Pastors

THE TOP-10 “LAST WORDS IN YOUR CHURCH”

Pastoral lines you may not be around long enough to regret.

Sometimes words have to be eaten. Other times, they turn out to have teeth that bite. From an unscientific sampling of a few contributing editors, LEADERSHIP offers here the most frequent phrases in ministry that become preludes to a fast farewell.

10. I think I’ve earned the right to say this.

9. Thank you for the unanimous vote of confidence.

8. We’ll incorporate a seeker sensitive approach into our present worship service.

7. In ancient Israel, the people danced before the Lord.

6. Recently, I’ve been reading about the importance of publicly confessing your own sins, so today …

5. I’ll show the church secretary who’s boss around here!

4. I’m sure I can trust you to keep this confidential.

3. Then there are no hard feelings, right?

2. I’m sure Mrs. Jones will agree that she’s been our organist long enough.

1. They need to realize this kitchen belongs to everyone.

Copyright © 1993 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.

Also in this issue

The Leadership Journal archives contain over 35 years of issues. These archives contain a trove of pastoral wisdom, leadership skills, and encouragement for your calling.

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ICONS EVERY PASTOR NEEDS

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GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD PASTORS

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ZONED OUT

THE LANDMARK SERMON

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The Unique Network of a Small Church

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CLOSE UP

TO VERIFY

A CLEARER CALL FOR COMMITMENT

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A WOUNDED PASTOR'S RESCUE

THE SLY SABOTEUR

TO VERIFY …

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW

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MAKING SENSE OF THE TRAUMA

Standing in the Crossfire

BENEFITS OF AN INTENTIONAL INTERIM

THE BACK PAGE

WARS YOU CAN'T WIN

UNLIKELY ALLIES

THE HIGH-TURNOVER SMALL CHURCH

Handing Your Baby to Barbarians

TO ILLUSTRATE…

PEOPLE IN PRINT

TO VERIFY…

ARE PASTORS ABUSED?

BUILDING YOUR ALL-VOLUNTEER ARMY

HEART TO HEART PREACHING

HIDDEN EFFICIENCIES OF PRAYER

IDEAS THAT WORK

WHEN YOU TAKE A PUBLIC STAND

REKINDLING VISION IN AN ESTABLISHED CHURCH

WAYS TO SHAKE OFF THE DUST

WHAT’S DRAMA DOING IN CHURCH?

THE DANGER OF DETAILS

THE BACK PAGE

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

SQUEEZE PLAY AT HOME

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PRACTICING THE ORIGINAL PASSION

MAKING PEACE IN A WAR ZONE

THE WELL-FED IMAGINATION

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SAINTWATCHING

CAN YOU TEACH AN OLD CHURCH NEW TRICKS?

Spiritual Disciplines for the Undisciplined

BREAKING THE GRUMBLERS’ GRIP

WHEN YOUR CHILDREN PAY THE PRICE

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IDEAS THAT WORK

THE TIGHTER ZONING DEFENSES

BUSTING OUT OF SERMON BLOCK

PEOPLE IN PRINT

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REVERSING CHURCH DECLINE

THE JOY OF INEFFICIENT PRAYER

IF YOU HAVE A GRIPE, PRESS 2

CULTIVATING CLOSENESS

WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE A FOREIGNER

BAPTISM IN A COFFIN

SONGS THAT FIT THE FLOW

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THE QUEST FOR CONTENTMENT

THE CUTTING-EDGE TRADITIONAL CHURCH

CAN SERVANTS SAY NO?

PEOPLE IN PRINT

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A MODEL WORSHIP SET

WIRING YOURSELF FOR LIGHTNING

A Pastor's Quarrel with God

DIAGNOSING YOUR HEART CONDITION

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