APPLYING CHAPTER 18 

1. Gather with some colleagues and, as far as you can without betraying confidentiality, share stories of the worst problems you have encountered in ministry. It can be encouraging to know you are not alone in facing these issues, and you may learn something of how to deal with them. 


2. Think of at least three problems you have encountered in your ministry. For each, write: 

a. What the problem was 

b. How you dealt with it 

c. What you learned 

d. Anything you would do differently if it happens again 


3. Think about the people in your church. 

a. List the ones who drain energy from you. 

b. List those who restore energy to you. 

c. What steps will you take to make sure you spend more time with the second group? 


4. Are you good at identifying con artists? 

a. If not, who can you trust to help you with that? 

b. Talk with other pastors in your area about notifying each other when a con artist is making the rounds of churches looking for a handout. 


5. List any people in your church who have differences from you in theology or Biblical interpretation. 

a. Are they influential enough, and the differences serious enough, to become a problem for the congregation? 

b. If so, how will you prevent that? 

c. What will you do if it happens? 


6. Does your church, church group or denomination have a process for dealing with suspected or alleged legal or moral scandal in a church member? 

a. If yes, are you and your leaders familiar with it? 

b. If no, list some established churches or denominations that have policies you might consult for ideas. 

c. After a little research, write out what you believe are the basic policies and practices your church needs to safeguard God’s money and property and your church’s reputation. 

d. Make plans to discuss this with your church leaders. 


7. Does your church or group have a policy about what you must hold confidential, and any circumstances in which you may break that confidence? 

a. If yes, are you and your leaders familiar with it? Do you agree with it? 

b. If no, do some research and write out what you believe is a reasonable policy. 

c. Make plans to discuss this with your church leaders. 


8. Some pastors have much more knowledge and experience with unholy spirits than others. 

a. If you do not have much experience in this area, what mature Christians do you know who do? 

b. How will you learn from them? 

Last modified: Tuesday, May 23, 2023, 12:31 PM