I find a common communication practice quite funny—creating phrases with words that really don't go together, and yet, still make sense. For example, "alone together," "definite possibility," "real phony," "small crowd," "jumbo shrimp," or "turn up missing." These are just a few phrases that we call oxymorons; figures of speech in which contradictory terms appear together. I recently moved from Chicago to Orange County Ca, and discovered another oxymoron—"affordable housing"!

I want to share with you an oxymoronic equation necessary for you to succeed in ministry. In fact, what I have discovered in my years of ministry is an absence of this equation will result in short-term ministry.

Self-confidence + Humility = Kingdom Advancement

What I propose to you is this: It takes the combination of the first two, not one or the other, to complete the task God gave you. Jim Collins, in his book Good to Great, describes a level five leader (the highest level in a hierarchy of executive ...