Comments on: Successful Ministry - 4

By: Heather Turner

Heather Turner — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:18:10 +0000

Getting to know Christ in a more intimate way makes the struggles we face on the journey to our destiny well worth it! This week marks our 1 year anniversary at Lifechurch.tv. This year has had it’s challenges as well as happy, fun times. I’m learning to trust Christ in a real way. It’s encouraging to know that even in our hardest times He’s drawing us closer to him. We’ve seen some great answers to prayer this year and I am so thankful! Pastor Craig, your teaching is inspiring and challenging…Thank you =).

By: Stovall Weems

Stovall Weems — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:32:09 +0000

These things are just so true. Thanks Craig-

By: Stephen Smith

Stephen Smith — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:56:03 +0000

Craig, your blog was just what I needed to remind me of WHO i serve and why i serve HIM. i have experienced many attack in the last few years of the minstry that God has allowed me to be a part of. I have cried and asked God; “Why?” I realize that we must go through to get to. My “private pain” has brought me closer to the ONE who can ease my pain! Thanks for allowing God to use u.

Stephen

By: Ejvis

Ejvis — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 23:34:14 +0000

This could not be more true! Thank you for writing this. It encouraged me today.

By: Brad Martin

Brad Martin — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:06:56 +0000

Great set of posts. Seen many difficult times in ministry and it’s been the quiet still times w God that have carried me through. Early in my ministry it was all about being discovered, now it’s about being developed!

By: Straight Up » Blog Archive

Straight Up » Blog Archive — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:30:06 +0000

[...] Private Cost of Public [...]

By: Ken Ritchie

Ken Ritchie — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 04:19:19 +0000

Thanks Craig.

I am preparing to start a church in a troubled area of our town that seems to be forgotten by most churches. I complained about it and then God called me to stop whining and get in there.

Anyway, we’ve almost got a location hammered out and we (my wife and I) have already seen many areas of our own lives that were standing in the way of the Gospel, which God is now allowing us to shed. It is scary and exhilarating.

Please pray for us as we continue on.

Ken

By: Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:24:43 +0000

Bill, I am so thankful that God has changed your life! Thanks for making my day with the great comment!

By: Magdiel Lopez

Magdiel Lopez — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:45:21 +0000

Thanks!!

By: Magdiel Lopez

Magdiel Lopez — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:44:36 +0000

WOW, thas so true.
And i think is harder things to acomplishe in the ministry

By: Jared B

Jared B — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:28:05 +0000

This also pushes me to make so many more sacrifices…I always love reminders like these. Thanks!

By: Jared B

Jared B — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:25:54 +0000

Ahhh crap.

On a serious note, the devil has definitely been pushing visible/ public success in my mind instead of private devotion.

It’s weird how you can know what’s right and know to do it and how to do it (and want to do it) yet not do it. It’s because I wasn’t aiming for it. I’ve been partly aiming for public success. What a crock.

No mo. “Where there is no vision, the people will perish…” Prov. 29:18.

My vision is to follow God’s hand and if it leads to public success awesome, but I will always rejoice in the fact that I’ve been following God.

(See, it’s even weird to say that, because I HAVE had that vision (to honor God in the private ways), but my heart has still been pushing the other way. I must pray, pray, pray! I will be praying for God to keep my heart, eyes, ears, mind and body and spirit on praising Him and focusing on pleasing Him instead of reaching public success. Please pray this for me as well!)

God bless you all! Keep praying for the Kingdom and this Christmas write out a “Dream list” you have for the Kingdom! (And keep in mind Prov. 16:3!)

By: Lori Eilers

Lori Eilers — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:00:08 +0000

After a tough couple of years, I totally understand what you are saying. I can now be thankful for some of the hard stuff that goes with ministry as I have seen first hand God’s faithfulness. Thanks for all you do and have done for the Kingdom.

By: Robin Meadows

Robin Meadows — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:21:21 +0000

Same for raising a family….as you well know

By: Lori Biddle

Lori Biddle — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:08:11 +0000

This could not be more relevant to where the leadership of our church is right now. We spare the congregation, but carry heavy, silent burdens for the sake of the church. In ugly circumstances we choose to keep silent, making tough decisions, being honest with the congregation without revealing ‘our side’ of the story at times for their sake. And every time we choose the right response the congregation is blessed. Desiring only to stand blameless before Him!

By: Bill Gallagher

Bill Gallagher — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:26:32 +0000

Thank you Craig for the trials and sacfrifices you have endured to make Lifechurch what it is today. You have no idea how your ministry has touched and changed me as a person, father and Christ follower. I know that God is going to continue to bless the snot out of all that you and your team are doing. Keep up the amazing work!

By: Travis Hurst

Travis Hurst — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:45:52 +0000

Spoken from true and transparent experience. Thanks Craig, you are a shining example for so many future pastors.

By: Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:25:31 +0000

Bill, I feel the same way about my wife. I am so thankful to have shared the joys and pains of ministry with her. It is one of the bonds that keep us intimately close.

Camey, Thanks for the prayers this morning!

By: Lex

Lex — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:19:27 +0000

Thanks, Craig. That 30 second read choked me up. We’re making some difficult (but good!) changes in our student ministry right now and I think I’ve been overwhelmed by all of those things in the past couple of weeks! It’s invaluable to know we’re all in this together!

By: blake

blake — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:01:01 +0000

good reminder that in order to grow a ministry like any of the pastors that i look up to - i am going to have to endure some pain and make some tough decisions.

thanks for this.