* * T H E  P R E A C H E R ' S   S T U D Y * *
    * * E Z I N E * *
  "Energize Your Preaching!"
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  http://preacherstudy.com
  Third Tuesday of February, 2001
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Published on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
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Editor's note: The material in this Ezine is copyrighted. Reprint by author's permission only. You may forward it in its entirety to friends and associates. Please do not cut the articles out and paste them into other documents or publications without permission.
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IN THIS ISSUE:

[1] Greetings from the Editor

[2] Featured Article: 14 Important Leadership Principles for Preachers

[3] Preacher's Study Website Updates

[4] On Subscribing to Our Website

[5] Contact Information

[6] Subscribe to this Ezine

[7] Copyright Information
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[1] *=*Greetings from the Editor

Greetings to all who regularly read this ezine. Special greetings to new subscribers.

A good mentor can pull a mediocre ministry out of the doldrums and put it back on track. Time and geography however, can make getting such help difficult if not impossible. In such cases, the next best thing is possessing the writing of someone whom you respect and whose ministry you admire.

In this issue I am presenting the class notes of veteran evangelist, William E. (Bill) Paul, a good friend of mine and one I have long appreciated for his clear grasp of truth and boundless energy in presenting it. If you knew him, you would appreciate him, too. Bill has taught young preachers for many years, so I consider the permission he granted me to reprint the article below something very special. Once you've read it, I think you'll agree.

God bless.

--Dave

[2] *=*Featured Article

14 Important Leadership Principles for Preachers

By William E. (Bill) Paul

These are random practices/procedures/attitudes used by Bill Paul during his 40 year ministry. They have been helpful in working with people effectively, accomplishing objectives, and having a positive influence for good in the Lord's work. Take them for what you can get out of them! They have worked for me (when I have worked them)!

1. DO IT NOW. Whatever is worthwhile or deserves your attention or calls for decisive action...take care of it immediately. The way many people operate:
Week 1 - Talk about it;
Week 2 - Think about it;
Week 3 - Make some plans;
Week 4 - Set a time for doing it;
Week 5 - Take action (maybe).
"Talent" and "Procrastination" are a poor mix!

2. DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. "If you don't have time to do it right, when will you ever have time to do it over?" ILL. College class material, prepared 40 years ago, is still being used today, because it's usable! Make your effort suitable for future use.

3. CONTINUE TO RECEIVE INPUT. Read books and magazines, listen to others, take classes, attend rallies, workshops, seminars, etc. Keep current, look for new ideas, methods, practices, procedures. Write down thoughts, file material, acquire usable information.

4. LEARN TO NETWORK. Get all the information you can from every source you use. Use contacts to gain contacts. Obtain all you can from those who can help you be better informed or prepared.

5. RECOGNIZE THE TALENTS OF OTHERS AND THEN UTILIZE THEM.  Observe closely to see what people's abilities, strengths and weaknesses are. Involve people in what they like, are good at or have an interest in. People are productive when doing what they do best.

6. APPRECIATE WHAT OTHERS DO THAT IS WORTHWHILE AND EXPRESS IT. Say "Thanks a lot," "You did a good job," "I really appreciate what you did,"  "You' re a big help around here,"  "I really value your ministry (or service, help, cooperation, etc.)"...and MEAN it!

7. LEARN TO DELEGATE WITH SENSITIVITY. Be aware of what else people have to do. Don't overload them. Don't expect more than they can do. Be aware of the problems, frustrations, difficulties they are having, then help them or relieve them from the responsibility.

8. AVOID SHOWING PREFERENCE OR PARTIALITY.  Treat all people the same.  (If you have a special friend, maintain that relationship privately.) Spend the time and give the attention based on their needs, not only on the enjoyment you get from it. Don't "play favorites" or  be "cliquish."  Someone usually gets hurt.

9. LIGHTEN UP.  Try to maintain a cordial,  amiable,  amicable, congenial relationship with people. Be a friend, don't just have friends. Attempt to make the time you spend with people enjoyable to them. (Of course, serious times, involving some controversy, will always be necessary.) If people like you, and like to be around you, they will be more willing to do what you would like them to, like it or not!

10. TREAT PEOPLE WITH KINDNESS AND COURTESY. Always say "Please" when you ask someone to do something. Serve them first, ask what they like, give them your seat, hold the door open, pick up what they drop, offer to carry their package, let them ahead of you in line  (if necessary), talk about what interests them, listen attentively to them, make them comfortable, etc. Don't be bossy.

11. BE DECISIVE IN ALL YOUR DEALINGS. Let people know the time, place, people and circumstances of plans you are making that involve them. Substitute "Friday night at 7" for "sometime"; "I'll talk to him" for  "someone should talk to him";  "I agree  (or disagree)" for "I don't know what to think about it", etc. Avoid leaving people hanging about what they can or can't do.

12. STAY POSITIVE, EVEN ABOUT NEGATIVE PEOPLE AND SITUATIONS. Don't "get mad" at your associates who disappoint you, cause you problems, fail to fulfill their assignments, show insensitivity to needs, or generally perform below your expectations. Remember, you are both on the same team. Show some patience and longsuffering.

13. KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES. Don't become known as an isolationist. Correspond or meet with friends, companions and associates as often as possible. Keep the door of communication open. Show them by what you say and do that you want to help them in their ministry, work, service, activity. Attend their functions, show support for their projects, cooperate with their endeavors and be interested in their "thing" (as much as time allows).

14. BE FLEXIBLE.  Learn to adjust easily to other people's leadership styles, personal preferences and unexpected decisions. Develop the ability to flow with inevitable change, differing methods, new concepts and approaches to ministry proposed by those you work with. Learn to distinguish between what must stay the same (truth) and what can be altered (method, procedure, approach). The older you get, the harder you have to work on this one.

Permission to use this article was generously granted to The Preacher's Study Ezine by William E. Paul. Requests to reprint should be addressed to him at williamepaul@foxinternet.net. Please do not cut articles out of this ezine and paste them elsewhere without permission. You may, however, forward this entire Ezine to others freely.

[3] *=*Preacher's Study Website Updates

Two new items were added to the Premium Area of our website since the last issue. These may be viewed only if you are a Premium Subscriber.

"Is Divorce OK?" A reminder of the serious nature of God's commands on this subject along with exhortation to be compassionate to the "victims." From Mark 10:1-12.

"Twilight Years" covers the final years of Abraham's life and admonishes all of us to make these years count for God. From Genesis 25:1-11. Final message in a series.

[4] *=*On Subscribing to Our Website

This ezine, The Preacher's Study Ezine, is actually an extension of my Website, The Preacher's Study. The two entities work hand-in-hand to promote what is unashamedly my greatest passion: promoting accurate, interesting, relevant preaching of God's Word. If you enjoy these articles, please do visit the Website. You'll find some quality of material there. Yes, there is a modest subscription fee for access to part of it, namely the Premium area, but I believe that, as our current Subscribers testify again and again, you'll find good value. All of us purchase books and commentaries to enhance our understanding of the Bible and improve our preaching. Some of these simply become inert additions to already crowded bookshelves. A subscription to The Preacher's Study will not likely become shelfware. Come see for yourself at:

http://preacherstudy.com

[5] *=*Contact Information

The Preacher's Study Website & Ezine
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"Energize Your Preaching"
Owner: Dave Redick
Email: editor@preacherstudy.com
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