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Leadership Dev Archives - mjreed.com

Matt 0
6
#Influence
October 29, 2015

Defining Ministry

A big takeaway from the SALT conference was the affirmation of creative ministry as actual ministry. I've been a staff pastor in two churches, but in addition to that, I've also held roles that are primarily administrative and creative. Over the years I've been surprised at the number of people who try to diminish the value of those non-traditional ministerial roles. Most…
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Matt 0
5
#Influence
October 28, 2015

Confidence and Confirmation

For years I've said, "Trust God with what you know and He will take care of the unknown." I've always believed that if you take action on the things you know you're supposed to do, then your obedience aligns your direction no matter how unknown the future may appear to be. Proverbs tells us, "Trust in the Lord with all your…
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Matt 0
12
#Influence
June 17, 2015

Painting a Pretty Picture

Art portrays humanity in a way that few mediums can.  A painting can illustrate both the complexity and simplicity of life with its flaws and triumphs.  There's no shame in the imperfections because they illustrate the whole story... the whole truth. Many times in leadership we try to "paint a pretty picture" of situations in the hope that others will…
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Matt 1
9
#Influence
June 7, 2015

Leadership Defined

Have you noticed how everyone is a leader now? In many businesses and churches there is an emphasis on turning employees or members into leaders.  Then when everyone has become a leader, we create leaders of leaders.  It's a model that has served many well, but can be limited in scope... especially from a biblical perspective. One of my favorite…
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Matt 0
6
#Influence
May 31, 2015

Conjecture, Twitter, & Biblical Illiteracy

Let me start by saying I've bombed my fair share of sermons over the years. There have been those moments where words have come of out my mouth while preaching that left my leadership team asking for further interpretation. There are also times when I've hit it out of the park completely in tune with what needed to be shared. People have thanked me years later for biblical truths I've preached that impacted them. They've also reminded me of funny illustrations that are unfortunately more memorable than the sermon lesson that accompanied them. Preachers are not perfect and mistakes will be made. However, it's imperative that our twenty-first century gospel is in tune with the heart of the first century gospel because we are…
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Matt 2
10
#Influence
May 24, 2015

Judgement, Potential and Listening to Sermons

I recently got my hands on a sermon intended for teens that included a portion of text from a book (which I'll leave unnamed) with an illustration about an accountant who gets to heaven and stands before God. God calls for "Robert the Missionary," but the man doesn't step forward. After God calls again for "Robert the Missionary," the accountant…
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Matt 1
14
#Influence
March 18, 2015

Identity, Job & a House Built on Sand

I had a thought today that gave me a little insight into the book of Job. That book of the Bible has always been a bit of a mystery to me simply because I haven't had much of a connection to Job. I haven't lost nearly as much as him and I don't feel like God has had many conversations…
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Matt 1
11
#Influence
May 5, 2014

Growth

Last year early one morning, I ventured out of our room to peek into Elliot's room and found him curled up on the floor with his favorite blanket. It had been one of his first nights in a twin bed. Apparently the floor felt more like his crib. As I picked him up and put him back in his new bed, I couldn't help but think,…
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Matt 2
11
#Influence
May 1, 2014

A Blessing for the Meek

"Let's be honest" tends to be a convenient precursor to rudeness, negativity and gossip rather than life-giving direction or affirmation. Those who abuse "honesty" have owned that word for far too long. It's time for the meek to take it back. A pastor once told me that meekness isn't weakness; it's power withheld or power under control. In other words,…
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Matt 0
8
#Film#Influence
April 17, 2014

Pastor David Jones

If you've ever attended North Central University in Minneapolis, then you are familiar with the name T.J. Jones. (more…)
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Matt 2
11
#Influence
March 8, 2014

Our Calling

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post related to my calling (as a prelude to this post.) My experience really got me thinking about what we understand a calling to be. (more…)
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Matt 3
10
#Influence#Life
February 15, 2014

My Calling

There are moments in life long forgotten yet their impact is never-ending. It was just a few words, and I'm guessing the missionary who spoke them would hardly remember them today. (more…)
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Matt 1
9
#Influence
December 3, 2013

Hate, Love, God, Family, Ministry

I recently heard a message in a church on Luke 14:26 where Jesus uses the word "hate" in a unique way to illustrate the cost of being a disciple: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.." Most modern interpretations…
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Matt 0
3
#Influence
November 3, 2013

I Believe You

I follow it irregularly, usually watching the first and last few episodes of each season, but I'm a huge fan of The Voice. It's a show that has set itself apart from others in the same genre. It's original and genuine, much like its judges.  Their unscripted and spontaneous interactions make the show what it is. They are amicable with each…
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Matt 2
11
#Influence#Life
May 17, 2012

The Avengers Initiative

Hidden in The Avengers is one of the greatest lessons for those who find themselves in a position of leadership in any organization. It's revealed thanks to Joss Whedon's stellar screenwriting.  As Tom Hiddleston (Loki) puts it, "He was trusted with the responsibility of combining the various tones and colors of different characters, many of whom have lead their own films,…
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Matt 0
0
#Influence#Life
January 21, 2012

Sufficient Quality Pt 1

Technological advances in the last few years have allowed non-professionals to create video, photo, and web content just short of professional grade, but short enough for no one to notice. (more…)
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Matt 0
0
#Influence
January 18, 2012

SOPA, PIPA, and 13%

If you're on the internet today you'll have trouble avoiding online protests against two copyright infringement bills trying to pass through Congress.  I've been reading up on this for the past few months as momentum has been building from online giants like Facebook, Wikipedia and Google strongly opposing the bills (the bills are supported by the likes of the MPAA…
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Matt 4
1
#Influence
May 14, 2011

Burnt Out on Burnout

When I was in high school, my dad overheard me telling someone that I got "yelled at".  He later corrected me, because, as he pointed out, he didn't actually raise his voice at me.  I explained to my dad, a school teacher, that being "yelled at" only meant I got in trouble.  The phrase had transitioned from the literal meaning…
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Matt 4
0
#StuMin
December 15, 2010

Student Ministry Parent’s Guide

Anytime a parent signs up their teen for sports or even a new school year, the school administration has all the dates, times, and financial expectations laid out for them to see.  I wanted parents in our student ministry to be able to have the information for an entire year of "programming" in their hands at the start of the…
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Jill 1
0
#Influence
March 10, 2008

Medisin

Okay, so here's something interesting I've been learning in the hospitals I've worked in. Medicine and Ministry are a lot alike. We're taught, in the medical field, how absolutely important cleanliness and sterility are. We're taught how the body works and how to teach others to keep theirs working in the best health they can. We strive to help others…
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