Author: Life Focus Ministries

Who are we? Dr Robert McQuillan is recognised as an inspiring encourager, counsellor, mentor to ministries and Bible teacher ministering meaningfully on the prophetic edge. Robert and Maureen, a gifted communicator with an uncanny insight into knowing 'where people are at', delight to bless and encourage God's people and ministries... and touch the hearts of the unchurched in the marketplace. Contact: OnlinerConnect@gmail.com

LEADERSHIP

FOUR REASONS WHY LEADERS SHOULD RETURN CHALLENGING PHONE CALLS

Dick Hardy

Dick Hardy, Pastoral Leadership Consultant, writes:

From time to time all of us have situations that create the opportunity for a challenging conversation. No one likes it, but it’s a reality – unless you’re a monk!

With the advancement of technology over the last decade, it’s easier than ever to ignore a phone call and therefore ignore a conversation you know that you need to have but would rather avoid.

 
Courtesy
I suppose most folks reading this far do return phone calls, right? If so I say, ‘Hats off to you!’ At the same time, maybe you’re the type who would rather ignore the call and wait until they call back next time, but will you answer the phone then? Really you just hope they go away!
Leadership and ministry necessitate a level of professionalism that includes returning phone calls and being willing to speak truthfully despite how hard it may be. Is this an area where you could improve?

(more…)

RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP

Robert and Maureen McQuillan write:

You’ve heard it before – when one sees premiers, prime ministers, political figures, presidents and such slammed on the news by unhappy people, a general comment is ‘Who would want to be a leader?’

Forget about governmental leaders – what about church leaders, especially senior pastors? Government leaders may be highly paid to carry responsibility and verbal attacks but most ministers aren’t. Their compensation rarely reaches even the bottom of the bar of the heavy role pastors carry.

Carry? It is often demanded, let alone expected. The notion of ministry being a specific calling from God that should be honoured is overlooked, ignored and many times disrespected. (more…)

ANGER MANAGEMENT

Robert and Maureen McQuillan write:

Remember the Jack Nicholson movie, Anger Management? He plays a psychiatrist, Dr Buddy Rydell, who volunteers to help a guy with anger problems.

A judge asks him: ‘You think you can help him?’ His replies, ‘Yep. And if I can’t, I’ll tear him apart with my bare hands.’

Anger Management

 

 

 

(Google)
Sounds like a psych with his own anger management problem!

An LA journalist friend asks us: ‘Why are Christians so angry? Where is the love?’ A current, very appropriate question – the Holy Spirit is obviously trying to get something through to Christians.

Actually, the truth is that Christians shouldn’t display anger, yet so often we do. We’re supposed to exhibit the Galatians 5:22-23 fruit of the Spirit – the very nature of Jesus himself!

And, after all, if we Christians can control our actions, achieving positive results, surely we can also control our negative reactions! (more…)

JESUS CHRIST, THE GREAT GENERAL PRACTITIONER

Question: I often hear Christians emphatically refer to Jesus as their healer, even their GP. Can they be right?

SONY DSC

Dr Bernard Shiu, well-known Geelong General Practitioner, responds:

General practitioners such as myself strive to practise a holistic approach. We take into consideration the biological, psychological and social factors relevant to the care of our patients.

Our duties are not limited to specific parts of our body, rather we tend to deal with multiple health and health related issues all at once.

And, as our patients may vary in age, sex, ethnic and educational background, we are trained to treat and communicate at an appropriate level suitable for the individual. (more…)

TODAY’S DIFFERENT GOSPEL

Question: What did Paul mean when he warned about ‘a different gospel’ being taught? Is something not quite right in churches today?

Jim McClure
Dr Jim McClure, noted theologian, answers:

You’re obviously referring to Galatians where Paul used the term ‘a different gospel.’ He was referring to a Jewish version of Christianity that taught that, in addition to the need of placing one’s faith in Christ to be saved, it was also necessary to follow Jewish rules and regulations.

Actually, Paul was so incensed by this distortion that he wrote, ‘I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!’ (Gal 1:6-8). (more…)

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

Ed Delph

Dr Ed Delph writes:

Now I may have a doctorate but I’m neither a medical nor a mind doctor; My area, my field, is in ministry and in encouraging leaders.

But as I encourage people to resolve issues in their lives, at times it seems that the area has become an arena, even a minefield or should I say mind-field!

One such ‘mind-field’ involves couples and is not to do with the mind, but also the heart. It’s the matter of managing conflict.

Take for example this true-to-life story of a couple trying to resolve an argument. Let’s call them Fred and Nancy. Fred tells the story… (more…)

KIDS – THE VERY CENTRE OF KINGDOM LIFE

Maureen

Maureen McQuillan reflects…

Doubtlessly everyone who discovered Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem, was overwhelmed at the time and wondered in their hearts how his life, his future would develop as he grew up and what would happen to the child.

Certainly his mother Mary, and her husband Joseph, wondered some years later what had happened when they couldn’t find him one  Passover. (more…)

CREATING THE ULTIMATE ATMOSPHERE

Wayne Swift

Wayne Swift, Apostolic Church Australia National Leader, writes:

I’ve been a minister for many years now and naturally I’ve come to realise many home truths.

One is this – the outcome of minister’s efforts privately, is usually, if not always, displayed publicly. Let’s face it – a minister’s prayer life, devotional life, ongoing learning, sermon preparation and even relationships are on show. People observe our actions and our reactions, along with our struggles.

Ministers need to create what I term ‘the ultimate atmosphere’ in order to present ourselves approved by Christ and acceptable by those who witness our actions and reactions under various circumstances.

And the reality is that this is a principle for every Christian for we are all on display as it were…what someone once called ‘the fifth gospel, the gospel according to you.’ The way we all prepare ourselves is critical to the outcomes we experience. (more…)

Resources

AWARD WINNING AUTHOR DAN WOODING’S BOOKS

Dan Wooding with novels

 

 

 

 

 
See News for listing of this award winning author’s current re-releases.

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The following available from Koorong Bookstore – Ph: 03 9262 7444.
Source: coraliec AT koorong.com.au 

BOOK
BRIDGE TO HAVEN
Francine Rivers

Bridge to Haven
To those who matter in 1950s Hollywood, Lena Scott is the hottest rising star to hit the silver screen since Marilyn Monroe. Few know her real name is Abra. Even fewer know the price she’s paid to finally feel like she’s somebody.

 

 

DVD
PASSION TALK SERIES: ESSENTIAL COLLECTION
Louie Giglio

Passion Talk Series
This 4-DVD set brings together four inspiring talks from Louie Giglio’s enormously popular Passion Talk Series: Indescribable, How Great Is Our God, Symphony (I Lift My Hands), and the all new message, Moved By Mercy. Each talk is filled with wonder and personal challenge, and offers an incredible picture of God’s grace!