The Place of Prayer in Our Leadership
Charles Stanley discusses the importance of prayer in ministry and leadership as part of his "Ministry of Prayer" series.
Introduction to Leadership in Ministry
- Moving into leadership roles as pastors
- Challenges faced by pastors in a church environment
Congregational Struggles and Leadership Expectations
- Dealing with congregants facing personal struggles (e.g., abuse, abortion, homosexuality, etc.)
- Navigating leadership with people who don't understand spiritual principles
- Conflict with deacons and board members who don't share the pastor's vision
Personal and Family Expectations on Pastors
- Unrealistic expectations for the pastor and their family
- Challenges with balancing humility and poverty
Challenges Unique to Modern Ministry
- Drug problems, staff issues, and dealing with AIDS victims in the congregation
The Necessity of Prayer in Ministry
- Emphasizing the importance of prayer for leadership and success
- Personal testimony of how prayer impacts ministry
Biblical Example of Leadership: Joshua
- A detailed look at the story of Joshua and how his leadership principles apply to ministry
- Encouragement to rely on God's Word and promises
The Role of Prayer in Overcoming Ministry Challenges
- Prayer as a solution to various ministry hardships
- Personal stories and examples illustrating the power of prayer
Certainty of Calling and Leadership Strength
- The importance of being certain of God's call in ministry
- Handling conflicts and trials with strength and courage
Leadership Dynamics and Challenges
- The need for pastors to be strong and courageous, while avoiding being seen as dictators
- Dealing with spiritually shallow congregants and overcoming business-like approaches to church leadership
Personal Example: Obeying God’s Will
- Personal testimony of how obedience to God leads to success in ministry
- Illustrations of how faith and prayer can result in miraculous outcomes, such as acquiring property for the church
Final Lessons on Leadership and Prayer
- The significance of staying on one’s knees and relying on God for guidance
- Importance of surrounding oneself with praying people
Conclusion and Final Prayer
- A call to pastors to commit to obeying God at any cost
- A closing prayer for strength and wisdom for those in ministry
*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.
About the Contributors
Charles Stanley
Dr. Charles F. Stanley is senior pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta and founder of In Touch Ministries, both located in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Stanley’s heart’s desire is to get the gospel to “as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, as clearly as possible, as irresistibly as possible, through the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God.” Because of this goal, Dr. Stanley’s teachings are transmitted as widely and effectively as possible. He can be heard weekly at First Baptist Church Atlanta, daily on “In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley” radio and television broadcasts on more than 2,800 stations around the world, on the Internet at intouch.org, and through the In Touch Messenger Lab. Dr. Stanley’s inspiring messages are also published in two award-winning publications-In Touch devotional and In Touch Magazine—as well as the more than sixty books he’s authored over the years.
Contributors
