This week I wrap up sharing principles of effective leadership. We first looked at learning how to lead yourself, then learning how to lead another person, and last week learning to lead teams. This week the next level of leadership is that of leading organizations. As a pastor, we have been called to be a…
The past few weeks I have shared the principle that effective leadership starts with first learning how to lead yourself, then learning how to lead another person – one on one. The next level in a leadership ladder is knowing how to effectively lead teams. This is moving from discipleship to building and directing ministry…
Last week I shared the principle that effective leadership starts with first learning how to lead yourself, and that begins by learning how to first be a follower. The next level of leadership is learning how to lead another person – one on one. This is the level of one disciple making another disciple. This…
One of the things I can assure you of – there are lots of books and resources out there on leadership. Understandably, it is a topic that draws a lot of interest because it is so needed. If you Google leadership, or still go to bookstores, you will find a plethora of books giving you…
I recently finished the book Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory by Tod Bolsinger. The author shares how Lewis and Clark had to adapt their leadership strategy to accomplish the mission they had been given from President Thomas Jefferson. Hoping to find a water way to use from the Mississippi to the Pacific they instead…
This coming Sunday you will be celebrating the wonder of all wonders – the joy and hope of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we recount the death of our Savior on the cross as an atonement for our sin, his burial in a garden tomb, we rejoice in the truth that it…
I recently shared with a few churches the concept of a church lifecycle bell curve. It demonstrates the growth, maturation, plateau and decline most churches often experience. When a congregation self discovers that it has plateaued or is experiencing decline, there is an important question the leaders need to ask. The essential watershed query is,…
I recently have been learning and teaching on the idea of resilience, i.e., the ability and strength to bounce back. In life and in ministry we often experience the body slams of trouble and tribulation. Jesus told us we would face these experiences but adds, “But take heart I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). …
Healthy Structures – Discipleship This week I share the ninth and final target for healthy churches – Discipleship. The three targets under the category Healthy Structures are Leadership, Membership, and Discipleship. As Baptist we are people who have been champions at pointing to the Great Commission as our purpose and mandate. Jesus gave us the holy order…
Healthy Structures – Membership This week I share the eighth of nine targets for healthy churches – Membership. The three targets under the category Healthy Structures are Leadership, Membership, and Discipleship. One of the New Testament images of the church is that of a Body made up of many members (1 Cor. 12:12-14, 27). Paul goes on…