“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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Powerful theology forms powerful SPIRITUAL leaders. When the word forms our worldview we see differently. We see those we lead differently. We see obstacles and opposition differently. Ultimately the skills of a leader do matter. But the key factor is the leader’s soul. When leaders experience theology (meaning the power of the word in their world) they become powerful spiritual… Read more »
Over the past few decades the call has been to shape the Sunday worship around the unchurched. Continually leaders speak of how they are implementing this tactic. This model is certainly one option and does indeed have impact. However, the implications flowing from that one decision to implement that model can also be treacherous. For instance, if the Sunday experience… 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 »