Nowhere in Scripture am I instructed to shepherd only the agreeable sheep.

Hockey players are known to “play hurt.”.That’s also true in ministry. Sometimes we just have to play hurt. In fact, we often have to play hurt. Some days I think this is what pastoral work is all about. To stay in pastoral work means to play hurt in pastoral work.

Learn to base your success on your relationship with Jesus.

We are not tempted to do bad things as much as we are tempted to try things God has not called us to do. Richard Exley.

To lead people effectively, without being damaged in the process, requires regular withdrawal from the very people I’m trying to lead. J. Ortberg.

When my identity is wrapped up in whether or not I am perceived as successful, I am set up for the approval addiction.

WHAT AN ADMISSION!. "Part of the fear nagging at my heart — a bigger part than I want to admit — is that if the church doesn’t succeed, I won’t look successful.".

WE MUST OVERCOME . the tendency to confuse our “performance in ministry” with our worth as a person, to seek the kind of approval from people that can only satisfy when it comes from God.

It is not the ministry that makes me angry. It’s ME that makes me angry.

The Christian leader never equates mediocrity with the things of God, but is always committed to the pursuit of excellence. Ted Engstrom.

Successful leadership is not the same as a heart for Christ.

It is no commendation of our leadership if everything collapses when we are not there or when the time comes for us to leave. Derek Prime & Alistair Begg.

You can never arrive at a real plateau of leadership by insisting that others do your work while you take the glory.

Remember always that your work or ministry or position dare never keep you from your family. If you fail them, you fail your greatest responsibility – and you are a failure in life. Ted Engstrom.

Ministry starts with who we are, not with what we do.

Paul: “what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me” (2 Tim 3:11). Yes, there is danger in ministry. Yet, there is deliverance as well.