The Church Leader’s Brain in the Covid Crisis: 5 Tips to Keep your Brain Humming
Church leaders today are scrambling to find creative, innovative, and workable strategies, plans, and ideas to minister in our Covid-consumed world. I appreciate the plethora of blogs, podcasts, video-casts, and seminars offered to help us respond well. However, there is a fundamental process that precedes 100% of all ideas. And what is that process? Thinking.
Arresting Anxiety when Spiritual Practices Fail, part 2
In my last blog post, Arresting Anxiety when Spiritual Practices Fail, part 1, I shared an insight that helped me deal with anxious thoughts and emotions when spiritual practices like prayer and fasting didn’t seem to work. I realized that when I prayed for God to take away my anxiety, I was often asking God to
Arresting Anxiety when Spiritual Practices Fail, Part 1
The Apostle Paul commands this in Philippians 4.6, Do not be anxious about anything. Unfortunately, that’s easier said that done. Anxiety, an inner mental and emotional state, often feels like we’re being pulled in a zillion different directions in our soul and in our mind. Anger and regret about the past and fear and uncertainty about
Evaluating your Staff with a Simple 360 Degree Assessment
Leaders need healthy feedback to lead well. An excellent process, a 360 assessment, has helped me grow in several areas. Simply put, a 360 assessment seeks input from your peers, your supervisor, your subordinates, and a few others. I’ve had two 360’s done on me, one very extensive, and one very simple that I recommend to other
What Snorkeling Taught me about Selecting Leaders
Several years ago I spent ten days with my family vacationing in the Bahamas in a condo literally steps from the beach. The snorkeling was dazzling. I saw over two dozen varieties of fish, excluding the nurse sharks, dolphins, and a giant starfish I found. My experience with three specific fish reminded me that we leaders must
Do Pastors Wield Too Much Power?
Several years ago during our weekend services I realized how much power I wielded as a pastor. I’ve served in vocational ministry over 35 years and I knew intuitively that my position brought with it power over people, but not until then did I understand a unique power my position, and every pastor, carries. When I say
8 Indispensable Qualities Every Leader Needs
Israel’s second king, King David, poses a question about character in Psalm 15.1, “God, what do you look for in those who draw close to You?” He them summarizes the answer in the first part of verse 2 with the words ‘blameless’ and ‘righteous.’ The NASB version uses the word ‘integrity’ for ‘blameless.’ These eight
What this Leader Learned about Life from 10 Kindergarteners
Several years ago I visited the pre-school that my church ran. It included a kindergarten class. The morning I peeked in I noticed that all 10 kids were sitting in a circle holding hands. Their teacher, Autumn, invited me in to join them in their morning prayer. Delighted to do so, I sat between two dainty girls, one with
Need More Energy? Five Ways to Build It.
Energy management is the new time management. And I’ve asked my friend, Tom Harper to share his insight on that crucial subject. He just released his latest book, Servant Leader Strong which is the result of his three-year search through the Bible for wisdom on how to achieve results through servant leadership. It is a
What Mac & Cheese Taught me about the Needs of Others
A very successful businessman inadvertently taught me a lesson about paying attention to other people’s needs … with mac & cheese. Several years ago I ate breakfast at my favorite diner with one of our church’s key leaders. He owned a flourishing business and gave quite generously to our church. As I enjoyed the blue plate special of eggs,