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 »
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 »
Holy leaders are a gift to the people. They are evidence of God’s love for us! Isn’t that striking? When we ponder how much the Lord loves us, one expression is the leaders He places over us! The sacrifice of a leader is an expression of our value! The willingness of a leader to lay down their life (which could… Read more »
The average person, statistics reveal, attends church 1.8 times per month. That’s a churched person! That means the typical church goer gets to church 22 times per year. Other stats point to the growing number of people who attend church, but do not connect or ever truly know Jesus. And I agree, somewhat. If going to church means just showing up, dropping a… Read more »
My friend was in a challenging church and I was in the office on the floor praying for him. My bible beside me, and my journal and pen were my companions. As was the Holy Spirit, for as I prayed my heart was shook. The church he was leading was in constant resistance mode, constant turmoil. As I was praying for him the word… 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 »
Life without wonder is lived small, lived in the confines of our thinking, our ability, our limitations. Wonder opens our imagination. Wonder calls us to live in majesty, in the amazement of a God to whom nothing is impossible. Wonder opens us to possibilities and future. Leaders need wonder. Leaders need to be captured by the majesty of the Lord who orchestrates future, who calls… 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 »