Leadership

While almost a third of this younger generation does not claim a particular religion (the “nones”), they attend religious services at a slightly higher rate than their Millennial and Gen X parents.

The worst part of pastoring is not the hospitals, the funerals, the weddings, or the administration. It’s not about attacks from the outside world or the harassment of those picketing the church because the preacher is taking a stand on some issue from the pulpit. It’s none of these things.

Pastors seldom know who we can trust, which is why we become guarded and may appear harder to get to know. Most senior pastors have been burned by someone they once trusted. Many senior pastors have seasons where it feels the staff, church leaders and congregation are talking about us behind our back.

Don’t ask your pastor to make every decision. Most pastors are “decision weary.” Unless the issue is critical, see if you can find solutions other than going to the pastor with the problem or need.

A weakness or limitation is different than being a weak person or a limited leader. It’s an acknowledgment of your humanity and gives you clues to how God wants to use you.

While God is powerful to do his supernatural work in even the most adverse situations, we hamper our effectiveness when we fail to pursue both holiness and wholeness.

There’s something unique about Jesus that is absolutely compelling, and if we can make him our story, then watch out.

Sometimes, you just have to be comfortable with silence. In any conversation, if you aren’t disciplined about how you communicate, the people around you get distracted, bored, and even annoyed.