Wednesday With Ben Reed
Welcome this week’s issue of the Serving Strong interview series called “Wednesdays With” – a time when we get to peer into the life of someone actively engaged in ministry leadership and find out how they stay strong. The last several Wednesdays we’ve had some tremendous insight from Ron Edmondson,Artie Davis, Kevin Martineau, Paul Donnan, Michael Harrison, Dan Rockwell,Brandon Cox, Lyn Smith, Jim Foreman, Jason Stasyszen, Chuck Musselwhite, Bill Grandi, and Thomas McDaniels. This week, we have the privilege of hearing from Ben Reed. So, pull up a comfortable chair, grab some coffee and let’s hear how Ben stays strong.
Ben Reed
SS: Thanks for taking the time to respond, Ben. First, let us know where you currently serve and what positions of leadership you hold.
BR: I’m on staff at Grace Community Church in Clarksville, TN. I serve as the small groups pastor. Small groups are our church’s answer for discipleship, and so they play a major role in the life of our church.
SS: Tell us a little about your life.
BR: My wife and I have been married for almost 7 years. We have a 2 year old son, Rex. I grew up playing golf with my dad, and still, to this day, play with him regularly. I don’t get to play as much as I used to. Life will do that to you. I also enjoy running. It’s one of those things I never enjoyed doing, but recently, it’s become a great way for me to unplug from the demands of normal life, and do a bit of dreaming and thinking. I have also developed a great love of writing. The more I write, the more I want to write. It started with my blog, and has expanded to various articles that I’ve put together. Writing is a way for me to flesh out my thoughts and ideas.
SS: If you could choose a lifestyle habit that has made the biggest impact to finishing strong in ministry leadership, what would it be?
BR: I’m a learner. I love wrestling with new concepts, stretching my mind to think about how we as an organization (and me, personally) can continue to grow and improve. And though learning, reading, and studying are a strength of mine, I think they’re essential for any leader, whether it’s a strength or not. Good leaders are learners. And if you’re going to finish strong, you need to continually stretch yourself to think outside of the box. Learn from books, articles, and conversations. Learn from podcasts, websites, and over a cup of coffee with someone who thinks differently than you. Never stop learning.
SS: Looking back on your life, what was one profound experience that caused you to grow significantly in your relationship with Christ?
BR: I was in a small group for my junior and senior years of high school. We met on Friday nights, which incidentally didn’t make us very popular…err…it showed that we already weren’t popular, if we didn’t have anything better to do than study the Bible on Friday nights. That was such a rich time for me. I didn’t know I was going into ministry at the time, but God was using that to refine me as a follower of Christ, as a man, and preparing me for the future He had in mind. The guys in that group challenged me every week. That small group began my journey towards the role God now has me in, small group pastor.
SS: What safeguards do you have in place to ensure you remain morally pure in a morally promiscuous culture?
BR: I have a couple of things in place. One, I never go to a meeting alone with a female. Never. I also don’t have a meeting in our offices with a female with a closed door. I have XXXChurch software installed on my computer, and it’s linked to another staff guy. I also give my wife all of my passwords, so that at any point, she can see what I’m doing and what conversations I’m having. My family is my #1 ministry. I can’t afford to lose them.
SS: Beside the Bible, what have been a couple of the most influential books/resources you have read that have promoted a healthy, effective ministry experience for you?
BR: Knowing God, by JI Packer, helped give me a love of theology and studying the Bible to know God. Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands, by Paul Tripp, helped shape the way that I counsel the Word. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership influenced my views of leading.
SS: What would you tell someone just starting out in full-time ministry they must do to avoid burning out?
BR: Don’t neglect your family. Ministry demands will continue to increase. People will always need you to do one more thing. There will always be one more email, one more idea, one more project. You’ll never be “finished.” And if you’re not careful, in the process, you’ll lose your family. Don’t neglect them.
SS: Thanks for your time, Be. I loved reading how you stay strong in ministry. As with every issue, I pray that what is put in the interview speaks to other ministry leaders as a challenge and encouragement to stay strong in their calling.
Ben writes online. Here are a few recent posts:
Stay tuned when next Wednesday we hear from Shannon O’Dell.
The list of those being interviewed continues to grow. If YOU would like to contribute to this influential series, email me or send me a direct message on Twitter!
Great interview – Ben sounds like someone I would love to sit and have cup of coffee with or hit a bucket of balls.
Jim F recently posted..Strong and Courageous
Jim, if you’re ever in the Nashville area, let’s do coffee!
Ben Reed recently posted..Building a better Airline
Sounds like a plan.
Jim F recently posted..Courageous Christian Life
I wonder if i can ride my bike alongside him as he runs? I can’t play golf anymore. Will you/he settle for sitting and talking while i drink a Diet Dr.Pepper? Good stuff Scott. Thanks Ben.
Bill, that would be awesome! And Diet Dr. Pepper…great choice.
Blessings to you!
Ben Reed recently posted..Building a better Airline