Transformed Interviews Charles Stone

Posted on May 14, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Pastor, what Frustrates you in ministry? You probably began your ministry believing you’d make a kingdom difference. That dream may now seem elusive. Perhaps your journey has brought more frustration than happiness, and you wonder if it’s time to move on, or out. Have you searched the Web for openings in other churches recently? Thought about selling insurance? Getting your Realtor’s license?

Every church is different, and the situations you face are unique to your setting, but common threads are found in many churches. Using customized, commissioned research from the Barna Group and others, veteran pastor Charles Stone points to five potent killers in pastors’ lives:

1. A head-in-the-sand mentality that denies problems

2. Emotional investment in the wrong issues

3. Unhealthy responses to ministry frustrations

4. A Lone Ranger attitude that says “God and I can handle this”

5. Attitudes and actions that lead to lonely, hurting spouses

Stone then uses his thirty years of pastoral experience to unpack these problems so you can regain real hope and energy to continue in your calling. No unrealistic advice or simplistic solutions. Just hard questions and straight answers that will lead to healing and restoration for you and your congregation.

We encourage you to listen as Dr. Matthew Lee Smith talks about 5 Ministry Killers and How to Defeat Them with Charles Stone …

Links:

You can learn more about Charles and the church where he is the Senior Pastor at: Ginger Creek Community Church.

You can purchase this book at: Amazon and Bethany House

Because of the incredible importance of this topic, we would encourage you to tell a friend about this interview.

Remember, we are here to Encourage Achievement in Godly Leaders by Emphasizing Servanthood. We would like to invite you to sign up for periodic email notifications of our new-release resources as they become available. Just add your email to the “Sign Up Via Email” box on the right had side of the EaglesInLeadership.org website and follow the prompts.

Posted in Book Reviews, Interviews, Transformed | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Vision is All About Where You Look

Posted on May 10, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, PhD

Faith is all about seeing what God has placed before you. Vision, in other words, is our faith employed through our attention to the details God has placed before us. But the question is, ‘What are we looking for?

  • First, we need to look up! In worship we discover the heart of God. Magnifying God’s character and compassion invigorates us to ‘go and do likewise.’
  • Second, we need to look out! God’s heart is always ‘on mission’ to bring his lost children home. Who around you yet knows of God’s love for them. God yearns to be reunited with them.
  • Third, we must look in! The life of God is always found in His family. As we look at what God is doing among the membership of our local congregation, we often find His vision. The easiest way to gain God’s vision among us is to join a small group of God’s people.
  • Next, we must look around! As we minister to one another and care for our family, friends, and even our foes, we discover what breaks God’s heart. What breaks God heart is where God’s vision.
  • Fifth, we must look at! Jesus is the incarnation of the vision of God. As we walk his walk and follow his example, as reflected in the Gospels, we mature in such a way as to discover the direction and determination of God.
  • Sixth, we must look for! Such an energetic and passionate love from God requires many to be involved in spreading His message. Mentoring future leaders (proteges) impresses upon our heart and soul the things that are vital to the heart of God.
  • Finally, we must look after! Once we start something, we must maintain it. Stewardship is all about doing things well and completely. God’s vision is ‘to do all things well.’

Vision is all about seeing. Where we look helps us see as God sees!

Posted in Leadership Blog | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ernie Harwell Steps Into His Eternal Reward!

Posted on May 6, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Listen to Mike Powers Interview with Ernie Harwell by clicking the play button below …

(This testimony was written by Jacqueline J. Repp of MLB.com)

For, lo, the winter is past,
 The rain is over and gone; 
The flowers appear on the earth;
 The time of the singing of birds is come,
 And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.

After 55 years of broadcasting Major League games, including 42 years with the Tigers, Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell has entred his eternal reward with Jesus Christ.

Often referred to as the Voice of Tigers Baseball, Harwell, 92, would open each season by reciting the “Song of the Turtle,” a stanza that celebrates the freshness of spring, renewed life and opportunities, and ushers in the baseball season for Tigers fans the world over.

Respected by the players, beloved by the fans, Harwell has had a lasting impact on the world of baseball.

“Ernie Harwell stands, as much as anybody as I can think of, as a positive representative of what the game of baseball should and does stand for,” said Bill Freehan, a Tigers catcher from 1963-76, upon the announcement of Harwell’s upcoming retirement. “His memory will be long lasting and the quality of man he is will never diminish.”

“Ernie is probably the most beloved person who has ever been in Detroit with the Detroit Tigers,” Al Kaline said. “He is loved by everybody and rightfully so. He’s a great broadcaster but even a better person. That comes across on his broadcasts.”

To the broadcasting community, Harwell is an honored example of greatness. He received the Ford C. Frick award for broadcasting excellence from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981. He was the first active broadcaster to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown and has been inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame (1998), the National Sportscasters Hall of Fame (1989) and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (1989). He has been named the Michigan Sportscaster of the Year 17 times. To the fans, Ernie Harwell is a baseball icon at the level of greats like Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth. His unmistakable voice and fast-paced play-by-plays have made him a cornerstone in Tigers baseball.

Dedicated fans are known to bring radios to the ballpark or mute the sound on the television to instead listen to Harwell’s broadcast of the game. His friendly, open demeanor and genuine interest in the fans have made him a true fan favorite. At Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, the Tigers’ Spring Training facility, Harwell is often stopped for a friendly handshake or a request for an autograph or is presented with fans standing on the back of seats to peer into the press box for a glimpse and friendly word with the beloved broadcaster.

Harwell’s contributions to Tigers baseball and the fans will be celebrated with special events at Comerica Park throughout the season. In addition, this tribute to Ernie Harwell: The Voice of the Tigers will allow fans to send Harwell messages of farewell, best wishes and gratitude to honor his long service to Detroit and his place in baseball history.

“All in all, it has been a great run for me,” Harwell said. “But most of all, I think I owe thanks to the people who have listened to me over the years, who tuned in on the radio. They have given me a warmth and loyalty that I’ve never been able to repay. The way they have reached out to me has certainly been the highlight of my life.

“If somebody wants to pay attention to me, I’m human enough to like the attention, for heaven’s sake. It’s nice to read good stories about yourself. I really look at myself as somebody trying to do their job, that’s all. I’m lucky maybe to be in the spotlight a little bit.”

Jacqueline J. Repp is a Marketing Producer with MLB.com.

Posted in Interviews, Mike Powers | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I’ve Been Dreaming …

Posted on May 5, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, PhD

For the past few years I have been praying and dreaming about what a healthy church ministry would look like. At this moment, as I am between ministries and looking ahead in anticipation of the next five to ten years of ministry, I find there are eight focal points to a healthy ministry for God.  While these areas are not exhaustive, they seem to me to be central to the work God has prepared me to do. As you review these points, I know they will resonate among the hearts of  men and women who desire to do a great ministry for God.

A healthy ministry views …

  • Effective Prayer as central – Creating / developing / enhancing corporate, small group and individual prayer is central to seeing with God’s eyes and feeling with God’s heart so we can be ‘on mission’ and following God’s will for our lives as a church.
  • Passionate Worship as intentional – Magnifying God’s name and bringing the whole of our worship time to bear on ‘the Big Idea’ of the day becomes central to our weekend worship efforts. This includes long-range planning so as to include and develop maximum involvement of our church family in our worship times to bring glory to God.
  • Joyful Fellowship and Followership opportunities as vital – Creating unity breeds joy and pleasure, strength and higher morale when men, women and teens are afforded planned and intentional settings where they can mix and mingle, reflect and regroup, hope and hear from one another and God through camping, retreats and opportunities that allow us to rub shoulders with one another as well as work and play together as the family of God.
  • Enhancing Spiritual growth as critical – Building opportunities for the men, women and teens of our fellowship to grow in their spiritual aptitudes and appetites, interests and inquiries through courses, trips and situations where they are able to ‘work out’ their faith for the very real world we encounter every day.
  • Reproducing Discipleship as key – Training men, women and teens to become reproducing followers of Christ, able to understand and know what following Jesus is all about, as well as sharing the care and compassion of Jesus with others so that they too are won to his leadership and love. Such training seeks to develop these men, women and teens so that once they have lead their friends to Christ, they can disciple them in the faith.
  • Developing Leadership as essential – Scheduling and developing regular times of formal leadership training, taking men, women and teens on appropriate ministry and leadership development seminars, conferences and activities are viewed as non-optional, all the while understanding that Biblical leadership development is the process of servant leadership.
  • Enthusiastic Outreach and Assimilation as the heartbeat of ministry – Seeking to fulfill the Great Commission is one of the greatest opportunities in this life by finding creative and relational ways to bring our people in contact with those who have yet to open their hearts and heads to the love and leadership of Jesus Christ.
  • Pastoral Encouragement ministry as important – Drawing a team of men, women and teens around the pastors to pray and encourage, support and serve so that the hearts of the pastors are encouraged – this allows them to lead us to meet the challenges and callings God has for our people as a whole, thus lifting the whole church to the next level.

As you read my list I am sure there are other things that come to mind. Perhaps your pulse increased as you reviewed this list. I know that every time I reread and refine this list – I first wrote it months ago – fresh hope and excitement fill me. I have turned these into prayer points for my next ministry. As I contemplate where God wants to place me next, I look to this list and (a) see if I see signs of these things present, or (b) ask about a willingness to walk down these paths with the churches I talk to. If you know of such a ministry looking for a senior pastor with this type of heart, feel free to email me or leave me a comment below.

Posted in Leadership Blog | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Free Download of the Month – May 2010

Posted on May 4, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

The Hole in Our Gospel just received the Christian Life Book of the Year award from ECPA!


The Hole in Our Gospel
by Richard Stearns and read by Tommy Creswell
Published by Thomas Nelson and distributed by christianaudio
This is a story of how a corporate CEO faced his own struggle to obey God whatever the cost, and his passionate call for Christians to change the world by actively living out their faith. Using his own journey as an example, Stearns explores the hole that exists in our understanding of the Gospel.

Coupon Code: MAY2010

Discount Price: $0.00
Retail Price: $14.98

Posted in Resource | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Cycles of Destruction

Posted on May 3, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, PhD

Many churches and ministries that are stagnant or in decline often follow a cycle of destruction to their death. It would be bad enough if the organization went through this cycle only once. However, beyond the realms of sanity, toxic groups seem to repeat this process time and again before facing oblivion.

The Eagle Leader will do their homework and investigate a ministry’s health and viability before attaching one’s self to it. The cycle of destruction begins with …

Unrealistic Expectations. Dying ministries have set the bar so high for the leader, that no matter what is done, it isn’t enough. Most of the complaints are simply ‘nit-picking’ by the perennially unsatisfied. Even the eagle leader fairs poorly in such a negative environment. This leads to …

Disparaging Gossip. Since these grumblers are ‘surprisingly’ upset, they think, ‘Why not share it with others, for prayer, of course.’ Each new morsel is seasoned with generous portions of fresh venom, lightly disguised. Such news needs to be shared with other ‘concerned’ members. As the negativity grows, the ministry suffers from …

Inevitable Disappointment. Whispers in the corners, phone calls and group meetings fan the flames of this downward spiral against the leader. People begin to form allegiances and soon the church or ministry reveals …

Fractious Divisions. People who love the new leader and like the new direction the ministry is taking push back. As word spreads, sides are taken. People begin to share their anger and divide the congregation even further. For the leader, this is a …

Discouraging Rejection. At the breaking point, the leader simply hands in their resignation and hopes for greener grass at the next ministry. With the leader’s departure comes the attending departure of those who had sided with him. Of course, at the ministry he has just left, this leads to …

Optimistic Restaffing. The toxic ministry takes this as a sign of hope and rapidly searches for a ‘better leader,’ someone that will understand and work to ‘grow’ the ministry, all the while not comprehending the poison of death lurks in the remaining members.

And once the new leader is chosen, it begins all over again … only to injure the new leader and the dying ministry even more. It would seem that after two or three such cycles, with the resultant shrinking of the ministry, someone – anyone – who is left would ask the really important question: “What is wrong with US?” Alas, this seldom happens. Instead, blame continues to be the medicine of choice. Soon the ministry ceases to function at all and the cause of Christ gains another black eye, since those in the local community see that Jesus was not able to keep it alive.

Posted in Leadership Blog, Multi-ethnic / Urban | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A MUST Read: Money, Purpose, Joy by Matt Bell!

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Matt Bell has written a must read – must study book here! It’s subtitle, “The proven path to uncommon financial success,” explains the value of this book. Using time-tested principles from both the Bible and from secular writers, Bell shows us the importance of living out our values.

Starting from a very different location – our heart and soul – this book helps the reader answer the most important questions BEFORE they take the accounting journey one finds in almost every other resource. Harkening back to my days of elementary school, I can almost hear Matt asking us (the readers), ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ Using two very specific questions: ‘What truly matters?’ and ‘What matters most?’ Bell helps us focus on what’s really deep inside. And once these heart dreams are locked down, the rest is practical math and diligence!

Money, Purpose, Joy shows us how to reach our real desires, goals and values through practical, easy-to-understand steps. Once he helps us cement our real goals down, Bell then takes us through the process of achieving those dreams. Using humor and real life transparency, this is a book men will appreciate. Guys, don’t miss the story of Matt’s life traveling the world as a golfing magazine reporter.

Definitely a 5 out of 5 stars for this book! A MUST read and study.

You can order Matt’s book here!

You can learn more about Matt’s ministry and receive his free newsletters here!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Timeline of Transformation

Posted on April 26, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith


So you’ve decided to begin a new ministry in an established organization. You have high hopes that God will do wonderful things. As you unpack your things in your new office, it helps to know that in every new ministry there are five phases to the transformation process.

Phase 1: Enthusiasm and Trepidation. This is true of both the people you serve and in your heart as well. As a deacon once told me when I started at a new church as senior pastor; “Choosing a new pastor is like buying a sack of cats. You don’t know what you’re getting until you get to know them.”

As you connect to people, there are few big changes happening. Its a time of growing and learning for all involved.

Phase 2: Realization. As time passes, changes begin to appear. With each new change, individuals inside the ministry begin to make choices as well. Some will long to return to the past methods or question why you were chosen. A few will also suggest that a new leader be chosen.

While you meet some resistance, you also need to know that the reason God placed you in this new position is to bring about the transformation He so longs to see in the people you now serve. Some of your opposition will be satanic. Review Solomon’s assumption of power (1 Kings 1-2) for an understanding of the principle of consolidating your leadership quickly.  These can be difficult days unless you focus on the new leaders that God is raising up and the new excitement in the established leaders around you.

Phase 3: New Core Forms. Through your faithfulness and God’s favor, a new core of leaders begins to form. This will include the excited established leadership as well as those men and women whom God has touched and gifted to follow your vision.

The transformation of your ministry comes because some people are ‘promoted’ to glory while others leave because your vision and theirs don’t mesh. Momentum begins to happen as more people are attracted to the fresh dream of God and more trained leaders step up. This is actually the ‘tipping point’ in your ministry. It leads to the next phase.

Phase 4: Fresh Growth. Each new leader brings new spheres of activity, touching new people. With those new people come new directions. Each direction adds new excitement. This type of excitement brings new challenges … and with each new challenge comes fresh faces and new lives touched by the Spirit of God.

Such growth is electrifying. God seems to be working in so many places. Problems are overcome with more victories. Each victory brings new hope. The harvest of your faithfulness begins to overflow. Trust in your leadership continues to grow and you experience …

Phase 5: Greater Growth. Ultimately, the steps which you took to start this ministry harvest have been continued and refined, yielding even greater results. Your leadership team has grown and changed, procedures have been adapted and adopted, all resulting in valuable experience. This translates into further possibilities.

Transformation is a process of hard work and faithfulness. The eagle leader enjoys the harvest of their strategic leadership through the phases of transformation.

Posted in Leadership Blog, Multi-ethnic / Urban | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Transformed Interviews Dr. W. Mark Elliott – Part 2

Posted on April 23, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

We welcome Dr. W. Mark Elliott back to Transformed today. Mark is the author of Confessions of an Insignificant Pastor. He is a veteran pastor of twenty-seven years and has served churches as small as three and as large as six thousand. Mark has ministered in twelve countries and enjoys speaking to gatherings of pastors.

Being a pastor these days is difficult. Look at these statistics:

  • Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month!
  • 80% of ministers feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors.
  • 80% of new pastors will leave the ministry within their first five years!
  • 80% of pastors’ spouses wish their spouse would choose another profession and feel their ministry spouse is overworked.
  • 70% of pastors constantly battle with depression!
  • 50% of ministers would leave the ministry if they had another way of earning an income!
  • 85-90% of pastors said their greatest problem is dealing with problem people and disgruntled people.

Dr. Elliott has two Masters Degrees and an earned Doctor of Ministry from Grace Theological Seminary. Mark grew up in the rolling hills and cave country of southern Indiana and is a self-confessed sports maniac! Mark and Claudette have four children and reside inn Oshkosh, WI. You can learn more about Mark, order the book and contact him here: at his website.

You can order your copy of Confessions of an Insignificant Pastor here. We know you will want to get some copies of this book for your church leaders and ministry people.

“Risky business is writing a book like this one! If you think a prophet speaking truth to power is high-risk, listen here to a prophet who, by telling the truth to a church in power-failure, speaks power to truth. I loved this book!”

~ Dr. Leonard Sweet, Drew University, George Fox University, http://www.Sermons.com

Posted in Book Reviews, Interviews, Transformed | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Transformed Interviews Dr. W. Mark Elliott – Part 1

Posted on April 16, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

We welcome Dr. W. Mark Elliott to Transformed today. Mark is the author of Confessions of an Insignificant Pastor. He is a veteran pastor of twenty-seven years and has served churches as small as three and as large as six thousand. Mark has ministered in twelve countries and enjoys speaking to gatherings of pastors.

Being a pastor these days is difficult. Look at these statistics:

  • Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month!
  • 80% of ministers feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors.
  • 80% of new pastors will leave the ministry within their first five years!
  • 80% of pastors’ spouses wish their spouse would choose another profession and feel their ministry spouse is overworked.
  • 70% of pastors constantly battle with depression!
  • 50% of ministers would leave the ministry if they had another way of earning an income!
  • 85-90% of pastors said their greatest problem is dealing with problem people and disgruntled people.

Dr. Elliott has two Masters Degrees and an earned Doctor of Ministry from Grace Theological Seminary. Mark grew up in the rolling hills and cave country of southern Indiana and is a self-confessed sports maniac! Mark and Claudette have four children and reside inn Oshkosh, WI. You can learn more about Mark, order the book and contact him here: at his website.

You can order your copy of Confessions of an Insignificant Pastor here. We know you will want to get some copies of this book for your church leaders and ministry people.

“Risky business is writing a book like this one! If you think a prophet speaking truth to power is high-risk, listen here to a prophet who, by telling the truth to a church in power-failure, speaks power to truth. I loved this book!”

~ Dr. Leonard Sweet, Drew University, George Fox University, http://www.Sermons.com

Posted in Book Reviews, Interviews, Transformed | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment