I went back and reviewed the traffic stats on all the posts from this past 12 months. Through the magic of Google Analytics, I know exactly what topics grabbed everyone’s attention in 2009. With the results officially tabulated, I’m going to reveal the top nine posts of 2009…beginning tomorrow.
If you had to guess, what posts do you think made the top nine?
It’s been about 18 months since I last surveyed my readers, so I’m curious to see who is hanging out around here. This is a very unscientific survey to determine the profile of the person reading my blog. People want to know about you. I want to know about you. Please take a few moments to complete this survey. Your feedback will help me shape the content so that it’s a better fit for my audience. Thanks for participating!
I miss being in ministry. Up until about 12 years ago, I used to be engaged in a leadership role in the marketplace that looks very different from my role today. I used to interact with folks on a daily basis who were searching for hope and healing and purpose in their lives but didn’t know where to find it. I used to have influence in my marketplace role that allowed me to be connected with sharp people outside the church. I used to be able to bring a biblical influence to the real world. Then, one day, I walked away from ministry.
I took a leadership role in the church, and my influence changed. I no longer get to hangout with “normal” people. Most of my life is spent with people who who think and believe like me. I no longer get to directly influence the lives of leaders outside the church. The title “pastor” shuts down conversations. I don’t get to live life with people outside the faith. For the most part, my life revolves around people who have already committed their lives to Christ.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not second-guessing my calling. I wouldn’t go back. I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. But let’s face it…this really isn’t ministry. I encourage God’s people to do ministry, but I’m not really in ministry. I challenge church leaders to embrace new methods of outreach, but I’m not directly engaged in outreach. I get tastes of it in how I live out my life, but it’s not the primary pattern of my life. I’m primarily with Christ-followers. That’s not real ministry.
The vast majority of people in the church are still called to ministry. They’re not called to do what I do.
I just wanted to admit that there are times when I’m jealous of those who are still in ministry.
In yesterday’s message, Brian included this quote:
“Watch your thoughts they become words. Watch your words they become actions. Watch your actions they become habits. Watch your habits they become character. Watch your character it becomes your destiny.” -Patrick Overton
That reminded me of this quote:
“Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” -2 Peter 1:5-8 (NLT)
Which is all a good reminder that life happens one step at a time, and, if you don’t like where you are, you’d be wise to turn around and begin taking steps in a different direction.
It’s been a couple of months since I acknowledged the team of sponsors that is helping make the website possible…and literally helping to keep the Morgan family solvent. (I love having a mortgage payment and a rent payment!) Really, these are some great organizations with a number of fantastic opportunities for you. Click on a few links and check out what they have to offer.
Here are the folks that are making things happen in this month:
Letters to God – the main sponsor of TonyMorganLive.com offering an opportunity for pastors and church leaders to get a VIP screening of the film Letters to God
The Change Group – offers a web-based system that allows churches to outsource all aspects of day-to-day financial management
Church Volunteer Central — provides church leaders the tools and resources to invite, train, motivate, and retain great volunteers
Clover – provides websites for growing churches and ministries
Collision Media – a creative design studio that provides web design and other media related services for churches and businesses
FaithSearch Partners — an executive search firm focused on faith-based hospitals, healthcare systems and ministries
Paul Baloche – check out his new album from Integrity Music called “Glorious”
Pura Vida Missions — transforming lives by providing Christ-centered, life-changing mission adventures.
Rockbridge Seminary – 100% online program for earning your seminary degree without leaving your current ministry assignment
If you’re interested, we still have advertising spots available for your organization. Email me for more details. I’d love to have you join our team!
In case you missed them, here are the posts that generated the most traffic last month in order of popularity:
This top ten list is brought to you with the help of Google Analytics. It’s the easy, free way to track stats for your website.
In case you haven’t heard, Matt Chandler shared this news on Twitter on Thursday (fyi… “dye” was supposed to be “date”):
Here are the updates from The Village Church website:
Update 11/28/09 – Prayer for Matt today: The Village Church (HV) parking lot. 12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Come out and pray if you can.
Update 11/27/09 – Matt spoke with a neurosurgeon this afternoon & will meet w/him on Tuesday. He and Lauren are in good spirits.
Update 11/26/09 – Matt Chandler suffered a seizure Thursday morning while at home, was taken to a nearby hospital and is now at home resting with his family. Matt hit his head when he suffered the seizure and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Doctors ran several tests on Matt and will continue to run tests in the coming days. We will keep you posted. Please pray for Matt, Lauren and the kids. The best we can do as a church body right now is to give him space and our prayers. He is surrounded by family members, the elders and friends.
This was news to me since I was engaged with family over the holiday. Guessing it might be news to some of you as well. Now we can pray together.
It may be different for you, but this is the primary reason I celebrate Thanksgiving. I’m thankful for the freedom I have to live out my faith.
Yesterday in China, a pastor and four other church leaders were sentenced to prison for worshiping in their homes. It would probably be healthy for you to read the entire article to both be reminded to pray for other people throughout the world who don’t have our freedom and to thank God for the freedoms we have in the United States.
I know it’s not politically correct to say this, but I still believe I live in the greatest country in the world. I’m thankful for it. I don’t take it for granted. And, I pray for others who don’t share that privilege that they will stand strong in their faith when persecution is at its worst.
I’ve not met these folks from New Life Church, but apparently at least one of them is familiar with me. Check out this video from the Dirt Conference poking fun of a Christmas brainstorming process.
Sorry. If you’re hoping I can help you with your Christmas brainstorming, it’s too late.
Obviously, I have lots of family time planned over the holidays, but here’s the current line up of stops through the next few months:
If you are a lead pastor and would like to join the trip with Brian and me to Africa, we’d love to have you. We have a couple more spots available for pastors who are interested in considering the role your church could play in transforming this country. Email me if you’d like more details.
I may be able to squeeze in one more stop between now and the end of January. The spring schedule is starting to fill up as well, so now is the time to connect if I can serve you and your church. Let me know if you’d like to talk.
