Contributed by Don Hawks on Jun 22, 2007
The teachings of John Wesley were very instrumental in my identifying with the United Methodist approach to practicing the Christian life. Wesley of course was an 18th-century Anglican clergyman and Christian theologian who was an early leader in the Methodist movement. In addition to Wesley’s
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Denomination:
Methodist
Contributed by Peter Loughman on May 15, 2008
TOO IMPORTANT FOR MINISTRY
Years ago the retired church janitor had passed away and the family had asked the Senior Pastor to do the funeral services. The Senior Pastor informed me that I was to do the funeral service and not he, because, (and I am not making this up) because, “as senior pastor,
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Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 25, 2008
based on 1 rating
| 3,848 views
I read of a candidate for ordination into the ministry. He was having an interview with the bishop on the day before the ordination service. Feeling his unworthiness he said, "Bishop, if you knew how unworthy I am to be ordained by you, you would never lay hands on me."
The dear bishop replied,
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Denomination:
Baptist
Cymbala shares in his book, "Fresh Power":
"But just as there are people who watch from the bleachers and never know the challenge of competing on the court, we have millions of churchgoers who sit in pews every week without ever entering the game. They sacrifice nothing, strain toward no ministry
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Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007
based on 1 rating
| 2,122 views
I think of David Livingstone, the pioneer missionary to Africa, who walked over 29,000 miles. His wife died early in their ministry and he faced stiff opposition from his Scottish brethren. He ministered half blind. His kind of perseverance spurs me on. As I walk, I remember the words in his diary:
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Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007
based on 3 ratings
| 1,678 views
I like the old story about the guy who came to church with his family. As they were driving home afterward he was complaining about everything. He said, “The music was too loud. The sermon was too long. The announcements were unclear. The building was hot. The people were unfriendly.” He went on &
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Contributed by Jesse Bennett on Apr 5, 2009
based on 2 ratings
| 7,093 views
JOY-SUCKERS
A "joy sucker" is someone who is determined to create either discouragement or hardship on your ministry. "Joy suckers" take on all shapes and sizes, but most often they are negative in their outlook, disappointed with their family, in need of attention or enamored with their own
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Denomination:
Baptist
Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 26, 2010
DRY TRUTH OR DYNAMIC LIES?
During my first year of ministry here, I asked a hypothetical question: If you had the choice of attending a church where the pastor believed and taught the Bible but was dry and not a very good speaker, or a church where the pastor believed that the Bible contained many
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Independent/Bible
Contributed by Larry Wilson on Aug 7, 2010
A Few Need to Die
Warren Wiersbe, Be Strong. (p. 30)
It is unfortunate but true that sometimes the only way a ministry can move forward is by conducting a few funerals. A pastor friend of mine pleaded with his church board to build a new educational [building] to house an exploding Sunday
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Baptist
Contributed by Ken Pell on Apr 6, 2012
based on 2 ratings
| 6,073 views
HOLY JOY
Richard Foster describes holy joy like this:
"Joy, not grit, is the hallmark of holy obedience. ...It is a cheerful revolt against self and pride. ...Utter abandonment to God is done freely and with celebration. And so I urge you to enjoy this ministry of self-surrender. ...The saints
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Denomination:
Nazarene
Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007
based on 4 ratings
| 2,548 views
No man ever became great doing as he pleased. Little men do as they please little nobodies. Great men submit themselves to the
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Contributed by Larry Jacobs on Jul 5, 2005
based on 6 ratings
| 3,599 views
SUPPOSE IT HAD BEEN WISE WOMEN INSTEAD OF WISE MEN?
I read this humors account of the Wise Men (obviously written by a woman):
If it had been ‘Wise Women’ instead of ‘Wise Men’, they would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole,
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Baptist
Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Sep 20, 2003
based on 5 ratings
| 2,284 views
Last year (2002), A&E produced a made-for-TV movie entitled Shackleton: The Greatest Survival Story of All Time. It is the account of the British explorer Ernest Shackleton and the 27 men with him who attempted to cross the continent of Antarctica. Temperatures around the South Pole can reach as
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Denomination:
Methodist
based on 13 ratings
| 2,067 views
Recently a "Husband Shopping Center" opened in Dallas, where women could go to choose a husband from among many men. It was laid out with five floors, with the men increasing in positive attributes as you ascended up the floors. The only rule was once you opened the door to any floor, you must
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Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
based on 3 ratings
| 2,544 views
In his Alpha Talk “What About the Church,” Nicky Gumbel tells this story about John Wimber, the founding pastor of the Anaheim Vineyard Christian Fellowship and the Worldwide Vineyard Movement: “John Wimber was once approached by a member of his congregation who had met somebody in great need.
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Denomination:
Methodist
based on 1 rating
| 5,400 views
IDENTIFIES WITH OUR SUFFERING
His name was Joseph Damien, and you’ve probably heard his story before, but it bears repeating. A Belgian priest, he was sent in 1873 to minister to lepers in Hawaii. As soon as he arrived on Molokai, he began trying to build friendships with the residents of the
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Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Sermon Central