by Sam Brock

I like the “Dummies” series of books, because they assume I know very little about the topic I am about to study. Over the years as I have read my fair share of “Dummies” books, I have realized that their simple approach sometimes fills in gaps that I have missed in my erratic learning process. Following are a few “For Dummies” lists that you may have already mastered, but there still may be something that you missed.

Ministry for Dummies

God provides.
My testimony speaks louder than my words.
Be consistent.
Be thankful.
Trust God’s timing.
Don’t be in a hurry.
Have good character no matter who is (or isn’t) watching.
Take time for people.
It’s work.
It’s worth it if you keep an eternal perspective.

Mission Trips for Dummies—You may be involved in planning or even leading a mission team. A manager of the team has much to think about. This list is in no way comprehensive but at least it gives you a start as you get ready to go.

Have a plan B.
Be flexible.
Be teachable.
Drink water.
Improvise with what you have.
Get along.
Work as hard at improving your relationship with God as you do on the project at hand.
Fun is the byproduct not the goal.
Be a slave—it is encouraging to everyone around you.
Be patient—it never goes as fast as you plan.

Change for Dummies

Understand why—if you don’t know why, you have no idea if it is a good change or a bad change.
Know your expectations—change is rarely the cure-all, or we would have changed earlier. Correct expectations in the process of change are crucial to your sanity.
Comparison kills contentment—if you are changing because you are trying to keep up, you will never find contentment in your situation.
This world is not my home—I can put up with just about anything if it is short term. Think of life here on earth as a very short-term thing.
God does not change—He is one on whom I can rely no matter what is happening around me.
Expect a ripple effect—change does not affect just one person.
Communicate change.
Everybody will have an opinion about the change they are experiencing. Have a thick enough skin to deal with an opinion.