This article originally appeared on MissioAlliance.org and is reposted here by permission. In 2004, Patricia O’Connell Killen and Mark Silk edited and contributed to the book Religion and Public Life in the Pacific Northwest: The None Zone. Since its publication, people in Pacific Northwest (PNW) religious circles have discussed and strategized ways to do ministry in the … Continued
So you’re leading in a tougher environment than you’ve ever led through in your life. How do you find momentum and growth in a season when everything you spend your life working toward changed overnight? A lot of churches and organizations are struggling deeply with momentum right now, and in many cases it feels like … Continued
Navigating and leading through a crisis or crises is draining on a leader. For instance, when you take into account the current pandemic (a health crisis) and all the other crises that the pandemic has causedlike economic, resource and organizational crisesits no wonder that many pastors and church leaders are leading on fumes. Implementing leader self-care crisis strategies is vital. In addition […]
RACE & THE GOSPEL Before the coronavirus entered the world and changed our lives, there was the pandemic of white supremacy. That is the idol, the principality and power, that fuels racism. In America, that pandemic has supported genocide, the separation of families and the stealing of property from indigenous people. It resulted in the … Continued
Even in the midst of pandemic, we church leaders have to continue providing pastoral care for our sheep. Here are some reflections on this task in these unusual days: 1. The telephone has become a greater tool of ministry. Actually calling someone and talking to someone has become a much more significant approach to ministering … Continued
This is probably one of the hardest seasons youve ever led through. One of the things thats making this season particularly challenging is that, regardless of ideology, theology or viewpoint, we are more divided and adamant than ever. People dont agree on masks, social distancing, schooling, reopening church, online church politics or whether theres even […]
Our church was not the first in our county (and definitely not in the country) to start holding worship gatherings again, and I am thankful for those who began worship gatherings before we did as we were able to learn some lessons from them. But as we have begun outdoor gatherings, I am getting emails about reopening church gatherings […]
You’re familiar with the common scenario where someone half-jokingly asks for advice for a “friend.” Everyone knows the “friend” is actually the person asking the question. Well, that scenario happens in leadership all the time. I call it: the question behind the question. The question behind the question may be the more important question. Sometimes … Continued
The U.S. military created the acronym VUCA right after the Cold War. While the war was going on, the battle lines of the world were pretty much set in place. But after that, the situation was volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. And our situation right now is pretty much the same. We want to lead … Continued
According to Tim Johnson in his book, Crisis Leadership: How to Lead in Times of Crisis, Threat, and Uncertainty, there are two types of crises: incident and issue crises. Incident crises are like tornadoes, issue crises are like hurricanes. Ive had experience in both tornado and hurricane environments. They are both scary, nonetheless. In any […] Understanding the brain science in crisis leadership can help leaders navigate these turbulent times more effectively.
