5 Steps to Getting the Right Person in the Right Role Have you ever had a nagging feeling that you forgot something? Many ministry leaders have this nagging feeling as they are preparing for their ministry programming for Fall Kick-Off. They may question: “Do I have the right people on my teams”? Or, “Do I have the right people in their most effective positions”? If you use AssessME.org correctly, there should be no doubt that you have the right people, in the right positions, and in the right teams. But when I say “correctly”, what do I mean? Please let me illustrate how I build my teams usin ..read more

Encouragement for Writers and Speakers: Insights from Cynthia Heald This excerpt is from a conversation that Joyce Koo Dalrymple, author of Women in the New Testament and Jesus’ Passion Week (LifeChange Bible Studies) had with renowned Bible study writer, Cynthia Heald. Joyce had asked Cynthia, “What encouragement do you have for someone who has this kind of calling—writing or teaching people how to study Scripture? What challenge or caution do you have?” And then Joyce follows up with another question, “What is something God is teaching you these days?” Cynthia’s responses to these questions ..read more

The Importance of Continuing Education for Pastors In today’s rapidly evolving world, the role of pastors extends far beyond traditional pastoral duties. As spiritual leaders, they’re called to navigate complex challenges, address contemporary issues, and guide diverse congregations. Embracing lifelong learning is not just a recommendation to help pastors – it’s a necessity for effectively ministering to congregants. Meeting the Needs of Diverse Congregations As communities become more diverse, pastors need to be equipped to address a wide range of theological perspectives, cultural nuances, a ..read more

How To Build Entrepreneurial Ministry Teams How to Build Entrepreneurial Ministry Teams. Church staff regularly request our recommendations regarding which personality profiles and leadership style profiles are best suited for the various leadership roles within their church. On the surface this may seem like an easy service AssessME should provide. But, in reality, it is not so obvious. Why? Because of the influence imposed by Organizational Personality. Every church possesses a unique Organizational Personality that defines their core systemic values. Each temperament exh ..read more

Walk This Way: Exploring the Power of Prayerwalking Recently the simple act of walking has gained renewed appreciation. But what if we combined this mindful movement with the power of prayer? This is where prayerwalking emerges, offering a unique blend of physical activity and intercession for our communities. More Than Just a Stroll Prayerwalking is more than a casual walk with muttered prayers. It’s a deliberate practice that integrates our physical steps with focused prayer based on intentional observation. Imagine walking past a homeless shelter, offering prayers for comfort and support. P ..read more

Why Submission in Marriage Isn’t Blind Obedience “I need help submitting to my husband,” my client said. I noted her sad countenance. “Tell me about your relationship with him.” The woman, I’ll call Alice, cooked, cleaned, and financially supported her family. Her alcoholic husband contributed nothing but temper and threats which successfully alienated their adult children. Now he demanded that Alice give up her one pleasure—Wednesday night choir practice at church. For over forty-three years this woman bowed to her husband’s requests. Whenever she balked, he quoted the only Bible verse he kne ..read more

A Modern Parable: Does Your Disciple-Making Make the Grade? Imagine with me that your family moved into a new community and was exploring schools for your children to attend. You and your spouse schedule an interview with the head principal of a prospective school. The day and time arrive for the appointment. You both nervously enter the principal’s office for the interview. As the pleasantries are eventually set aside, the serious questions begin: Parents: So, Dr. Smith, what makes your school so popular in this community. Dr. Smith: We have lots of exciting activities and events fo ..read more

Making Disciples of All People For years I led my church in what is sometimes called street evangelism. We would walk up to people we didn’t know and start conversations about God. As it happens, my church was also in the hood where there were a lot of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and Hebrew Israelites seeking to reach us with their messages. So we had to spend a fair amount of time studying other religions and what they believe, because when Jesus tells us that we are to “make disciples of all nations,” what he is really saying is that we need to make disciples of all people. Well, people fr ..read more

A Savior’s Understanding of Trauma Because God saw the pain and suffering I walked through, he provided the help, support, healing, and deliverance I needed. And he will provide complete healing when Christ returns. I can always rely on a Savior who identifies directly with the pain of the traumatized. Jesus left his throne of power and privilege in heaven, reestablished his presence with those he had created, and walked among them. He didn’t roll into town in a gold- plated chariot wearing fancy threads; he walked right into the messiness of a persecuted minority group—the Jews—living as they ..read more

The Flower Power Strategy Years ago, when I was a young pastor in my twenties, the Lord used me to start a new outreach church within a community devoid of healthy churches. Most of the people who came to our outreach ministry had little or no church background. What church experience community members had, they disliked passionately. As a result, I made it a point to promote Christ rather than our church. In my sermons and many conversations, I tried to work-in a key-phrase to emphasize my perspective: “There is a real God working in our real lives”. I was surprised, however, by the negative ..read more