A few years ago I met with a group of millennials in our church—asking them to help me think through leadership today. The most repeated word was “authentic.” Funny, they couldn’t necessarily define the term, but they apparently know when they see it—and when they don’t. I was talking with a young staff member of … Continued
Its true that Saddleback has gained attention because of its growth over the decades, but I dont want our church to grow just to add to our numbers. Im motivated by changed lives. Im always asking myself, Who is the next person God will radically change? Whose marriage will be transformed next? What is the […] This article discusses Rick Warren's method for crafting sermons.
Most of us change places of ministry during our career. I realize, of course, that making changes now during COVID may seem unwise, but below are 13 mistakes I’ve seen leaders make in this process of “courting” a new ministry. 1. Seeking God only when looking for a new position. If you spend time with … Continued
We cannot eliminate uncertainty. In this season of ministry, we can only address what is known. When it comes to the number of volunteers we need and in what positions we need them, there is a fair amount of uncertainty moving forward. As new guidelines and new normals are established in our churches, the ideal … Continued
For many churches, planning for the year is a big deal and requires a lot of time plus energy. If you or your church havent taken the needed time to plan your church calendar planning pivots, I would recommend that you use this season to plan for what is ahead. I know that you cant plan in as much detail […]
As you know, long before COVID, it was already difficult to get people to attend weekend church services. Travel sports, weekends away, the death of cultural Christianity and a growing indifference and increased mobility meant that for most churches, attendance was flat or declining, and for growing churches, growing attendance was, well, work. Post-COVID, as … Continued
One of the greatest strengths a leader can possess is the ability to manage emotions, to stop reacting. However, when we feel rejected, hurt or fearful, we often react, get visibly angry or become defensive. Those responses can hinder Gods work in our lives and hurt our leadership. So what can […]
It is hard to lead a small church or a young church. Perhaps it is even more challenging today than it once was. Church planters and small church pastors have a tall orderI know from personal experience. This article discusses avoiding the comparison trap. I have helped corral an army of tireless volunteers to haul chairs in and out every week. It […]
Raising up women leaders should matter to all of us, but it requires an oft-lacking intentionality. Women make up more than half the church, and God has gifted both men and women for his glory and for his purposes. People from different theological traditions will have different pathways for ministry, but none exclude the opportunity […]
When the pandemic went into full swing and the lockdowns began, I was working with a ministry client who also owned a successful business. He led hundreds of employees, and they had never even considered the idea of anyone working from home. Panic struck. They started scrambling, and it took a few weeks before they … Continued
