Posts Tagged ‘Gary G. Hoag’
Ministry Leaders and Metrics by Gary G. Hoag, Ph.D.
By Gary G. Hoag, Ph.D. Governing boards often require ministry leaders to use a variety of “metrics” to report results. These “metrics” often reflect the desired outcomes of ministry activity. Consider some examples of this practice: a Christian school might report enrollment figures, a medical ministry might tabulate the number of patients served, and a…
Read MoreThe Pastor and The Kingdom Path by Gary G. Hoag, Ph.D.
by Gary G. Hoag, Ph.D. In The Choice: The Christ-Centered Pursuit of Kingdom Outcomes, Scott Rodin, Wes Willmer, and I announce that we are praying for a great awakening today in the church and the parachurch. Specifically related to pastors, we are exhorting them to abandon cultural definitions of success. These are often reported in…
Read MoreWatch Your Language by Gary G. Hoag, Ph.D.
by Gary G. Hoag, Ph.D. Almost daily in December my mailbox received a stack of direct mail appeals inviting us to participate with various ministries in their work through giving. One evening my wife neatly left a stack of them for me on the counter. The assortment included organizations we have supported and others that…
Read MoreA Kingdom Path Perspective: Encouraging Major Gifts
By Gary G. Hoag, Ph.D. Years ago I attended a training session on “securing major gifts” for the ministry I served. The seminar shared tips for getting large gifts, and the presenters testified that if I followed their advice, I would reach my funding goals. The instructors said things like “it’s all about relationships” and…
Read MoreThe Role of Board Members in Advancement
A Kingdom Path Perspective by Gary G. Hoag, Ph.D. Christian ministry boards generally provide missional oversight, strategic governance, and fiscal accountability for the organizations they serve. Most are often comprised of committees. The committee tapped with ensuring adequate resources is often called the advancement or development committee. This committee tends to address its governance goals…
Read MoreShould Christians Save for Retirement?
by Gary G. Hoag, Ph.D. This is one of those “elephant in the room” questions. Before I try to tackle it in a blog post I want to share three statements that reveal the basis for my thinking: I will approach this question from a biblical perspective. Should you grapple with my comments, please search…
Read MoreFaithfulness-Focused Strategies
Steward leaders who are singularly motivated by obedience adopt faithfulness-focused strategies. Like Jesus, they desire to say what the Father says and do what they Father says to do. Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father…
Read MoreThe Choice
Today is the first day of the 2014 CLA National Conference in Dallas. The theme of this year’s conference is Kingdom Outcomes. Each year, CLA selects one book that captures the spirit of the theme. The conference book of the year for 2014 is, The Choice: The Christ-Centered Pursuit of Kingdom Outcomes (ECFA Press 2014) By Gary…
Read MoreHow Do You Define Success?
by Gary G. Hoag, Ph.D. How do you define success in your church or ministry setting? In The Choice: The Christ-Centered Pursuit of Kingdom Outcomes, R. Scott Rodin, Wesley K. Willmer, and I suggest that most people define success in one of two ways, and this decision charts a predictable course that sends us down…
Read MoreMinistries Don’t Need Money! By Dr. Gary G. Hoag
Now that I have your attention allow me to explain my statement. The New Testament presents at least three things ministries (groups of Christ-followers working together on mission) need, and money is not one of them. 1. Ministries need leaders who are free of the love of money and full of the love of God…
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