All posts tagged Pastor

iPhone Apps and Ministry

by Ryan Marcum on April 27, 2010 in Blog, Ministry Helps with No comments

Let’s face it, ministry happens ALL the time! Sometimes you need to read a passage for an upcoming sermon or you need to take notes to use later. If you are like me, illustrations come and go throughout the day and there is no way to remember them all. With today’s technology, there is no reason for ministers to feel like they are unprepared. So I wanted to come up with a list of apps that help me study, take notes and even spend time in the word! (This will be an ongoing list, so leave a comment with your favorite ministry apps)

Here are a list of iphone apps that can be helpful for ministers on the go. (in random order)

LOGOS BIBLE SOFTWARE
A free download from the App Store, Logos Bible Software lets you read, search, cross reference, compare versions, and even set up reading plans to keep your daily Bible reading on schedule.

ADMIN PASTOR
This is the Perfect App for pastors, worship leaders, student pastors and staff members to bring accountability and productivity to the palm of your hand. With 15 years of ministry experience This Generation Now brings the Admin Pastor to Life for the local church staff members! (Have not personally used this one, looks interesting)

PLANNING CENTER ONLINE
Planning Center Online will simplify and organize your ministry. Are you currently scheduling your volunteers by calling them each week? Do you use Excel, Word or Google Docs to plan your service? Planning Center Online will revolutionize the way you plan your services!

FAMILY ’round the TABLE
‘Family ’round the Table’ is a resource that provides your family with great ways to grow spiritually. The application is intended to guide parents in the creation of a meal, craft or game, Bible study and worship activity that are thematically linked to support the spiritual development of young children.

Here are some apps from specific ministries:

GRACE TO YOU
When you download this FREE App, you carry forty years of John MacArthur’s Bible teaching in your pocket.  That’s thousands of hours of in-depth Bible teaching instantly available at the touch of a fingertip.

MARS HILL
At Mars Hill we live for Jesus as a city within the city — knowing culture, loving people, and seeing lives transformed for Jesus. Part of that mission is utilizing the technology available to us to reach as many people as we can in our cities and around the world.

JP MOBILE
Imagine being able to access information on thousands of people groups, see data on hundreds of countries, flick through amazing photos, learn about famous missionaries or even share the gospel. All on your portable Apple device. With just the touch of a finger. Anywhere. Anytime. For Free!

CATALYST
The Catalyst iPhone App allows you to have on-demand access to the latest and best Catalyst content directly from your iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad.

Here are some devotional apps:

MORNING AND EVENING
A classic daily devotional focusing on God’s promises by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, known as the “Prince of Preachers”. No internet connection required.

CHRISTIAN AUDIO (Morning and Evening)
Morning and Evening, from christianaudio, provides a unique daily devotional streamed right to your iPhone or iPod touch (over EDGE, 3G, or Wi-Fi). Listen to today’s reading or jump directly to any day of the year. If you find one you’d like to share, email the mp3 directly from within Morning and Evening.

MORNINGS WITH TOZER
Grab your cup of coffee, find your favorite chair and begin your day with the wisdom of A.W. Tozer.
Most of these 366 devotional readings are gleaned from sermons Tozer preached nearer the time of his death in 1963 and have an intense concern for spiritual intimacy and true worship.

COURAGEOUS FAITH
We have a worthy calling from God, but it’s not always easy. But the Christian life is not about working harder or smarter. Its about knowing God more deeply and discovering how he works in you. Are you ready to accept the call to courageous faith? Are you ready to accept the promise of abundant life that such a faith creates?



Ministry Helps Part 1

by Ryan Marcum on April 15, 2010 in Blog, Ministry Helps with 2 Comments

Hey everyone, this is a new series called “ministry helps” and it’s purpose is to provide guidance for those starting out in ministry. Let’s face it, there is a lot of information out there about ministry and “how to” books designed to give you all the insight after you have landed your first ministry job. However, there are few resources out there to help you while your looking for a ministry position. This is where MINISTRY HELPS comes in! And the best part is that all the information you’ll find here is free! I know what you are thinking, “you get what you pay for” right? WRONG. This is just advice from me to you, take it or leave it!

Although this series is designed for those seeking ministry positions, it can be used by anyone looking to better themselves for that next job. If you like what you read be sure and leave a comment, or if you have more info, add that as well!

PART ONE:

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? And, 3. what do I do when I know that I have been called?

Misconception: 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.

However, there are some that God has uniquely called, gifted, prepared and disciplined to learn God’s Word in order to Teach the Word of God to a specific community of believers. Pastors are to properly exegete the Word of God and exhort the local body of believers merging the two together in unity! The Pastor/Minister must Love the Word of God and Love People.

1 Timothy 3:1
Ephesians 4:11-15

definition: 1. What is a calling? , 2. How do I know if I have been called?

Charles Spurgeon said his calling was, “an intense, all-absorbing desire for the work.” In essence those called by God have a unique desire to preach/teach the Word of God for building up the people of God to reach the World for the Glory of God.  “But,” Spurgeon continued, “if he cannot help it, and he must preach or die, then he is the man.” My advice is, like Spurgeon, if there is anything else you see yourself doing besides preaching/teaching the Word of God, then you should sincerely get down on your knees and seek the Lord for clear direction. That being said, if you long to see the people of God apply the Truths of God no matter what the cost, you my friend possess the inward mark of a minister/pastor.

Biblical Qualifications: 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9;

Now What: 3. What do I do if I know that I have been called?

1. Lean not on your own understanding.. Proverbs 3:5, in other words, chase after God and His Word with reckless abandon. Make a habit of meditating on His Word day and night, memorizing wrestling with the very words of God. Also, seek God first before above all else! Your relationship with God is vital to daily strength and wisdom in the days ahead.

2. Sit under godly men. Learn always. You have probably heard it said, Leaders are Learners, it is TRUE! The Pastor/Minister that stops learning stops leading. Find a mentor, one who will keep you accountable, instruct you in pastoral care, Bible study, sermon preparation and daily etiquette of the pastor.

3. Be YOURSELF! God has called YOU to be what HE has called you too. He did not CALL you to be the next, Mark Driscoll or John Piper. God has called YOU to be YOU.

This is not exhaustive! This is an on-going work to help those contemplating a call to vocational ministry. If you have any more tips/helps feel free to post below!

Love God Love People