The Ministerial Practice and Functions section of the Manual provides supporting resources, research material, and reference content for Christian ministry. It is designed to supplement teaching and practice by offering data, definitions, tools, and research that inform sound decision making and thoughtful study. This section functions as a reference library rather than a formational guide.
Ministry practice requires more than conviction alone. Faithful service also depends on accurate information, clear terminology, and awareness of current challenges facing the Church. This section exists to support ministers, leaders, and students as they evaluate ministry contexts, plan responsibly, and respond wisely to practical concerns within their calling.
Use this section as a reference library to support informed and thoughtful ministry.
By Michael Mooney, NACM Exec. Elder 2 Steps to Unfriending Worry I have never met a person (considered mentally well) who desired a life filled with the fear and anxiety of worry -Box A. To the contrary, anxiety is often associated with phobias and …
By Michael Mooney, NACM Exec. Elder Be On the Lookout for this Creature… A minister needs to keep an ever-watchful ere for this varmint known as the “either/or.” Sometimes he is called the either/or fallacy –also referenced as a false dilemma. He is a pest because …
When Anxiety Follows the Minister Into the Room By Michael Mooney, Exec. Elder There are moments in ministry when our theology is settled but our nervous system apparently did not receive the memo. You know what you believe. You know God is sovereign. You know Christ …
There was a time when I found it strangely satisfying to identify what was wrong with other people’s ministries. I hate to admit it, but I was guilty. I am sure most ministers know others ministers that seem shallow. Others who appear theatrical, self-promoting, or simply …
By Michael Mooney, Exec. Elder A few observations of common behaviors and attitudes that tend to follow people who break fellowship from their churches, etc. This report was inspired by a conversation that surfaced among fellow ministers regarding the question: When it is time to move …
By Michael Mooney, NACM Exec. Elder When researching a subject, it is generally good practice to begin with the background knowledge that already exists. In almost every case, there is already a wealth of information and theories that have contributed to the present understanding of the …
By Michael Mooney, NACM Exec. Elder How Ministers Can Manage their Emotions as Christian Leaders “A fool expresses all his emotions, but a wise person controls them” (Pro 29:11 GW). Emotions are one of the greatest forces in all the world. In response to them, we …
By Michael Mooney, NACM Exec. Elder In Exodus 17:6 God instructed Moses to “strike” a rock for the provision of water. At another time when Israel needed water again (Number’s 20:8) God told Moses to “speak” to a rock for water. However, in a moment of …
Michael Mooney, NACM Exec. Elder The Present Condition of Christianity Christian unity vs denominations remains one of the clearest visible tensions in the modern Church. In 2001: According to the World Christian Encyclopedia (2001), there are approximately 33,820 denominations of Christianity in the world. In 2023: …
Michael Mooney, NACM Exec. Elder Minister’s Definition of Perspective Shifting Perspective Shifting in Ministry is the purposed art of looking at circumstances, situations, people, attitudes, thought process, and things from another person’s perspective. Pitfall: Our own biases are the pitfalls to why we tend to think …