient to generous giving. It’s sad but true, that in most churches/ministries half the people could leave and the church would experience very little change financially. Of course you don’t want them to leave, but the point is clear. Like it or not, money and ministry can’t be separated. It takes financial resources to reach people for Jesus!
  6. When you think of the majority of your leaders, what impression comes to mind? Dedicated, competent, and joyous? Or are they complaining, lacking excellence and apathetic? I hope it’s more the former. What are the words that come to mind when you think of your leaders? How are you investing in them? How are you encouraging them? The one word definition of leadership is influence. How are your leaders influencing people for the sake of the Kingdom?
  7. Is your process of spiritual formation (discipleship) working? What are the practical steps that guide your people in their journey toward spiritual maturity? If you lean too much into mechanical lists you can lose the more fluid and organic side of the Holy Spirit’s power. If you remove structure completely you run the risk of “feel good” ministry that can be warm and relational but lacking in depth and discipline. I have wrestled with this over the years and concluded there is no one right way. For me, I think one of the best ways to measure your process of spiritual formation is to gather stories. If there are stories of life change you are on the right track! (This is closely linked to question #2.)
  8. How would you describe the overall morale of your church/ministry? Similar to finances, it is easy to assess morale but difficult to improve it, if it’s not doing well. I can spend a few hours with a church staff and key leaders and have a very good sense of the overall morale of the church. It’s not difficult to sense what is going on. Are the people happy? Do they trust the leadership? Are they fired-up about the mission? Are they passionate about following Jesus? Is there momentum? Are problems solved with relative ease? You get the idea. Morale and culture are closely linked. If you are struggling and the culture and morale is not ideal, I urge you to pour your leadership energy there first.
  9. Are you on mission? You must first be clear about the purpose of your church/ministry? What is it – exactly? It’s essential that your leaders become and remain aligned together in that mission. The bottom line is that the leaders are headed in the same direction. I have visited far too many churches/ministries that have multiple mission / vision ideas in the mix. I love to get the key leaders and staff in a room and then ask them to write the mission on a card. Not the words written on the wall, but what priority is actually lived out. It’s scary how many different things are written on those cards. And these are the leaders!
  10. Do your people enthusiastically invite others to your worship services? I have coached churches where the people had very lukewarm feelings about the worship service. There was no way they would ever invite someone even if they did have a heart for the lost. This is a huge evangelistic combination. If your people are committed to the vision enough to invite people to church, and your church service is worth inviting people to – that is the combination you want.
You might want to drop a question or two and add your own to the list, but I urge you to invest the time it takes to answer these questions. I pray God’s wisdom for your leadership and His favor upon your church!!Learn the right questions to ask, and act upon what you learn...Click Here!
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June 10th, 3am Singapore Time

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Stewardship Ministries is offering a free School of Stewardship webinar on church fraud June 9 at 2 p.m, (Central Daylight Time - USA). This is 1900 UTC.
Certified fraud examiner Glenn Miller and Pastor Jeff Klick from the Institute for Church Management will share how churches can recognize and respond to financial fraud. Time will be reserved for attendee questions. Lifelong learning hours will be credited to all eligible attendees.
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