Jonathan Sanders

Pastor | Writer | Host of The Apostolic Ministry Podcast
Essays every week ↓

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

166. We Need a Revival of Doctrinal Preaching by Jonathan Sanders: https://t.co/LrYuEzNKuf

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

A Perspective of The Second Half of Life by Jonathan Sanders: https://t.co/GuKkEnnOXb

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

Maintaining Moral Authority in the Home by Jonathan Sanders: https://t.co/uvSlluRZb0

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

A new episode of The Apostolic Ministry Podcast is now available.

165. Maintaining Moral Authority In the Home

Listen here:
https://t.co/tCFu5YrWvt https://t.co/OneyuCqO1z

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

The Three Operations of Speaking In Tongues by Jonathan Sanders: https://t.co/ZOB3IzFLpK

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

You Cannot Earn the Anointing by Jonathan Sanders: https://t.co/FNRQ11j8VX

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

The Urgency of Obedience by Jonathan Sanders: https://t.co/xI6WRtDbFt

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

164. The Family That Looks Forward by Jonathan Sanders: https://t.co/g9zeDtZ7gU

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

When the Answer Comes Too Quickly by Jonathan Sanders: https://t.co/1mINRYIWcd

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

Interesting AI Use Case

I used Claude to develop a custom website and app for the 2026 Kerman Campmeeting planning and organizational teams.

It is a one-stop hub for our team, bringing all essential planning and info into one place: task lists, master plan, organizational structure, communication flow chart, budget and funding, volunteer schedules, etc.

Instead of information being scattered across texts, documents, and spreadsheets, leaders can access what they need from one centralized platform.

Best part- we don’t have to learn a software system together. We have one tailored to our needs. I exploring improvement and expansion of this for future department, organizational use.
#claude

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

Should Christians Use Weight Loss Drugs? by Jonathan Sanders: https://t.co/62In39PquR

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

Leaders Must Understand Human Perception

I’m writing today on the leadership responsibility of navigating human nature well.

It’s important for a leader to understand the perceptions of people and what shapes them.

People respond to their perception of reality.
Here are 15 principles to help understand human perception:

1. People see selectively (Matthew 7:3–5)

2. People interpret what they see through past experience (Proverbs 18:13)

3. People are influenced by expectations (Proverbs 10:28)

4. People are influenced by emotion (Genesis 4:5–6)

5. People tend to confirm existing beliefs rather than reevaluating (Proverbs 18:2)

6. People judge by appearances (1 Samuel 16:7)

7. People make assumptions without all necessary information (Joshua 22:11–12)

8. People often mistake perception for reality (Proverbs 14:12)

9. People remember imperfectly (Deuteronomy 8:11–14)

10. People interpret others through themselves (Titus 1:15)

11. People perceive differently depending on perspective (Numbers 13:30–33)

12. People are influenced by what others think and perceive (Exodus 23:2)

13. People can sincerely perceive something incorrectly (Acts 26:9)

14. Truth can correct perception (Psalm 73:16–17)

15. Spiritual understanding requires illumination (Luke 24:45)

It is overwhelming to see that these are all the things I am navigating while preaching and teaching on Sunday.

This is why we must be led by the Spirit. Only God can navigate human nature perfectly.

#leadership #ministry #human #nature

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

Effective Leaders Understand Human Motivation

I am sometimes surprised by the motivations of people.

What motivates me may differ from what motivates you.

Here are 15 common principles of human motivation:

1. People seek pleasure and avoid pain (Hebrews 11:25–26)

2. People pursue what they value (Matthew 6:21)

3. People respond to reward (Hebrews 11:6)

4. People are moved by fear (Proverbs 29:25)

5. People are moved by love (2 Corinthians 5:14)

6. People seek approval (John 12:43)

7. People protect self-interest (Philippians 2:21)

8. People desire belonging (John 12:42)

9. People respond to purpose (Philippians 3:13–14)

10. People become discouraged without results (Galatians 6:9)

11. People don’t fully understand their own motives (Jeremiah 17:9)

12. People rationalize their desires (Judges 17:6)

13. Revelation can change motivation (Acts 9:5–6)

14. External motivation might change behavior without changing the heart (Matthew 23:27–28)

15. Love for God is the highest motivation (John 14:15)

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

Human nature shows the macro reality of humanity.

Human difference shows the micro reality of humanity.

When these two are confused, communication and relational problems arise.

(See my two previous posts for more detail)

#Leadership #Ministry #Human #Nature

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

Ministry Must Understand Human Difference

My previous note regards the importance of understanding human nature.

Ministry must also understand human difference.

Consider these 8 realities of human difference:

1. People have different temperaments (1 Corinthians 12:4–6)

2. People are molded by different histories (Proverbs 20:5)

3. People mature at different rates (Hebrews 5:12–14)

4. People have different capacities (Matthew 25:15)

5. People respond differently to correction (Proverbs 9:8–9)

6. People communicate differently (Proverbs 18:13)

7. People carry unique unseen burdens (Proverbs 14:10)

8. People require different approaches (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

#leadership #ministry #human #nature

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

Leaders Must Understand Human Nature

The greatest blessing and challenge for a leader is working with people.

Effective leadership is a student of human nature.

Here are 15 general realities of human nature to consider:

1. People need meaning (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

2. People need belonging (Genesis 2:18)

3. People desire significance (Psalm 8:4–6)

4. People are relational (Proverbs 27:17)

5. People are emotional (Proverbs 14:13)

6. People are habitual (Proverbs 22:6)

7. People resist change (Luke 5:39)

8. People imitate (1 Corinthians 11:1)

9. People respond to stories (Matthew 13:34)

10. People are influenced by their environment (1 Corinthians 15:33)

11. People are self-interested (Philippians 2:21)

12. People are morally flawed (Romans 3:23)

13. People hunger for the eternal (Psalm 42:1–2)

14. People need hope (Proverbs 13:12)

15. People need love (1 Corinthians 13:1–3)

#leadership #ministry #human #nature

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

What Is the Biblical Christian Baptism? by Jonathan Sanders: https://t.co/kEFnizNAxa

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

Ministry Is Worship

If ministry is not first worship to Him, it will become performance for them.

Whatever form ministry may take… in word, in song, or in work… it is first worship.

Ministry first ascends to God in worship, then flows to His people as blessing.

[Jonathan Sanders @BishopSanders]

A Believer’s Perspective of Success
Success is defined by many people in many different ways.

For the believer it can be summed up by answering a question: “Was I obedient to God today?”

If the answer is yes, regardless of any earthly measurement of success, it has been a successful day.