Church Jobs, Pastor Jobs, Ministry Jobs, Christian Jobs

Pastors are constantly trying to figure out how to do more in less time.  The job of a pastor has many demands on their time and many tasks to accomplish. There are so many tasks and things that need to get done – it’s hard to find an online program to manage all of these tasks and to-do lists.  Sure, there are the Evernote’s of the world which are very good in what they do.  But I wonder what online to-do task management program do you use and would recommend to other Pastor’s?

Post a comment and tell us what is your favorite program.

Our world is driven by success, personal recognition and financial accumulation. For Christ followers there is a far more important goal, no matter what our job or role: it is that of maximizing our spiritual influence – the most important result our lives could have.

This recognizes that life is not about me but about God. Rather than personal recognition or fame, our goal ought to be to lift up the reputation of God and make His Son look great! When we meet Jesus face to face as we all will sooner than later our own personal status will mean nothing but what we did to lift up the reputation of Jesus and make His name well known will mean everything. This focus on God rather than self is counter culture and radical but it is the mark of a true Christ follower.

Focusing on maximizing our spiritual influence means that we are always asking looking for ways to invest our time in ways that will have eternal value. When I spend time with my neighbors who don’t know Jesus, it is all about spiritual influence. When I mentor other leaders to help them become better leaders, it is all about spiritual influence. When my wife Mary Ann uses her mercy gifts with those in deep need it is all about spiritual influence. When I write blogs, it is about spiritual influence. My point is that every one of us has ways that we can uniquely have spiritual influence with others in our neighborhood, workplace, among our friends, through our mentoring or giving or hospitality. In giving ourselves away rather than selfishly living for ourselves we expand our eternal influence for Jesus.

We all have bank accounts. Our financial bank accounts will not mean anything on the day we meet Jesus. Our spiritual influence bank account will last for all eternity and is an investment in the Kingdom of God and the eternal destinies of others. I want to be rich when I die in my spiritual influence account. Not much else will matter. And all of us can be wealthy in spiritual influence.

Those of us in full time ministry need to ask ourselves regularly whether what we do is about us or Him. It is easy to fool ourselves that we are about spiritual influence rather than personal recognition simply because we are in full time ministry. Not so: we face the same temptation as others to make it about us rather than about him. In fact, it may be easier for us to fool ourselves because of our ministry vocation. Each day is a choice. Am I investing for spiritual influence or for something else?

Written by T.J. Addington, Leading From the Sandbox

You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t feel discouragement while you are unemployed. We attach too much of our worth and self-esteem to our jobs, and, consequently, when we are “in between opportunities,” it’s natural to feel anxious at times. But you do have daily choices: you can either convince yourself you are looking into an empty future, or you can believe that a better opportunity awaits you. I frequently tell clients that the distance between terror and exhilaration, between hope and hopelessness is often a fine line. Here are 10 tips on how to cope after a job loss:

1. Find selective places to talk honestly about your feelings.
2. Increase your knowledge about the job-search process.
3. Define what you can and cannot control.
4. Live each day fully. Take a fresh look at the success you have in areas other that work.
5. Do something for someone else. Volunteer time to worthy causes or organizations.
6. Build your own support system. Ask for help. Don’t hide out in the library all day and never let neighbors know you are looking.
7. Do something creative. Joanne and I sometimes work on big jigsaw puzzles. You’ll find energy for the search if you give yourself creative breaks.
8. Maintain exercise and good nutrition.
9. Maintain hope and optimism. Set achievable daily and weekly goals. Do physical projects where you can see the results immediately.
10. Look for the larger meaning in this transition process.

Looking Around but Feeling Down
Losing a job can lead to anger, resentment, guilt, and depression. Just recently I was working with a gentleman who, having lost his job, tried to reposition himself and do a job search, only to become discouraged after just a few days with no success. He was hiding out from his wife, pretending to be doing a job search, while in reality he was going to the library to surf the Internet and read magazines. He consoled himself in fast food and high sugar snacks and quickly added about 25 pounds. This, in turn, made him self-conscious about his weight and ill-fitting clothes. “I hated my job but am still angry about being let go,” he says.

This story is not unusual. New research confirms that losing a job can put people at an elevated risk for emotional and physical problems. Unemployment can start a vicious cycle of depression, loss of personal discipline, and decreased emotional health. “Depression can contribute to much longer searches,” notes John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray, & Christmas.

To break the cycle, take charge of the areas where you can experience immediate success. Increase physical exercise and note the satisfaction of increased vitality and creative thinking. Increase volunteering and feel the rewards of offering a helping hand. Increase positive reading and listening to inspiring audio tapes and find yourself with new ideas. Do special things for loved ones and feel their genuine support and encouragement.

None of these are directly related to getting a new job, and yet they are very much related. From these activities come the boldness, confidence, and enthusiasm necessary to present yourself well.

Written by Dan Miller

Spiritual gifts are given to us when we become Christians. Some Christians aren’t sure if they have spiritual gifts, but all Christians, that have been born into God’s family, have a gift to be used for the good of others. Do you know what your gift is? The Holy Spirit gives all gifts to us and the Holy Spirit decides which gifts each one of us should have.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
I Corinthians 12:4-6

Your gift will not be exactly the same as your spouse’s gift or your best friends gift. For example, maybe all three of you are Christian writers but the subject you write on is different, but it is still the same Lord you are writing about. Some people write to encourage, some people write to teach, and some people write to get the truth out there. All gifts offer a different kind of service that reaches out to people in some way. Your gift may lead someone to Christ and that’s why God gives us gifts, so we can build up His church.

We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve, if it is teaching, let him teach, if it is encouraging, let him encourage, if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously, if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:6-8

If we want to use our gifts efficiently we always must remember that all gifts and abilities come from God. We have been greatly blessed to receive such a talent or ability; therefore accomplishments should never be praised by oneself but by the power of God working in us. Without God we would not be able to accomplish such work because He is the one who enriched us with gifts and talents in the first place.

For in God you have been enriched in every way – in all your speaking and in all your knowledge.
Corinthians 1:5

To be able to properly apply our gifts and be of great Christian service to others we must dedicate our gifts to God’s service and not for our own self-seeking service or personal success. I believe the more we use our gifts to do the will of God the more He blesses us with abundance, prosperity, and knowledge. These too our gifts. Have you ever known someone who is unhappy that encourages others in the Lord? No. Have you ever known someone who lacks godly wisdom preach the good news of the gospel to others? No. We first must be gifted with an ability to be able to apply that gift into service efficiently.

To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness.
Ecclesiastes 2:26

We must use our gifts fully to do the work of the Lord. When we come to know what are gifts and abilities are we must always use them wholeheartedly in the Lord’s service, never holding back our gifts if we know it will serve to further God’s kingdom with. Once you identify what your gifts and abilities are ask God how you can use them to build up His church and further the growth of God’s spiritual kingdom here on earth.

Sometimes God wants us to use our creative ability to help bring people into the church, which is also a gift from God. In what ways do you think you can be inspired to use your gifts and further God’s kingdom? Since everyone’s gift is different, maybe combining two abilities and talents together might be very resourceful, what do you think? There are many ways that Christians can work together; using the gifts that God has blessed them with. Maybe you and a friend can put your gifts together and become very resourceful with your gifts. This is just one way in which we can use our spiritual gifts effectively.

The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. “Master”, he said, “you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.” His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your masters happiness!”
Matthew 25:20-21

Written by Angie Lewis

When I first began to practice the life of prayer in a very intentional way, I was working in a major advertising agency in New York City.  You probably wouldn’t have thought about it as a spiritual place, but it took up a large segment of my life. And a very creative life it was too.  I loved my job in spite of the anxieties I often felt. I had to meet deadlines, satisfy expectations, and convince other people to choose the best of several campaigns I was proposing.

At that time, I was eager for a closer relationship to God.  I did small things—and large things—to come closer to the life of grace.  I prayed.  I looked for times of solitude and silence.  I went to church often.  Sometimes I made retreats.  Daily I read favorite Bible passages, especially from the Psalms and the Gospels.

At one point, I came across the notion of spiritual gifts. Some are described in Galatians 5:22: “the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”  Later in the same passage I read, “let us be guided by the Spirit.”  Earlier in the Scriptures, in Isaiah 11, I found a description of the spirit of the Lord: “the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”  I was struck by these two lists, which seemed like descriptions of the transformed person.   I wrote them down on a three-by-five card and kept it with me as a reminder.  These were the qualities I wanted to have. My husband referred to them as my Baskin-Robbins ice cream flavors.

I loved his light remark.  But I understand that these qualities can’t be ordered by the scoop.  They really are gifts.  We don’t acquire them. They come to us by grace.

Even so, I think we can sometimes spot these gifts in the workplace.  Possibly it isn’t so easy to see them in ourselves, as in the fellow workers or managers that we admire.  One of the most inspiring figures in my own work-life was my mother, Helen Russell Dietrich.  She founded and ran three different companies—relatively small ones—and she always envisioned her work in terms of the benefit to others and not to herself.  One of the things I noticed about her was her humanity in dealing with members of her staff.  When an older woman applied for a job, my mother would sometimes create a job that suited her particular talents. And this was the way she behaved with staffing over time.  She noticed another person’s talents and tried to make space for them. I had a chance to observe her warm personal style at close range.  I worked as a consultant to her firms through much of my adult life, and directly under her, as Executive Vice President, for two years.  I knew many of her coworkers and members of her staff.  I knew how much they admired her and how she influenced them in positive ways.

My mother rarely talked about her faith.  She would probably never have made a Baskin-Robbins list of spiritual gifts.  Yet the warmth of her personality told me something about how she relied on God for everything.  She often turned to the Bible in difficult moments or when hard decisions had to be made.  I don’t think she saw her spiritual gifts as a result of her faithfulness.  No.  It was the other way around. God gave her generous scoops of his grace. And she expressed her thanks whenever she opened the Bible to a passage she loved.

Written by Emilie Griffin

I was in a restaurant recently when I glanced over and noticed a family of four at another table, each person’s head bowed. I thought, “Oh, they’re praying together before their meal.” But, when I happened to look back later, they were still looking down. Suddenly I realized: they weren’t praying. They were all typing into their phones! They were oblivious to one another, each person connecting with people who weren’t even there. Maybe you’ve seen the same thing—perhaps even in your own family.

With always-on access to global news, information, and even to other people, it’s normal (even easy) for us to lose focus on the world right in front of us. When we’re constantly flipping channels, we start treating our attention like currency, careful not to spend it all in one place. Just as a look in your checkbook can reveal what you truly value, honestly assessing your daily activities and interactions can show you which things (and people) you really care about.

My wife Amy helped me see this in my own life. For years it was normal for me to only half-listen at home. Occasionally she would ask, “Are you listening to me?” I’d respond with a relationship survival skill I had adapted: I’d repeat back to her the last several words she had just said. But we both knew I wasn’t giving my undivided attention.

Then one day she asked me a very different question. She calmly explained, “You have a lot going on with the church. I’ll always support you. But when you’re with our family, can you be all here?” Her request was perfectly fair and reasonable.

Wherever you are, be all there.

That one tiny idea radically transformed the way I now conduct my everyday life. It immediately strengthened my relationships and, over time, even improved my capacity to make tough decisions. In the cloud of endless to-do’s where most of us live, our minds are so cluttered that we overlook the joy just in being alive today. Be honest: Even as you’re reading this article, do your thoughts keep trying to wander to everything else happening in your life?

In our culture, that’s normal. Normal people are distracted, rarely fully present. We all have to fight getting pulled into the orbit of that constant gravity of busyness. Urgent tasks and priorities desperately cry out for our attention. Maybe it’s a chicken-or-egg situation, but I believe all that noise harms our well-being more than the legitimate stress of all the things we actually “have to do.” If you want to be different, you have to live differently. Weird people learn to silence distractions and remain fully in the moment.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.” (Ephesians 5:15–16) To leverage that advice when we make decisions, we need to answer: What is the wise thing to do in this situation? And what would it mean to “make the most” of this particular opportunity?

Christ had to make difficult decisions about how he would spend his limited time on earth. His example has a lot to teach us. But we have to take the time to discover what things are important to God by reading the words he gave us. We must also invest time meditating on what those things mean in our everyday lives. Then, the next time the chaos of urgency tries to dictate your next action, you can press pause. Having already thought about which things are most important, you’ll be able to make intentional decisions. (Urgent does not necessarily equal important.) Even if a decision carries you another step forward, it’s not progress if it leads you away from where you actually want to go.

In another letter from Paul, in Colossians 3:17, he suggested, “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” When I focus on the things I believe are important to God, I live differently. I don’t make decisions based on my feelings, insecurities, or selfish ambitions. Instead, I tend to favor others who have greater need. The conversations I have lend themselves to deeper, intimate connections—not simple, superficial information exchanges. “Did you go by the cleaners?” gives way to genuine care: “So, how was your day?”

Just as important as your to-do list—and perhaps more important—what’s on your to-don’t list? When you focus on the purposes you believe God created you for, you’ll have the stability to say no to some good things. And that will give you the space to be able say yes to the best things when they present themselves. Rather than just reacting to the waves of things that come, you can ride them with deliberate intention.

James 4:14 reminds us, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” We can’t have more time, but we can live with a greater awareness of the limited time we do have. Every opportunity that arrives on your doorstep will require some decision. If you’ve already decided what you value, you can fully enjoy each moment, secure that you’re living the life you want. God gives us an amazing present every day. Normal people leave this gift unwrapped, unrealized, unappreciated, and it’s gone before they know it. Weird people know there’s no time like the present.

Written by Craig Groeschel, author of WEIRD: Because Normal Isn’t Working.

I was doing an annual performance review last week with one of the managers, and, well… you know how these things go. We went over his objectives from last year, his areas for development, the priorities and accomplishments he is shooting for next year, blah blah blah. It was going stale, as these things sometimes do. So I threw in a zinger.

“What is the biggest risk you took last year?” I asked.

The droning stopped for a moment as he looked up at me, initially with a look of shock and horror, then quickly morphing into excitement.

Ah. Now we’re getting somewhere.

“Well,” he began, “It would be that time I confronted John about moving ahead with the xxyy idea. That could have blown up in my face, but it ended up having a huge impact.” We went on to talk about what made it risky, how he weighed the pros and cons, how he calculated the upside to his career.

I then told him about a risk I recently took. I am still not sure if it was a good career move or not, but time will tell.

If we are not taking risks once in a while – you know, facing the gaping abyss with palms sweating, heart racing, gasping for breath – then we are probably not growing in our careers. Or in life.

Think of it as an adventure.

When taking a risk, will you be perceived as a rabble-rouser or a visionary? Here are some guidelines to know if you are taking a smart risk:

1. You have a strong conviction. If you are doing your job, you should be constantly scanning, observing, reading the marketplace to develop insights and ideas about what could be done differently, or better. You have valuable opinions, ideas and recommendations. So don’t hold back.

2. Involve a trusted ally. Once you have formulated an idea that rocks, run it by some respected friends (those with credibility in the organization) to make sure you are not going off the deep end. Sometimes our mind can play tricks on us, or our political experience has not caught up to our ambition, s0 it’s a good idea to get an objective reality check.

3. Back it up with evidence. This may seem counter-intuitive, since the very idea of risk says that we don’t have enough data to guarantee an outcome. But no one in your organization will buy into a decision or new direction without some level of research to build a case for taking the next step.

4. Check your intentions. Be honest with yourself. Are you motivated for the greater good of the organization, of the customers, the shareholders and the other team members? Or are you just doing this to make a big fuss about yourself and grab attention? The best protection against a risky move is to back it up with an unquestionable commitment to the best interests of the organization rather than showcasing your ego.

Now, get out there and make it happen.

Written by Bradley J. Moore, Shrinking the Camel

Teaching in a Christian school system is especially fulfilling for individuals who want to openly integrate their Christian faith into all areas of their teaching. Christian educators may freely discuss issues of faith and morality with their students, encouraging kids to relate biblical principals to issues in education,  and their personal lives. Because of the religious aspect of Christian education, a potential teacher needs to consider topics beyond the secular confines of his field before an interview.

School Philosophy

It is important to grasp the philosophy behind a Christian school before your interview so you can communicate your ability to support and promote this philosophy. Christian schools exist not only to educate children in reading, writing, math and the sciences, but to teach them how to learn and process these subjects through a biblical world view. A Christian educator must express his ability to teach his subject with a Christian perspective during his interview. He should discuss the ways he would relate his subject to biblical ideas and values and how Christianity sheds light on various lessons related to his field.

Possible Questions

A good way to prepare for an interview as a Christian educator is to brainstorm questions that might be asked, such as:
“How did you become a Christian?”
“How does your faith in Christ impact your daily life?”
“How would you discuss issues of faith with students?”
“How does your faith impact your understanding of the subject you teach?”
“What is your philosophy of education?”
“How do you envision yourself contributing to a faculty team?”
“Why do you believe it is important for kids to receive a Christian education?”
“What is the role of parents in a child’s education?”

Considering these questions will help you prepare thoughtful responses for your interview.

Personal Impression

Christian schools look to hire teachers who not only have a head understanding of faith, but act upon a heart understanding. A Christian teacher must demonstrate biblically sound moral and ethical values for students and fellow faculty members.

When approaching an interview, a potential Christian educator needs to demonstrate honesty, integrity and an others-centered attitude. He should represent himself fairly, but demonstrate humility and teachability toward growth and further development. These characteristics demonstrate a Christ-like attitude that is appropriate for a Christian educator.

Emily D’Antuono

It’s easy to live a Christian life on Sunday morning.  In fact, in the US, it’s pretty popular. It’s not till you enter the workweek that the trouble begins.

“And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men: Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”
Colossians 3:23-25

That’s a tough passage to follow, but at least gives us a promise … along with a warning.

Whatever we do, we should do it heartily as unto the Lord.  It’s not just the company you’re working for.  It’s not that rude boss.  It’s the Lord.  He is the one you’re working for and will receive your reward from. I hate to say this, but Christians haven’t always been a light in a dark world in this area.  In fact, in some cases Christians have a bad reputation when it comes to their work life.

They call in sick just as often.  They slack off and don’t get their work done.  They gossip about the boss or co-workers behind their back. And they’re most definitely not doing their work as unto the Lord.

But think about the promise we’re given here also.  He is the one who will provide us the reward.  If you work hard and the boss steals the credit, the LORD is still the one that can bring the reward.  And there is a payday someday for the person who stole your work as well. This is a reminder we need to keep in front of us everyday.  We’re working for the Lord … and our reward comes from Him.

You may own and run a business like I do.  This applies to us as well.  We have partners, employees, and customers.  But we’re not simply working for them.  We’re working for the Lord.

One of the biggest misconceptions in the Christian world is that we separate ministry work from “secular work” like somehow being in the ministry is better … or you’re more spiritual. Each of us is called to whatever God has created us to do.  For some people that means they preach from a pulpit or act as a missionary or work in the church building.  For others that means they work in a 9-to-5 job.  And still others are called to be entrepreneurs. No one is greater than any other because of their calling.  Jump over to I Corinthians 12 sometime to see people fighting about their jobs like we often do.

BUT the scripture above applies to everyone equally. No matter what your job or business, you are there because you are working for the Lord.  This reminder does so much for me. It means my first responsibility is to the Lord and I’m not allowed to “just do enough” to get by.  I must seek excellence since He is my boss. It also means that what I’m doing right now is important.  It’s vital to God’s mission for the Kingdom (no matter where you are right now). And it also gives you the ability to make it through struggles and trials, because God is your rewarder.

It doesn’t matter if everyone else sees.  He does.

Terry Dean

Today a job search can be lengthy and difficult. Human resources professional Trina Selstad emphasizes that “following sound job search advice and staying personally encouraged is more important than ever.”

Selstad provides the following job search tips:

1. Focus on quality not quantity. One tends to think that by sending out resumes by the hundreds one is bound to get results. However, the opposite approach is much more effective. Take the time to truly customize each resume and cover letter.

2. Proof and re-proof resumes, applications, cover letters and all correspondence you send to potential employers.

3. The internet makes the job application process very impersonal. When possible, follow-up and confirm the receipt of your resume in person or by phone.

4. Stay organized. Keep track of where you apply and with whom you follow-up. Make a list of weekly goals and tasks that you want to accomplish.

5. Thoroughly prepare for each job interview. Research the company and carefully consider responses to potential interview questions.

6. Interviews are often offered on short notice. Make sure your interview outfit is professional and ready-to-go.

7. Be Flexible. Sometimes accepting a lower paying or less than ideal job is worthwhile in the long term. There is definitely a value to working in your field of choice, even if the position is not everything you hoped for.

8. Don’t put your life on hold until you find work. Allow time for activities that you enjoy. Stay connected with family and friends.

9. Practice good nutrition and exercise regularly. This may not seem relevant to a job search but it actually is. You’ll need your stamina now while looking for work and you’ll need it when you start your new job.

10. Remember that your worth as a person is not determined by whether you are employed or presently unemployed, nor whether your job reflects your full potential. You are a unique creation with value beyond measure.

Permission to publish this article in full or part, electronically or in print, is granted provided the following statement is included:

Trina Selstad has more than a decade of experience in human resources and is the author of “The Bible Believer’s Job Search Handbook” recently published by WestBow Press.