Written in July 2002 PRAYER AND BURNOUT Ajith Fernando In recent times I have been reflecting much on the idea that prayer is one of the surest means of preventing burnout. I have thought a lot about this as many have told me recently that the schedule I keep makes me a …
January 2013 BLESSED INCOMPETENCE Ajith Fernando A few days ago, my beloved piano teacher, Mrs Seetha Hallock, went home to the Lord. I was not one of her star pupils; but how grateful I am to her! She introduced me to great western music that has been my hobby all these years. …
Written in Mid-2005 Pain does its work, and grace takes over Written by Ajith Fernando while travelling abroad I left home on a trip abroad feeling very discouraged and hurt because of some problems. This is normal in the Christian life, and these are emotions I must not deny. Sorrow and pain …
July 2010 Wanted: Integrated Practical Theologians. During my thirty-four years as leader of the Youth for Christ work in Sri Lanka we have endeavored to develop a movement that is under-girded and driven by the Scriptures. Over the years God has blessed us with hundreds of volunteers and staff who are people …
PASSIONATE FOR GOD? OR ADDICTED TO MEDIOCRITY? Ajith Fernando I was once at a meeting of preachers, and they were discussing the problem of having inadequate time to prepare their sermons. One person said that given all the things he had to do, it was impossible for him to give much time …
Written in April 2002 for a book on Youth Ministry edited by Duffy Robbins THE LEADERSHIP STYLE OF JESUS Ajith Fernando The first chapter of Mark gives a crisp and comprehensive picture of what Jesus’ style of leadership was like. 1. His first public act was his baptism by John (v. …
ADMINISTRATORS AS SERVANTS I have been thinking about some ideas for admin and finance workers that I want to share with you. I want to suggest that you discuss this the other staff when you have a staff meeting. One of the highlights of the past year has been that we have become …
July 2008 THE MINISTRY OF JOY IN A HURTING WORLD Paul asks us to “Rejoice in the Lord always” and, as if to give special stress to this imperative, he repeats it by saying, “…again I will say, Rejoice.” (Phil. 4:4). Does this mean that we can rejoice while faced with the …
October 2010 ON AMBITION IN CHRISTIAN SERVICE Ajith Fernando Once I was chatting with a group of younger delegates after the closing session of an international conference at which I had spoken. One of them thanked me for my message and, pointing to the platform, said, “We will be the speakers at …
Written in November 2000, later published in Doing Member Care Well edited by Kelly O’Donnell (William Carey Library). JOY AND SACRIFICE IN THE LORD[1] By Ajith Fernando In today’s world happiness is almost considered a basic human right by many people, and happiness is often defined …