This week as I continue sharing traits of an effective leader, I focus on another difficult but important trait of a leader – handling and mitigating conflict. I have heard it said that conflict is not necessarily good or bad but managed or mismanaged. As a leader it is important to understand not only the…
As I continue sharing traits of an effective leader, this week I focus on the attributes of risk taking and courage. These are aspects of leadership that are easier to define and discuss than to practice, simply because it can be costly. I have heard it said that courage is not the absence of fear…
This week I focus on an important but sometimes difficult trait of a leader – vision. What makes this difficult is not so much its definition but its formation. I’ve read a lot of definitions, but the one I like best is from Aubrey Malphurs: “A vision is a clear, compelling picture of God’s future…
This week I focus on a broad subject but one that is important to point out. Leadership is a topic of many books and seminars, and I encourage those who lead to take advantage of these resources. I have heard many pastors indicate that their education taught them how to be good theologians and care…
This week I continue sharing a series of articles focused on things I have learned that are traits of an effective pastor and leader. Some might suggest having a passion for and dependence on God should go without saying, but the truth is that one can be competent to lead others but fail to lead…
This week I continue sharing a series of articles focused on things I have learned that are traits of an effective pastor and leader. Once again, I share Psalm 78:70-72. He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; he brought him from tending ewes to be shepherd over his people Jacob –…
For the next couple of months, I am going to be sharing a series of articles focused on things I have learned that are traits of an effective pastor and leader. A wonderful description was made of King David in Psalm 78:70-72. He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; he brought…
One of the key principles of leadership I have learned from many in the field of church revitalization is that knowing and clearly articulating your mission is the first and primary step. One of my favorite philosophers, Yogi Berra, said, “If you don’t know where you are going, you might end up somewhere else.” Mission…
I saw an interview the other day about a couple who took an interest in sailing. They took lessons, bought a sailboat, and then made their way from taking short trips to eventually a voyage to Tahiti. I was impressed by their dedication and sense of adventure. I was reminded of an analogy shared by…
An oft told legendary story about Muhammed Ali is that while flying on an airplane a flight attendant asked the famed boxing champion to put on his seat belt. He purportedly said, “Superman, don’t need no seatbelt.” The quick-witted attendant replied, “Well, Superman don’t need no plane!” It was a bold but necessary reminder that…