Somehow we have lost the biblical pattern of a calling. Calling, in Paul’s writing, is not about an assignment to a ministry be it senior leader, youth, worship, etc. In Ephesians 4, Paul challenges the body to live worthy of their calling which is clearly the Ephesians 1-3. Calling would not be limited to specific assignments but something every member… Read more »
In nearly every leader there is a clock, a sense of pressure that “drives us” to speed up and move quickly. Quick, get the ministry started. Quickly get it better. It’s about those outside of our walls so let’s move faster, do more, press harder! But what if God is moving us to accelerate by slowing down? The Lord… Read more »
“I’m not tired!” said by a toddler as they are carried by a parent to bed. The child is unaware that they are beyond tired, tense and frustrated. This is typical of every child. It is not uncommon for adults either! Adults can be unaware of their emotions, unaware of their anger, not in touch with their frustration, hurt, defensiveness,… Read more »
I have the privilege of working with many great leaders. None look alike. Various personalities, gifting and history, but all with a fierce heart for the Lord. Recently one of those leaders was walking through a season of downturn, and was processing all of the crazy that Satan speaks in those seasons. This is a letter to that leader. May… Read more »
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” That is an often quoted word from a leadership consultant. But here’s the problem. It would seem that we hear the leadership “quip” and even quote it. Wouldn’t it be more effective to utilize this insight in our leadership? Working with spiritual leaders we discover that we can so easily be swept into the hottest… Read more »
It happens all of the time. Someone is hurting, overcome in anguish and loss, and the natural response is “Don’t feel that way.” Haven’t we discovered that feelings are not so easily controlled? Don’t feel that way? Too late, I already do! What happens next can be classic. When another does not “receive” our encouragement we can begin to experience… Read more »
Vision can be polarizing! Some people will be drawn while others will be repelled. While it may appear that most of the “battles” are over vision, that is NOT where the bigger battles are found. Leaders, we are discovering, often get the essence of a dream or vision correct. By “essence” we mean that the dream likely will morph a… Read more »
The larger the “organization” the more challenging it can be to lead. And the more challenging the leadership the more likely the leader will shift from leading to frustration, hurt, despair or anger. And then the next step. Perhaps resignation, but likely before that step is another… a demand for power and powering up. The chaos of an organization, particularly… Read more »
We live in an age of mistrust, especially of organizations. No wonder! We have observed a myriad of leaders choosing themselves over those they lead. Often this is done out of the public eye, but eventually the heart is revealed, and when the constituents discern ANY breach of trust the toxin has entered the system. Organizations can often identify “trust”… Read more »
Every week church communities gather to worship. Worship includes singing; the vocalizing of praise and gratefulness, the words spoken to tune that can be declaration of rich theology and truth. People have varied emotions about singing but for the people of God singing has always been significant, powerful and formational. Songs can put words into our mouths that remind our hearts… Read more »