Of all the mistakes I made as a young leader, I think the most surprising and the most costly mistake was knowing how to handle the pressure of ministry. Ministry brings pressure that seems to be unique to the calling. …
When you lead an organization — especially when you are responsible for leading an organization like the local church — there is a temptation to ignore trends or minimize the impact they will have on how you operate. It’s so…
Excuses. We all make them from time to time. But we should banish them from our vocabulary forever. And here’s why I believe that’s so critical: You can make excuses, or you can make progress, but you can’t make both.…
Conflict can ruin almost anyone’s day. And sometimes in ruin’s an entire organization’s mission. Church leaders should deal with conflict well, but as a general rule, we don’t. And because of it, we live with unnecessary conflict every day. While…
Okay, that’s a big claim. But that’s the category this falls into for me. I can’t get the question off my mind. I heard Michael Hyatt ask it and it’s proving to be extremely clarifying The question addresses one of the most…
My guess is that, whatever you lead, you want to: Lead an aligned organization See as much agreement in your organization as you can Find and cultivate consensus Let me go out on a limb here and guess that it’s…
I’ve said it. You might have said it too. Leadership is lonely. Since graduating from university, I’ve been a senior leader. It sounds more glamourous than it is. When I started, all three churches I served had a total attendance…
A few years ago, I read a survey that made me literally sit up straight as I took notice. The number of people in Canada (my country) who profess “no religion” is now at 24%, up from 16.5% a decade…
Almost every leader I talk to acknowledges that our culture is shifting. To reach a changing culture, the church needs to change. Rapidly. Don’t get me wrong, we don’t need to change the message. Just the method. One is sacred.…
Leaders are supposed to be courageous, right? And you are…sure. But let’s be honest, sometimes you’re worried. Even fearful. You need to deal with that. I know it’s hard, but here’s what’s at stake: You can’t follow fear. Why? Not just…
What if people in your ministry want to get better, but they don’t know how? What if you as a leader hold onto a counter-cultural gold mine you can’t see (because you’re so used to it) that could change how…
I talk to so many people outside the church who say they get along better than people in the church. If church people behaved like they tell other people to behave, they might come. I’ve met so many Christian couples…