I realized early on in ministry that I was not smart enough to be the Holy Spirit. The best I can do is to help people listen to what God is doing in their life and then to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to see God’s agenda become a reality. When we are discipling...
How can you be sure you are asking the right questions to get to where you want to go? As you lead your church or ministry, the kinds of questions you’re asking make a big difference in where you’re going and what you do—or don’t do—in order to get there. For...
How to decide? Often in ministry and in life, we are faced with choices between two—or more—good options, but we don’t have the time, energy or money to do all of them. We have to choose. It’s especially difficult to choose when both options seem quite good. A friend...
Responding to criticism: Do you ever get criticized? I’m guessing if you’re a ministry leader, the answer is yes (exercising my profound powers of discernment). The real question is how to handle it when criticism comes. How can you avoid reacting defensively, help...
Does your team focus on outcomes when they work together? Last year I coached a man who was commissioned to create an assessment tool to improve the effectiveness of church planting partnerships within his denomination. His role was to come alongside them and help...
Quality number #1 highlighted in the Leadership Effectiveness Profile? Emotional Intelligence. Unsurprisingly, leaders need at least a basic level of emotional intelligence in order to lead others effectively. Emotional intelligence means our capacity to recognize,...
