Saying No

by Ryan Marcum on January 18, 2012 in Blog, Leadership, Ministry Helps with No comments

So, the first blog of the year comes eighteen days after the fact….

There are all sorts of leadership blogs, breakout sessions and books devoted to the art of saying, no. Most leaders will advise people to say, no every once in a while, in order to be more effective. However, in this short blog/thought, I would like to pose a different perspective on the matter. Imagine if you were a leader trying to accomplish a given task, and all you hear is, no… Now, imagine that you were the staff or someone directly involved with the task and all you heard from the leader was, no… Continue reading →

Become a Better Speaker in One Step

by Ryan Marcum on November 18, 2011 in Blog, Ministry Helps with No comments

There are many blogs, books, podcasts, and DVDs on becoming a better speaker. No doubt you are here, because you either a.) follow my blog, or b.) think it is impossible that someone has mastered the art of becoming a better speaker in just one step!

This post could be called, The First Step to Becoming a Better Speaker… but for now let’s get to this one magical step:

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What is being called?

by Ryan Marcum on November 12, 2011 in Blog, Ministry Helps with No comments

Calling

The first thing we need to think, struggle and wrestle with when pursuing vocational ministry is “calling”.

1. What is a calling?
2. How do I know that I am called?
3. What do I do when I know that I have been called?

The misconception is that only those gifted in speaking are called to be in ministry. WRONG. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ YOU have BEEN called to GO and make disciples, to Love God and Love People. ALL believers have been gifted to do “works” that Christ has prepared for YOU in ADVANCE. See Ephesians 2:8-10.

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A New Season

by Ryan Marcum on October 27, 2011 in Blog, Life with No comments

Autumn is the favorite time of year for many people. Fall is a time of bonfires, football, breaks from school and often a time of renewal. My family is entering a new season of our journey together during this autumn season.

Most of you know that I have been pastoring a church and an officer serving in the United States Army Reserve. The unit I am serving with is a training unit and has been called upon to train units who will be deploying in the future. I will be training these units alongside my fellow soldiers during this fall season through the summer of next year. The leadership of the church and I have decided that it would be best for me to step down as pastor during this time away.

I am thankful to God for the opportunity to serve with the people of Covington Baptist Church and will not forget the love shown to my family. I will miss each and everyone of you and will pray for you daily as you continue to be faithful in giving to the mission of making God’s glory known among the nations.

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.” Daniel 2:20-23

Leadership On the Go: Speak Out

by Ryan Marcum on October 25, 2011 in Lead on The Go with No comments

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But if I say, “I will not mention him[God] or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. Jeremiah 20:9-10

Prophets spoke the words of God to those who had ears to hear. Jeremiah, in this verse, speaks of the passion that he has for speaking God’s word. Jeremiah was a prophet, simply because God chose him and equipped him to do this work. And Jeremiah felt deep inside himself, that if he did not speak God’s word, it would burn until he let it out. You are in a place of leadership because God has allowed you to be there.

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