Mark Conner Books

Successful Christian Ministry

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I have grown up around church leaders and ministers. I'm a PK, a 'preacher's kid', or a TO, as my dad used to call me, a theological offspring'. I have also been involved in a variety of church ministries both as a volunteer and as a staff member for over twenty-five years now (I started very young!). I led the worship ministry of our church for five years as a volunteer (age 20-25), while working full time at National Mutual insurance company in the city of Melbourne. Then in 1985, I came on full time staff at our church, where I have served in a variety of roles over the last twenty years, including worship, youth, administration and pastoral care.

Along the way, I have often asked myself. "What are the keys to having a high impact and long lasting ministry?" From my perspective there are seven principles that are essential for anyone who longs to have a life and a ministry that has a significant impact. I have articulated these principles in my book Successful Christian Ministry. It will be a help and inspiration to anyone involved in any sort of ministry – within the church, the community, or the marketplace.

Copies of this book can be obtained from WORD Australia bookstores or from Koorong here in Australia. In the USA, you can order this book from Amazon in paperback format or in eBook format.

For a free summary of the principles outlined in this book, click here.

Mark Conner Humour

The Difference between a Chorus and a Hymn

Music_art2An old farmer went to the city one weekend and attended the big city church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was. "Well," said the farmer, "It was good. They did something different, however. They sang praise choruses instead of hymns." "Praise choruses", said his wife, "What are those?" "Oh, they’re OK. They are sort of like hymns, only different," said the farmer. "Well, what’s the difference?" asked his wife. The farmer said, "Well, it’s like this – If I were to say to you, "Martha the cows are in the corn" – well that would be a hymn. If on the other hand, I were to say to you, "Martha, Martha, Martha, Oh Martha, MARTHA, MARTHA, the cows, the big cows, the brown cows, the black cows the white cows, the black and white cows, the COWS, COWS, COWS are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn, the CORN, CORN, CORN." Then if I was to repeat the whole thing two or three times, well, that would be a praise chorus."

The next weekend, his nephew, a young, new Christian from the city came to visit and attended the local church of the small town. He went home and his mother asked him how it was. "Well," said the young man, "It was good. They did something different, however. They sang hymns instead of regular songs." "Hymns," asked his mother, "What are those?" "Oh, they’re OK. They are sort of like regular songs, only different," said the young man. "Well, what’s the difference?" asked his mother. The young man said, "Well, it’s like this – If I were to say to you, "Martha, the cows are in the corn," – well, that would be a regular song. If, on the other hand, I were to say to you:

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Mark Conner Family

Schooling Choices

SchoolWell, the 2008 school year is not far away. It doesn't seem that long ago when Nicole and I were talking about schooling options for our toddlers. At that time we managed to get a hold of a book called Schooling Choices edited by Dr. Wayne House which outlined various arguments for (1) home schooling, (2) Christian schooling, and (3) government schooling – from three different authors, who then interacted with each other's viewpoint. We found the dialogue very interesting and informative.

Our children are now 18, 16 and 14 years of age. We ended up doing a little home schooling in our children's early years, then sending them to a Christian school for most of their primary schooling. For their last few years of high school we have made use of government and Catholic schools. This is mainly because of the 'fish bowl' that they lived in, being pastor's kids and attending church, youth group and Christian school all on the same campus. We found that involvement in a different school in their latter years has been very helpful and has actually helped to strenghten their personal faith.

Ultimately, each child is unique and parents need to prayerfully consider the needs, interests and maturity of their child, as well as all of the vailable options before making their decision.

Happy schooling!

Mark Conner

 

Mark Conner Church, Leadership

A Balanced Perspective of Church

Balance_scalesSo you're a pastor. What are you supposed to do with this thing called "church"? Is it a family to simply enjoy and have fun with? Is it an army to try to take the world with? Or is it a business? Gaining a proper perspective on church can be quite a challenge but it is essential.

Read the following Scripture slowly … "But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs" (Phil 2:25).

Paul describes his team member, Epaphroditus, by three words, each portraying three different aspects of their ministry relationship that we need to keep in balance as we lead our churches.

Let's unpack this a bit further …

1. Brother (Community – Pastor). We are brothers and sisters in Christ. We have the same Father, because we have all been "born again" by the Spirit (Jn.1:11-13) and adopted into God's family (Rom.8:15. Eph.3:14-15). We are related by the blood of Jesus. The church is to be a close-knit community of people who see each other as family. This is not just a job. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. A great family has a strong sense of community. This can be created by loving one another deeply (through encouragement and kindness), sharing our lives with each other (through openness, interest and care), serving and helping one another and sticking together no matter what (through loyalty, integrity and forgiveness). Pastors and leaders determine the "relational warmth" of their church. Think about what you can do to turn up the sense of community in your congregation.

2. Fellow-Worker (Corporation – Manager). Epaphraditus was working and labouring together with Paul in the same occupation. They were associates and companions in work. The church is not just a "community" or family. We have a job to do. We are here to work together in the business of the church. The church not only has a "community" aspect, but also a "corporation" aspect. Some people don't like the idea of a church being likened to a business, but that fact is, that it is a business – God's business and it's big! Jesus said that he must be about his Father's "business" (Luke 2:49). Many of Jesus' parables gleaned examples from the businesses of his day (fishing, vineyards, property management, farming, agriculture and finance). A great "corporation" requires things such as a good work ethic, good organisation, good policies and procedures so that things run smoothly and consistently, great customer service, proper accountability (clear lines of responsibility and accountability), good financial management (budgeting), good communication and strategic planning (goals and objectives). Most people (including church staff) have little appreciation for the corporate side of things. However, it is extremely important. Making a "profit" means we get to minister another day. The gifts of leadership and administration are given by the Holy Spirit and are vital to ensure we build a good "corporation" (Rom.12:8. 1 Cor.12:28).

3. Fellow-Solider (Cause – Leader). Epaphroditus was a soldier in God's army fighting for God's cause in the world alongside Paul. The church is not just a "community" and a "corporation". We have an urgent cause to fight for. The gospel must be taken to our community, city and nation(s). We must declare the truth and stand for righteousness. We must push back the forces of the enemy and advance the kingdom of God on planet earth. Fighting for a good "cause" requires commitment, passion, focus and a sense of urgency (2 Tim.2:3-4). Visionary leaders and pioneers always push us out of our comfort zone and into the frontlines of the battle. They heat up the cause and the mission we've been called to fight for.

These three views must be held in delicate tension. As leaders, we must ensure that a balance of these perspectives is maintained.

  • Too much "community" without "corporation" and we become slack and unproductive.
  • Too much "community" without "cause" and we become complacent and self-centred, accomplishing nothing.
  • Too much "corporation" without "community" and we become rigid and unfeeling, lacking warmth.
  • Too much "corporation" without "cause" and we become efficient but ineffective.
  • Too much "cause" without "community" and we burn out and abuse people.
  • Too much "cause" without "corporation" and we fall apart.

Each person is ignited by different things based on their personal calling and gifting. Pastoral people are more "community" minded. Administrative or managerial people are more "corporation" minded. Visionary leaders and pioneers are more "cause" minded.

What's your strength? What's your weakness? It is vital that you build a team of people around you that will ensure a balanced perspective so that your church is healthy and moving forward in effectiveness. Get with your leadership team and rate your church from 1-10 in each of these three areas. Then determine what you could do in the next few months to improve your weakest area.

Together, let's seek to enhance our sense of community, excel in our corporation and run passionately towards the cause given to us by Jesus Christ.

Mark Conner

Mark Conner Leadership

Don’t Quit!

RunningBeing a leader or ministry volunteer can be very rewarding and fulfilling. It can also be a source of frustration and extra stress. In other words, ministry can be very draining – spiritually, emotionally and physically. What are some of your frustrations?

Come on, I give you permission to have an official approved "whinge session" – just for a few minutes! Make your own list. Okay, so there’s occasional poor attendance at meetings, difficult people, time pressures, periods of no numerical growth, financial pressures, criticism, low commitment and conflict, just to name a few. These things all add up and often they’re enough to discourage even the most motivated person and to even push us to the point of wanting to quit.

As we read the Bible, we see a wonderful honesty and vulnerability from God’s leaders. They openly share both the joys and the pressures of ministry. Just ask Paul, Peter or James!

What were some of Paul’s pressures and frustrations? Persecution (such as beatings, riots, imprisonments, floggings, getting stoned – with real stones, that is), life-threatening situations (such as getting shipwrecked, being in danger, cold and naked, hungry and thirsty), sleepless nights, slander and lies from opponents, false doctrine and immorality in the church, along with defection of team members, just to name a few (see 2 Cor.6:3-10; 7:5-6; 11:23-29; 17:7-10. 2 Tim.3:10-12).

How did Paul respond to these pressures? He refused to quit or give up (2 Cor.4:8-9,16-18). He said, "None of these things move me" (Acts 20:24. NKJV). He determined to "stay the course" and finish the race God had given him to run (Acts 20:22-24. See also 2 Cor.7:5-6).

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