Considering the long-term impact of our decisions

We need to regularly ask the questions: “What are the long-term effects of this decision?” and, “What might be the unintended consequences of this decision?” For example, if you try to solve your shortage of church planters by recruiting, it has the long-term (and...

The Practices of a Barnabas

I talk about Barnabas a lot. He’s one of my favorite biblical characters… probably because he functions as a behind-the-scenes coach empowering others. I heard a talk that Bubba Justice gave on the practices of a Barnabas, taken from his study of the book of Acts....

When seeing is the first step

Sometimes when you’re coaching someone and seeking to develop them in their leadership, they run up against some kind of blockage. If you probe a little further into their background, you might find the roots of the blockage. What have they experienced in ministry?...

Launching Leaders booklet

I’m always on the lookout for really helpful but simple tools. The Launching Leaders booklet by Michael Gatlin is just that. It essentially covers a six-step process for developing and overseeing leaders. Put out by the Vineyard Group, this has been selling like...

The mean art teacher

Every once in a while, when I’m sketching out a diagram to represent an idea, I find myself apologizing for my lack of artistry. Fortunately, my job doesn’t require much by way of drawing skills, but I do have to sketch the occasional diagram or flow chart to...