Tripp Atkinson

Pastor, Speaker, Consultant

Ministry

The Most Important Person You Lead

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“You are the most important person you lead today.”

That can’t be true, can it? It sounds a bit selfish, maybe even arrogant. Certainly I’m not more important than my kids, or my spouse, or the ministry I lead. I may be the leader of a team, but I’m called to humbly serve that team. After all, isn’t servant leadership about making yourself the least important person in the room?

Jesus Christ was the ultimate servant leader. But Jesus also demonstrated an important principle… I must lead myself well if I’m going to serve others well.

I must lead myself well if I’m going to serve others well.

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Jesus’ Model for Self-Care

Commissioned with the most important mission and ministry in history, Jesus was certainly driven and busy. But even with people pressing to get to him with needs, Jesus repeatedly took time to withdraw from the crowds.

Jesus was divine, yet he was also human and had legitimate human needs. Though completely dependent on his divine nature to lead and empower his earthly ministry, he cared for the physical realm through which that power and ministry flowed.

After ministering to the crowds, Jesus made a practice of withdrawing and refueling before he poured himself out again. Jesus practiced and modeled good self-care. He didn’t hide his physical or emotional needs, but asked his friends for support. While Jesus’ life certainly involved rigorous service, sacrifice, and suffering, it also involved self-investment and self-care. By making it a practice to invest in himself, he was better able to humanly care for those whom he was called to lead.

The most important person you lead really is yourself. Through investment in yourself, you are able to best lead others. A spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy you honors God and best fulfills the incredible calling God has entrusted to you.

Consider those in your life you would think of more highly than yourself. Don’t you want the best for them? Don’t they deserve the best you?

Lead them well by leading yourself well today.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. – Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

Good self-care begins with self-awareness of your comprehensive health.

All of You: Why Your Comprehensive Health Matters

You matter to God.

In fact, every domain and aspect of your life matters to God.

The apostle Paul notes God’s holistic concern in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24:

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.  God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

God wants to impact every area of our lives, and he wants us to use every area of our lives to love and glorify him. When questioned about which commandment is greatest, Jesus responded,

The most important commandment is this: “…you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” The second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” No other commandment is greater than these.  – Mark 12:29-31

God loves all of you, and he want you to love and honor him with all of you.

Comprehensive health matters because we are to love and honor God in every aspect of our being, relating, and doing.

What is comprehensive health?

Comprehensive health, or holistic health, refers to one’s wellness in each area, or “domain,” of life.

While there are several popular models used to divide life into domains, I find the model developed by Michael Hyatt to be most helpful. Hyatt identifies ten interrelated life domains, grouped together into larger domains of “Being,” “Relating,” and “Doing,” as follows:

BEING
– Spiritual: Your connection with God
– Intellectual: Your engagement with significant ideas
– Emotional: Your psychological health
– Physical: Your bodily health

RELATING
– Marital: Your spouse or significant other
– Parental: Your children if you have any
– Social: Your friends & associates

DOING
– Vocational: Your profession
– Avocational: Your hobbies & pastimes
– Financial: Your personal or family finances

Hyatt stresses the interconnected nature of each domain. For example, job stress can impact our physical and emotional well-being, strain our family relationships, and isolate us from friendships. Lack of health in one domain can quickly erode well-being in a number of other domains.

Because of the interconnected nature of each domain, it’s imperative to understand each domain and constantly assess our health in each area.

 

 

Your comprehensive health matters because…

 

1) It honors God.

Simply put, we were created to honor and glorify God (Isaiah 43:7, Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:15-20). 1 Corinthians 10:31 reminds us, “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Comprehensive health is really a matter of stewardship. The apostle Paul reminds us that we do not belong to ourselves. Everything we have, even our own bodies, were given to us by God and belong to God.

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

How we use our bodies, minds, talents, and resources is all a matter of stewardship. As we are good stewards of each domain, we honor God.

2) It impacts your witness.

In his final moments on earth, Jesus reminds his followers of their mission: “…And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…” (Acts 1:8). We are to be witnesses for Christ, not only in word, but in example. In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), Jesus clarifies that part of that mission is to “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.” If we are to teach everything Jesus commanded, that includes teaching on finances (Luke 10:29-37, Romans 13:6-8), marriage (Matthew 19:4-6), friendship (John 15:12-17), and rest (Matthew 11:28-30).

Jesus had much to say about being, relating, and doing.

Ultimately, our lives are to be a reflection to the world of what Jesus thinks about identity, relationships, and how to experience abundant life in him. All of this points to the most important message at the heart of our calling:

So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” – 2 Corinthians 5:20

3) It impacts your service.

Ephesians 2:10 reminds us: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” There is no doubt that we were created with purpose to honor and serve God well. Our health in each domain impacts the quality and longevity of our service. For example:

  • Spiritual health leads to an awareness of the leading of the Spirit of God and the bearing of spiritual fruit.
  • Emotional health leads to greater emotional intelligence (an awareness of our emotions and those of others) with which we can better empathize and care.
  • Physical health leads to wellness and more energy to serve well.
  • Financial health paves the way for increased generosity to meet needs.

Because the health of each domain impacts the others, if we desire to serve well we need to be intentional about each aspect of our health. Comprehensive health is a big deal because it impacts how we honor, represent, and serve God.

Comprehensive health is a big deal because it impacts how we honor, represent, & serve God.

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It is at the heart of the Great Commandment to love God with everything we have. What greater motivation is there to get moving on the path to holistic health?

 

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.  – 3 John 1:2

 

I want to help and encourage you in your journey to comprehensive health.  Click the image below to check out a resource that can help you win.

Remember, you are the most important person you lead today. Honor God by leading yourself well!

6 Vital Small Group Lesson Prep Questions

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What an incredible privilege and responsibility to teach the life-changing truths of Scripture. To offer the best we have as a teacher and avoid the temptation to simply regurgitate (read) curriculum, let’s consider these six important questions we need to answer when preparing to teach:

1) What is the BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE? (Keyword: Preparation)

Everything we teach should bring students back to the Bible. Our stories, opinions, and advice do not have the power to change a student’s life. The Word of God does. (2 Timothy 3:16) That is why we believe the Bible is a BIG DEAL and why we want to graduate students who have biblical principles engrained in their minds and hearts. As you prepare, identify and focus on the biblical principle.

2) What is the TAKEAWAY? (Keyword: Clarification)

It’s important to begin with the end in mind. Once you identify the biblical principle we are trying to communicate, clarify the exact main point we want students to grasp as a result of our time together. With every lesson I teach, I clarify the “140,” that is the point of my lesson in 140 characters or less. Remember, your “takeaway” is not just taught through the lesson, but through the entire small group experience.

3) Why is this IMPORTANT? (Keyword: Persuasion)

Identify the significance of your takeaway. This not only creates a sense of urgency in your approach to lesson prep, but also clarifies how you persuade students of its importance. The WHY always drives the passion and urgency of the WHAT.

4) How do I make this REAL to a child / student? (Keyword: Illustration)

The ability to effectively illustrate a biblical truth in a way that makes it “real” to a student is what moves teachers from being good to GREAT! Object lessons, stories, and illustrations that connect a biblical truth to their world are invaluable to helping students understand and remember truth.

5) What does this mean to ME? (Keyword: Application)

Once you communicate biblical truth in a way that students will understand, the goal is to help them apply this truth to their lives personally. Application of biblical truth is the primary end goal of our teaching. As a teacher, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing your investment pay off when a student applies truth in their life.

6) What NOW? (Keyword: Demonstration)

Let’s not make the mistake of helping students realize where they need to go, but not showing them how to get there. A great lesson ends with practical and specific actions steps that answer the question “What now?” Students should leave small group with a clear understanding of next steps.

Let’s never forget…we are not called to teach lessons, we are called to teach people. Let’s give our best as we prepare to teach God’s life-changing truth!

The 140:
We are not called to teach lessons; we are called to teach people.
Let’s give our best as we prepare to teach God’s life-changing truth!

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See what I did there?

Your 5 Best Ministries

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I see people all the time searching feverishly to find their perfect place of service. Some people refer to this as their “best ministry.” Maybe the Worship Team audition didn’t go as planned (you’re not sure why – you sound GREAT in the shower) and your one night on Tech Team ended with the fire alarm going off. Perhaps you are discouraged and thinking you may never find your “best ministry.”

It is certainly great to understand your giftedness, abilities, and passions, and use them to serve the local church. Unfortunately, in this search, people sometimes miss their best ministries right in front of them.

Check out these five things that could actually be your best ministries…and be sure not to miss the last point!

– Friendship

What?! Friendship is a ministry? Yep.

Think about it:
Has there ever been a time you felt alone and someone unexpectedly befriended you?
How did that make you feel? What did that do for you?

The Bible describes the beauty and value of friendships…

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” – Proverbs 27:17

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” – Ecclesiastes 10:9-10

We were created to live in community, so healthy friendships is something we all crave…even the people that pretend to want everyone to leave them alone. Because of this, simply befriending someone could be a life-changing experience for them!

While it is great to have a few close friends that can be your source of strength, encouragement, and accountability, let’s not miss the opportunity to have meaningful relationships with a lot of friends. Don’t miss the opportunity to change someone’s life by reaching out to them.

Consider the implications of reaching out to someone, according to Matthew 25:37-40,

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”

So as we reach out to others, God is honored.

Can we agree that befriending someone is something easy and meaningful we can do?

– Prayer

Prayer is not only the single greatest untapped power that is available to every Christ-follower, but it is also an incredible ministry. Have you ever had someone tell you they were praying for you, and you believed them? How did that make you feel? I bet you felt incredibly loved and valued that someone took the time to petition the Creator of the Universe on your behalf.

And you know what else? Prayer makes a difference.

“And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.” – 1 John 5:14

Consider the reality of that. God. Hears. Us. God wants us to pray to him and he hears us. Scripture urges us to use this privilege to pray for others.

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.” – 1 Timothy 2:1

“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.” – James 5:16-18

So prayer is powerful. Praying is something you can do. And praying for others really does make a difference.

What types of prayers should we pray for others? Would you say praying for others is something meaningful you can do?

– Invitation

We all love to be invited to things. Invitations communicate that you are wanted, valued, and appreciated. Did you know that a simple invitation can be life-changing? Consider this:

Nearly 90% of new church attenders come to church because of a personal invitation from a friend.

I could tell you story after story of students whose lives have been change as the result of a simple invitation. How easy is it to invite someone to church, a movie, or a small group!? Your invitation could make all the difference in the world to them.

Just recently I baptized an incredible high school student who told me her life was changed by an invitation to a Wednesday night Gathering at Sugar Hill Church. She had never been to church in her life and she came that night and felt such love and acceptance, that she came back the next week. She has been coming every week since for the past year. (More of her story later…)

An invitation to church is pretty easy. There are other life-changing invitations we can make that include an invitation to explore faith more, to trust Christ, or to be bold in living one’s faith.

What are some life-changing invitations you can make this week? Would you say that giving a personal invitation to someone is something you can do?

– Conversation

How many conversations do you have a day? What percentage of those would you consider to be “meaningful” (about more than just sports, weather, gossip, etc.)? Consider how many “good friends” you have that you never have meaningful conversations with. (Why is that?)

In a world where “communication” is largely texts and tweets, people hunger to be heard and to have meaningful conversation. In a society of soundbite communication, people long to be understood.

Here is the problem with that… we were created to live in community where we can know others and where we can be known. This is why a simple meaningful conversation with someone could be life-changing for them.

What could make a conversation meaningful?

– Simply asking questions following an event or small group.
– Continuing a serious conversation.
– Bringing up spiritual matters.
– Asking someone their thoughts on things that matter most in life.

Remember the student that was invited by a friend to church and felt so accepted that she came back? Over the following weeks her friends would have conversations with her about what she was hearing and learning at church. These friends (for the first time) were having meaningful conversations about faith, God, and life. Several months after she first came, this girl trusted Jesus, was baptized, and is growing so much in her faith! A year later, she is leading worship and is making an incredible difference for Christ.

It began with an invitation followed by conversation.

How can you have a conversation this week that could be life-changing for a friend?  Would you say that having meaningful conversations is actually possible?

– Disciple-Making

I know what you may be thinking, “Wait a second…making-disciples? All of the other things were pretty easy, but I can’t make disciples.” Well before you stop reading, check out this NEWSFLASH:

If you are doing the above things with intentionality, you already ARE doing disciple-making things.

It’s true.

Perhaps this is hard for you to believe because you have these ideas that “disciple-making” is reserved for the spiritually elite. For so long, I used to think that making disciples sounded like really hard work and required the following:

– Seminary degree.
– Thick, like really thick Bible.
– A fancy journal (not from Walmart, but from Lifeway or something).
– Commentary set (from a dead guy with weird last name).
– Deluxe hi lighter set.

Well, contrary to perfectly staged social media posts, discipleship is not limited to an artsy landscape that includes coffee, books, thick Bibles, highlighters and a fake leather-bound journal.

Now it may include those things, and certainly some of those elements are very important (Bible = very important, hi lighters = just fun.), but that is not the SOLE picture of discipleship.

Jesus repeatedly gave us great examples of discipleship in how he related to others. Throughout his ministry, we see Jesus:

– Reach out to others (befriend)
– Meet their physical needs
– Engage in meaningful conversation focused on truth
– Invite them to walk with him.
– Model for them a life that honors God.

I’ve got news for you… if you can intentionally build relationships, pray, invite, engage in meaningful conversations, and walk with others, you can make disciples!!!

Let’s get over our fear of making disciples and be about the greatest mission that Jesus gave each of us in Matthew 28:18-20,

“‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” – Jesus

And as you are about the work of doing these things, don’t miss the incredible promise Jesus gave us,

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

That’s great news!  Consider this:

Perhaps your “best ministries” happen moment by moment as you simply live in the reality that Jesus has not only called called you, but also empowered you to change the world as you abide in him.

Maybe disciple-making is not something to be feared, but something that happens organically as you intentionally live in this reality.

Perhaps you have been dabbling in your best ministries without even realizing it.

And perhaps these best ministries, empowered by Jesus, might just change the world!

Have fun today living that out.

 

*I really appreciate all those who take the time to read this blog.  If you like it, please share.  You can get content delivered directly to your inbox by clicking HERE and entering your email address in the subscription box.  (You can totally opt out at any time if my blog becomes lame.)  Thanks!

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Group discussion starters:

– Friendship

How many friends do you have?
Has there ever been a time you felt alone?
Have you ever had someone unexpectedly befriend you? How did this make you feel?

– Prayer

How often do you pray?
What do you mostly pray about?
How have you felt when someone told you that they were praying for you?

What types of prayers should we pray for others?

– Invitation

How many of you like being invited to things?
What’s the greatest thing you’ve ever been invited to be a part of?
How did you feel when you were invited?

What are some life-changing invitations you can make this week? (Church, camp, etc)
What are some creative ways you can invite others to these opportunities?

– Conversation

How many conversations do you have a day?
What percentage of you conversations a day would you consider to be “meaningful” (about more than just sports, weather, gossip, etc.)?

How can you have a conversation this week that could be life-changing for a friend?

– Discipleship

What do you think that “making disciples” looks like?
How hard do you think this may be?

What is the great news (and promise) from Jesus regarding making disciples?

5 Interview Questions Every Candidate Should Ask

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A church recently asked me what questions their search committee should be prepared to answer when interviewing a candidate. Below are the top five questions I think every interviewer should be prepared to answer and every candidate should ask. (Also included are 50 more questions that will lead to needed discussion in an interview process.) While this was written in a ministry context, it likely applies to any job interview.

 

Don’t forget that an interview process is a two-way street. In the nervousness of making a good impression and thinking through answers to a million hypothetical questions, it is easy for a candidate to leave an interview having learned very little about the potential employer.

Go into an interview prepared to learn all you can about the history, identity, vision, and operational organization of a potential employer. Don’t shy away from asking tough questions and try to get as much as you can in writing.

While you will need to ask hundreds of questions in an interview process, if you forget every other question, these five will help you gain valuable insight into who they are and what they value:

1) What does success in this position look like?

How a search committee answers this question will give you valuable insight into who they are and what they really value. Each Pastor and each leadership team has their own ideas about what success looks like in ministry. This question not only ensures the search committee has come to a consensus on what success looks like, but also informs you of the clearly defined goal of the position.

2) How will my performance be measured?

This question cuts to not only organizational values, but also operational dynamics. Once you have an idea of what success looks like for your position, it’s important that you determine how your success will be measured. While ministry success cannot be fully measured with numbers and spreadsheets, you must know what defined metrics will be used to measure performance and success. You must also understand the process for measuring success, which superior and/or committee will be evaluating your success, and what opportunities will be presented for performance review/feedback along the way.

3) What (or who) will be the biggest roadblocks to my success in this position?

This question not only provides valuable insight for the candidate, but also helps the search committee keep unrealistic expectations in check. Chances are a search committee knows exactly what challenges and obstacles lie ahead for a candidate, even if they have not openly discussed them. Often times, in an effort to present the church in the best possible light to the candidate, these challenges are not openly discussed until after a hire is made. Many a Pastor has been caught off guard by significant challenges their first week on the job. As much as both the candidate and search committee want to make a good impression, information and transparency are critical in every step of the interview process. (You both will find out the truth about each other eventually.)

4) How will the church (leadership, etc) support me in overcoming these challenges / obstacles?

This question not only informs the candidate of what support they can expect, but also reminds the search committee that one person cannot solve all of the church’s problems. Discussing this question sets the tone for a team approach to ministry. A wise search committee will not see this question as a lack of confidence in a candidate’s ability to lead and solve problems, but a maturity in perspective on growing a healthy ministry. (Candidates: If a search committee does not know how to answer this question, offer to revisit the question at a later meeting. There is always a chance that if they had a good answer, the position you are discussing would not be vacant.)

5) What are the church’s expectations of my spouse?

If you are married, this could be the most important question you ask. How a committee answers this question gives insight into how the church views the position and how they view the family of the one in that position. If a committee has never answered this question, they may not even realize the expectations the church has been placing on ministers’ spouses. It is so important to define expectations and boundaries up front and ask the committee how those defined expectations will be communicated to the church at large. It is difficult enough for a minister to be faced with unrealistic expectations of a church. This is debilitating for a spouse faced with them. Clear and thorough communication on this issue could save you a lot of heartache in the future, both at church and home.

 

Note: Spend as much time preparing to ask questions as you do to answer them. Remember that you are interviewing them as they interview you. The more thorough the communication is during the interview phase, the more insight you will both have into each other and the less likely issues will arise from miscommunication weeks and months into the job. Below are about 50 other questions that will lead to needed discussion in the areas of identity, history, organization, and compensation…

For questions or prayer, hit me up.  https://trippatkinson.com/#contact

 

Interview Questions Every Candidate Should Ask

Identity / Vision (Who are you?)
  • How would you describe your identity as a church?
  • What do you as a church most value?
  • Find out all you can about the church’s beliefs:
    – Denominational affiliation
    – Doctrinal Statement
  • Do you have a target audience / demographic you are trying to reach?
  • *What does success in this position look like?
History (Where have you been?)
  • Make sure you understand the history of the church, especially the past 10-15 years. Particularly:
    – Changes in leadership.
    – Challenges or obstacles the church has overcome
    – Recurring points of division or contention
  • Make sure you understand in detail, the history of your predecessor.
    – Why is he (or she) no longer in the position?
    – What were his biggest accomplishments / failures?
  • What is the current perception of this area of ministry in the church?
Organization (How do you operate?)
  • *How will my performance (success) be measured?
  • *What (or who) will be the biggest roadblocks to my success in this position?
  • *How will the church (leadership, etc) support me in overcoming these roadblocks?
  • Make sure you clearly understand the organizational (personnel) chart.
    – To whom am I accountable and how does that work?
    – Who, if anyone, is accountable to me and how does that work?
  • Is there a written job description for this position that details responsibilities and expectations?
  • Is there a committee that I report to? If so, what is their role and responsibilities?
  • What are the expectations of office hours? Please explain.
  • Make sure you have a clear understanding of:
    – Staffing in your ministry area
    – Church Budget & Ministry Budget
    – Facilities
    – Current policies, etc.
    – Bylaws or governing documents.
Additional Important Questions:
  • *What are the expectations of my spouse?
  • How does the church handle staff development? (conferences, coaching, etc)
  • If hired, what do I need to do in my first 30 days?
  • What relational bridges need to be mended?
Compensation (How do you care for the staff?)

Don’t be afraid to talk business (salary package) fairly early in the process. I have seen churches and candidates spend a significant amount of time getting to know each other only to find they had radically different compensation expectations. Be thorough in your questioning of business details. And please, please get everything in writing so everyone is on the same page (literally).

  • Be sure to get clarity on the following compensation items:
    – Base salary
    – Annuity
    – FICA
    – Insurance
    – Housing Allowance
  • Ask about these additional benefits:
    – Vacation Time
    – Phone / Car allowance
    – Health Club Benefits
    – Education Funding (If the church does not currently offer educational funding, ask if they would consider setting up a scholarship fund through which money could be given for educational expenses.)
  • If you have children, be sure to ask if they offer additional benefits for children:
    – Childcare (or reimbursement) for ministry-related events
    – Scholarships for church camps, trips, etc in which your children participate
  • How does the church handle time away for:
    – Speaking engagements?
    – Wedding Officiating? (this is a common thing for veteran youth ministers)
    – Personal Spiritual Retreat?
  • Should this position require relocation, what moving expenses would be allotted and how would that work?
  • Does the church offer staff bonuses? If so, is this a set bonus or is it based on a performance review? What would I need to do to ensure I receive the maximum bonus?

Note:  As you work through questions in an interview, make sure to note any follow up questions or points of clarity that may need to be revisited as discussions progress.  Remember, clear communication and understanding up front paves the path for effective ministry when you are hired.

What else would you add to this discussion starter list?  Hit me up…  https://trippatkinson.com/#contact

*For more resources and encouragement, click here.

 

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