Leadership
Holistic Leadership Development
You want to develop leaders who will do what Jesus called us to do, leaders who can take the church forward into the 21st century. You look to the fields and see them, as Jesus does, ready for harvest — and you know that’s where your ministry needs to concentrate.
What’s needed is holistic leadership development — the kind of leadership development that comes from the harvest and leads people back into the harvest, resulting in subsequent generations of new believers and new leaders living as Jesus called us to live.
We can help you develop leaders the kind of leaders you need in a way that is both relational and intentional… and ultimately effective in helping your church accomplish its mission.
Reaping the results
We are now reaping the results of a more fragmented approach to life. Technology is wonderful—I love technology. But like everything else in a fallen world, it has its dark side if we are not careful. When we leave things on all the time, especially with...
Time Management: There’s an app for that
One of the things that I’ve observed in my coaching recently is an increasing number of conversations about time management. I remember the old days—about 35 years ago, in my case-- when disorganization looked like me trying to manage things with little scraps of...
Can’t we all just be friends?
Sometimes people have an expectation that when you work together as a team, everyone needs to be friends — buddies who go out and do things together outside of work time. Many teams do function like that, and that’s fine if it works. But not all teams have to function...
Thinking about getting a writing assistant?
Every once in a while I’m asked by colleagues about my writing assistant, Tara. It’s been a huge time saver for me to have someone to help me write my books, prepare presentations, design training materials, and even write these blog entries. Sometimes people ask me...
Open vs closed questions
I’ve noticed that people who ask closed questions are most often trying to lead the other person, trying to anticipate the answer, or trying to validate their own perspective. Essentially, they are trying to control or steer the conversation to a predetermined...
Getting there early
One way to practice treating people with respect is by getting to appointments on time or early. When you leave for an appointment, always leave enough margin for the unexpected—which will often happen. By the same token, always bring something with you to do or to...
Intuitive leaders in 8th grade
An 8th grade girl I know had the following conversation with her mom: Daughter: “I think now that I’m going into high school next year, there might be enough kids in the church youth group for them to start having a separate group for the high schoolers. They could...
The consecration of an altar
During my stay in Honduras, one of the churches was dedicating their altar. It was essentially a platform or stage built of red tile and going all the way across the front of the church building (partially pictured below). Humberto came up front and shared from Romans...
The intentional leader
Here’s one thing I have discovered about leaders in any culture: They’re just a bit more intentional and strategic than the other folks. I watched a leader in Honduras who had a very relaxed way of making connections with people. He’d drop by, talk for a while. In the...
The seven commands of Jesus
Below is a list of the seven commands of Jesus taught to the people of Honduras. They follow a Spanish acronym that isn’t present in the English translation. 1. Repent and believe 2. Be baptized 3. Love the people 4. Receive communion 5. Give 6. Pray 7. Teach Notice...
Pastors and elders: defining our terms
Gerardo, a mechanic-pastor I met in Honduras, made a comment in passing that I found interesting: “The reason you need elders in your church is that they focus internally. Pastors, of course, are focused externally.” The "of course" struck me. I asked him for...
Leadership: recognized, not appointed
During my time in Honduras, I found the way that handle leadership fascinating. Leaders are not appointed-- they are recognized through results. One of their titles of leadership is “extension chain teacher.” That title indicates someone who has raised up 10 churches....