Ive been thinking about confessions lately. Augustines Confessions in particular. I even quoted The City of God in my Sunday messageI felt quite scholarly talking about inordinately loved things. Yet, for today, I want to focus on what is among his best known quotes. He wrote, Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and […]
The past months have brought a great disturbance to our “normal.” Beginning with the COVID-19 pandemic, the way life, especially church, has been done regularly was halted. And then came the resurfacing of racial tensions in America. In a place where the modern American church has often been silent, many are seeking to know what … Continued
Leadership is more important now than ever. In fact, good leadership is essential if we hope to make progress toward a better future. In well over three decades, Ive had the privilege to connect with thousands of leaderssome for a short time, and many in great depth. These many connections have allowed me to identify certain great leaders practices that the best leaders I know consistently practice. (Not perfectly, but consistently.)
Prior to COVID-19, we could connect with those in our congregation and communities almost whenever we wanted. We could have lunch with them, meet at local sports games and of course see them before or after the worship experience. However, now those options really do seem to be things of the past. I am sure though that we would all agree that connection in life and in church are of the upmost importance. But how do you pivot church connection?
Several of the most famous quotes about leadership point to the paradox of embracing the challenge of the season and giving vision and hope in the midst of the challenges. Max Depree quipped: “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is … Continued
The more we pastors help people discover, develop and deploy their spiritual gifts, the healthier our churches become. In this post I suggest six tips that can help others discover their gifts. 1. Ask, “What Do I Enjoy Doing/What Do I Do Well?” A good indicator of where a person’s giftedness lies may be found … Continued
Church planters share their advice from the front lines.
If you, or your church, had plans for a mission trip this summer, you know its not happening. Travel fears and restrictions, global quarantine and the financial strain caused by COVID-19 have created a stay-at-home summer. No doubt, you are disappointed, and I can assure you that those on the field are too. The missionaries […]
You probably already have some regrets as a leader. I know I do. Not only as a leader, but as a husband, dad and friend too. Leadership is so complicated that sometimes its hard to know what to focus on. Add a global crisis into the mix and its even more confusing. So why is it that so many of us adopt practices that lead to fewer regrets?
My family loves the movie The Greatest Showman. Its the (highly embellished) account of P.T. Barnums rise to success. Theres a moving scene where his prospective father-in-law tells Barnum hell never be good enough for the mans daughter. He says, Shell see that and one day come back; shell grow tired of the poor life […]
