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’s my contribution?
Part of a series inspired by Peter Drucker, an important mentor of mine Peter Drucker suggests that leaders regularly ask themselves the question, “What’s my contribution?” In other words, what does the organization need from me at this particular time to facilitate...
A new kind of metrics: steps forward in faith
The post below is by Randy Lovejoy, pastor of Silverlake Community Church. I had an opportunity to use a different metric for ministry this past week. This Sunday we had an unusual convergence in our worship service. Not only did adults and youth join. Not only did...
Form vs. function
Instead of thinking about what meetings people are going to, think about how a disciple lives. There are processes and there are behaviors. By focusing on the behaviors (the function) instead of the processes (the form), we get the results we are looking for. Let’s...
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...