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.
Why have you changed?
This is a question I’ve been hearing others ask of me lately. What’s with all this missional stuff? What’s wrong with the way you were doing ministry before? Yet when I reflect on what I’ve been saying for years, I don’t see any big disconnect. I’ve always said, “Have...
The value of long-term focus
I always recommend that denominational or network leaders focus at least 20% of their time on long-term capacity. That means raising up and developing leaders, coaching leaders, creating a leadership farm system. These are the activities that increase your long-term...
Repentance is the first step… even when you’re already a Christian
I have heard this question asked by leaders of denominations, pastors, and small groups: “What do I need to do to get my people living more missionally?” As is almost always the case, change starts with the leaders first. It starts with repentance. Repentance means a...
When you see someone off balance
When you are in the role of a pastor/shepherd, and you see someone off-balance in their life, how directive should you be? This is an issue I am continuing to think through. I’ve realized that as I decide when to step in and when to step back, I’m operating...
What contribution is needed now?
Reflect on the ministry you lead. What’s needed now? You may have many strengths, but what’s the core function that needs to be brought to the ministry at this particular time? There are many different possibilities: Healing and restoration? Helping people move...
The big picture of the missional journey
As we encourage our people to engage culture, they will form missional communities. Out of those missional communities, we will develop leaders. With those leaders, we will multiply movements. These four areas together make up what I call “the missional journey.”...
Using StrengthsFinder on your team
is one of my favorite leadership tools. It helps individuals identify their top 5 areas of strength and, consequently, what they have to offer their organization. I have begun using this tool with teams and, upon seeing certain combinations of strengths on a team,...
Don’t try to change the person—change the approach
I was recently coaching a guy who was an ADHD-type, all over the map, and he was trying to get organized. Giving him a big grocery list of organizational tasks to engage in would have buried him. Instead, I asked “What is one thing you can do that will maximize your...
Thinking multi-generationally
In a lot of my work with groups recently, I’ve noticed that one of the challenges is that a church or a movement is built on people from one generation. Then that generation gets older and there’s a gap. They’re not seeing new leaders from the next generation. I see...
Intentional Neglect
I recently received this birthday greeting on Facebook from my friend Christian Schwarz: “Happy birthday! Let this year become your most focused ever, full of courage for intentional neglect to get even more powerful & empowering than before.” It felt like a word...
Moving the critical node outward
When you have a system that is multiplying disciples, groups, leaders or churches, it’s common to see a slowing of momentum at the 3rd or 4th generation. One solution that is often helpful is to intentionally move a stronger leader out from the center of the system to...
Never do ministry alone
It’s interesting that after the time when the Apostle Paul found himself in Athens all alone, we start seeing a much greater emphasis on team-based ministry. I suspect that Paul learned some things about the value of a team during his time in Athens. Teams encourage...