Jason I am both a speaker and a comic as well. I started out serving in my small church and now I travel through out the state. I agree Michael and thank you for sharing this. I was at the Summit this past Spring, and the value is worth far more than they charge. It was even worth the airfare, car rental, and hotel. (I live in Oklahoma) I'm new on the professional end of speaking, but not new as a speaker. I almost talked myself out of going because I thought I was too new. My attendance at the Summit was in obedience to God and he has blessed that beyond measure. I could not soak the information up fast enough, and I am using most of that today as I go out and speak more and more. This was much needed rocket fuel and the dividends have been amazing.
Dynamic Communicators Workshop is my next stop in October and I know it will be worth far more than what we are paying.
That goes both ways though - sometimes it is the worship leader who doesn't know how to maintain Christlike relationships. We can't place all the blame on the women.
Great thoughts - I've walked that path - we all start niave and hopeful - at least a lot of us do. I did anyway, and it does not matter whether the office is ministry based or secular based - the bada bing factor can hit all of us when we least expect it. The trick too is I learned I'm more likely to call a boundry in secular than I am in ministry - I had to stop being so niave in that regard. Men are men - collar or no collar. And so are women. Churches could learn a lot from the corporate world, and vice versa, I'm sure. Anyway I liked your post - wanted to tell you that you aren't alone.
There are some really awesome posts here. Great topic. One I wish I'd known about 8 years ago. Christ is key - so is maturity, honesty and strong boundaries.
I will add this is a two way street - women are just as easily tempted. I view myself as pic #2, my hubby disagrees. Love that man. I have stronger boundaries and rules today for male/female friendships and work relationships. Hot or not. They have to be happily married, mates have to be included in the relationship, we are never alone, and my deal breakers are trip all over yourself to talk to me when no one is looking and ignore me in front of your wife - it is hasta la vista baby.
I can't lay this as a blame game in that only men are tempted - women are too, it's foolishness to believe otherwise.
Way to be brave Carlos - thanks for the post.
We had a guest speaker Sunday - Tony McMullen (freeinchristministries). Tony is an x-con (drug dealer/murderer) and has an amazing testimony on the forgiveness of Christ as well as owning our choices - ie.. don't let other people make your choices for you. Satan never shows you the consequences. Very powerful message. Our youngest is walking a line of rebellion that has me in tears some days - Tony struck a chord in him - and our other youth - that was really good. Brought home the core lie that "God left something out in me, I'll never be_____." ____It was interesting watching my "tough / too cool" teen interact with Tony - he was intimidated. I have not seen him act submissive around a man in long time. His mode today is more of a "bring it!" than anything else. (He grew 6 inches last year and it now taller than us.) My trick - let God work and not try to hammer home the points past the edge of deafness. God has him... I need to trust that.
The "Childish Wonder" really spoke to me in the interview as did the God as an artist aspect. I don't have many books that could be classified as apologetics and the ones I do are for the most part seminary level reading. I'm intrigued.
too funny. Our denomination is rather traditional. Praise teams are new - Mission plants with a full praise service and not liturgial - is unheard of. And yet we are doing it. I think it's cool.
I meant to type Praise Team.
My reasons change with the seasons. But..for our particular church
1. To support my husband who is on the praise tea.
2. They are mission minded and sponsor a MIssion Start which is a shared passion for both of us.
OTW - I'd be in a non-denominational.