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The one book that has had the greatest impact on shaping my approach to ministry is, Seven Practices of Effective Ministry by Andy Stanley, Lane Jones and Reggie Joiner. I highly recommend that you put this on your reading list. Much of the content of this book is included in a series of free recorded audio discussions. Below I have included links to download each discussion. I hope that you take the time to listen to these and I also hope that they challenge your approach to ministry so that 2011 may be the most effective year you have experienced yet.

• Practice #1 - Clarify The Win   download

  Even the best team can’t score if it can’t find home plate. In this conversation, they discuss the importance of clearly defining wins at every level of your organization.

• Practice #2 - Think Steps, Not Programs   download

  Before you start anything, make sure it takes you where you want to go. In this conversation, they discuss the importance of a clear ministry strategy.

• Practice #3 - Narrow The Focus  download

  The longer a ministry operates, the more complex it becomes. In order to maintain a winning organization, we must continually face the challenge of narrowing its focus.

• Practice #4 - Teach Less For More  download

  People are bombarded by thousands of messages every week. If the local church is going to be effective, it must cut through the noise. It must learn to say only what needs to be said to the people who need to hear it.

• Practice #5 - Listen To Outsiders  download

  Why don’t the unchurched people in your area go to church? Could it be because you’re focusing on who you’re trying to keep instead of who you’re trying to reach?

• Practice #6 - Replace Yourself  download

  We are all replaced eventually. The wisest leaders will extend their influence by finding and mentoring their replacements.

• Practice #7 - Work On It  download

  All of us work in ministry every day, but is that enough? Working on your ministry requires time to evaluate your work and to celebrate your wins.