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 »
Colossians 1:18 “And He is head of the body, the church.” Wondering if that is a missing factor in our hectic, success driven world? Sure, we who are trained in scripture would affirm that truth, but how do we live it? What are the key factors, patterns, etc., that assure Christ is the head of the body you lead? For… Read more »
Responsibility, deadlines, appointments can all come crashing down to squeeze the leader’s schedule. With no clear decision, and mostly without awareness, the leader begins the “leadership run”. Each day they hit the floor running, excited, hectic. One day is skipped in worship and then another. And then the weekend assignment pulls their focus to their “speaking” and anxiously await the… Read more »
I’ve heard leaders, in conversation with other leaders, say “I really don’t need worship but maybe once a month.” What does that mean? Do they feel it is a need or feeling that can be satiated one time a month? Have you looked carefully at the pattern of Jesus? To begin with, he was an Israelite. The people of Israel… Read more »
“I was hired to do this ministry and that is what I am doing.” This is a quote from a leader of a sub ministry in a church. Yes, you were hired for that focus. But likely you were hired for the greater good of the body. Likely you were hired so that the body of Christ could have greater impact. No you were… Read more »
Every day we can enter the amazing reality of God’s goodness and greatness. It is accessible through prayer and through the Word. The Word is an entry point to how the Lord blesses, moves, turns challenges into places of praise, restores our inner thoughts and shuts down the voice of the enemy. Yesterday I experienced some challenging news. I chose to pray. The… Read more »
Our church had been through a long season of challenge. The leaders had made the shift and the focus was clear. I then said to the Lord, “We need a blessing. Would you send us people?” The response was immediate, “No chance!” It was shocking, but somehow didn’t seem like a rebuke. “If I send you people now you will shift back to your… Read more »
Why would we allow you to lead us? Yes, the key word is allow, for leadership is always about choosing to follow. Why would we allow you to lead us? Because we like you? We like many people whom we would not follow to the future. Yes, “like” is a powerful force, but getting people to like you does not mean they will follow… Read more »
You can’t lead them if you need them! You can’t lead people when you need their approval. You can’t lead people when you need their finances. You can’t lead people unless you are free, whole and healthy. The inner work of a leader must go to this depth, to do the work of being “free” to lead, free to encourage and to call up… Read more »
It was a season our church wasn’t doing well. Our income had bottomed out and the bills were mounting. Then, as providence would have it, our giving was even lower. As I drove away I crashed in my spirit. But the Lord began to speak to me tenderly. “Would you like for me to speak to you about this?” He asked. I was hurt… Read more »