Ability or Integrity 3

Some of these may be ability and some may be integrity, but here are some practical ideas about our behavior (especially if you are in ministry).

1. Call if you say you'll call.

Not calling says that you don't mean what you say.

2. Return calls and reply to emails promptly.

Not responding to someone communicates that they aren't important enough for you.

3. Don't tell secrets or break confidences.

4. Don't use the pulpit to attack individuals.

Jesus said to go them alone first. It comes across as a bullying coward.

5. Follow through with announced plans.

Or explain why you had to change plans. But do this very much and people won't believe you.

6. Control your temper.

(This may be a good place to say that I have failed in all of the areas that I am writing about.

But I have got some better.)

7. Don't get your feelings hurt easily.

Keep a tough hide and a tender heart. Make people work at insulting you. Don't get insulted with just a little joke or someone in a bad mood.

8. Don't steal from the church (or anywhere)

Don't use the excuse that they don't pay you enough. Either ask for a raise or quit.

9. Live what you preach and teach.

Tithe, pray, read your Bible, love your wife.

10. Be easy to talk to and work with.

Don't jump on everyone who asks a question.

Don't always have to have your own way.

"I beseech thee in the bowels of Christ, consider that thou mightest be wrong."

Oliver Cromwell to Scottish Presbyterians.

More to come another day.

Ability and Integrity - let's work on both.