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 »
“They” are the problem. “They” are in the way, holding us back, stopping our God dreams. “They” don’t get us/ me/ my kind of people. They… We/us… Whenever a leader allows an Us V Them moment, that leader has ushered in division. Conflict is not necessarily division. Conflict, if led well, can move us from differences to dedication and from… 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 »
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 »
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 »
More than leaders who are skilled, who have certain personality traits (extroversion/ D’s and I’s) our people need LEADERS WHO ARE LED! When we serve under leaders who are led, we can follow with hope and joy. We can trust that our church is fulfilling the calling of God upon us. We may or may not immediately see the results,… Read more »
What do you do when your church struggles? How do you lead in those seasons and times? Of course analyzing would be important. However, the most significant “to do” of the leader is to intensify time with other leaders. Move closer to invest and bless, not further away. If the key factor is leadership (not just yours but others) then investing… Read more »