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.
What do you say when you dedicate a baby?
What do you say when you dedicate a baby? Or baptize one, depending on your tradition? What might God be trying to say through that ceremony? What passages of scripture might be appropriate to share? I was asked to do a baby dedication recently and was thinking...
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....
Taking the long view
We've all heard the expression, “We overestimate what we can do in one year and significantly underestimate what can be accomplished in three years.” We tend to be overly ambitious for what can happen in a year. We raise expectations-- our own and those of others--...
Three words
Recently friend and pastor Dennis Easter shared three words with me that he has found helpful in life and ministry… words that set the stage for a way of living different than what most of us are experiencing on a day-to-day basis. Pace, Space, and Grace Pace -...
Knowing the city… and its workers
Government workers know their city better than most pastors do. People move into community positions because they want to help their neighborhoods. There are often a lot of difficulties, but there are also opportunities for positive contribution. So if you are a...
The role of authority and position
Romans 13:1 reads: Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. But you know what I find really interesting? Romans was-- almost certainly-- written during the...
Who are we precluding from worship?
When I was a pastor, I would think about the numbers of people who legitimately can’t come to church on Sunday mornings: hospital workers, police, firefighters, etc. Their schedules preclude Sunday mornings, and I’m glad for it. I want them to be available for...
Opportunity or obstacle?
Sometimes we take a look at a particular neighborhood or subculture and we think it’s really bad… and it may be. But how might God want to redeem or use that area? How can we take the energy we feel and use it constructively? God may very well be at work there. Let’s...
What makes a network work? #4: Focused prayer
The final of the four essential elements for making any network fully functional is focused prayer. Investing time in praying together provides the spiritual and relational support people need to do the difficult work of the ministry together. Prayer with and for one...
What makes a network work? #3: Peer relationships
The third of the four essential elements for making any network full functional is peer relationships. Peer relationships are the most attractive part of a network for pastoral leaders. There is nothing like a roomful of people who are sharing the risk, joy and...
What makes a network work? #2: Personalized coaching
The second of the four essential elements for making any network fully functional is personalized coaching. Powerful networks always have effective coaching relationships. In a sense, a network is a coaching system—a coaching environment—much more so than a series of...
What makes a network work? #1: Adult learning
One of the four essential elements for making any network fully functional is an emphasis on adult learning. This engages participants through appropriate activities and reflection. It is learner-oriented rather than teacher-oriented. Consider these principles of...