“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 »
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 »
No, not the gifts of a leader. Leaders by God’s design are gifted differently to specifically fit their destiny assignments. The gifts of a leader can be, and I suppose often are, criticized. You’re not a good enough preacher, not strategic, not detailed, not… But the gift to a community, a church body, an organization, is the leader themselves. When… 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 »
How we handle differences can reveal how we are maturing spiritually! Differences are a testing ground for how we respond to challenges, to opinions strongly stated, and to disagreements. Differences need not bring division, but they can. In fact, when those disagreeing begin to polarize, they may “reach” for other proofs or substantiations. That was happening in the church in… Read more »
Worship is a gift of God – a venue or opportunity for us to experience wonder and majesty. Most of us live “contained” lives; squeezed by limitations, rejections, disappointments. Worship is where the Lord opens the skies and reveals, reminds and re-energizes us. In worship, we enter the stories of God’s moving. In worship, we join in community to defy… Read more »