4 lies about success it’s time to defeat
Maybe you've heard a few lies about success. Worse, maybe you believed a few. There's a common thread…sometimes unspoken, sometimes articulated, that suggests that success always has to come at the expense of the deeper or more important things in life. Often, the narrative involves questioning the motives and tactics of anyone who's 'successful'—whatever that means. Even 'success' itself is an elusive term. What does it mean? For me, I like to define success at work as accomplishing your mission. When I was in law, it was serving the client well and winning as many cases as possible (remember, it's [...]
How to de-clutter your thinking for great decision-making
Clear decision-making flows from an uncluttered mind. Knowing how to de-clutter your thinking can make or break your ability to make the right call. When a decision is looming, it's time for clarity. It's the time for an ability to organize your thoughts, weigh the most relevant data and sift through the most important opinions. But if instead, your mind seems to be a cluttered maelstrom of swirling, confusing and even contradictory facts and perspectives, you are suffering from one of the most debilitating conditions known to limit the effectiveness of leaders everywhere: Your mind is cluttered. But since just [...]
4 reasons to turn your staff meetings into prayer meetings
If you love the preacher, you go on Sunday morning. If you love the church, you are back on Sunday night. But if you love Jesus, you attend the prayer meeting on Wednesday. Though its effectiveness was dubious, such guilt-ridden appeals were how pastors of old communicated the importance of corporate prayer. I may have used the line a time or two myself. Publicly praying, however, seems contrary to the heart of what Jesus taught on the matter. While pastors make the commitment to prayer meetings the highest badge of honor, Jesus spoke of private attendance in an unseen closet [...]
When leaders get hooked on being right
If this has ever happened to you, a small almond-shaped structure called the amygdala has hijacked your brain.
What if I’m not ready to be healed?
Do you ever get cynical like the man in this story? Resenting those who have plenty, or who are healthy, or who seem to have opportunities handed to them?
6 ways social media toxicity is hurting pastors
Pastors of 20 years ago had to deal with the occasional anonymous hate mail, but today, pastors can get hit daily with negative social media posts.
Become a better leader by learning to follow better
There is no MBA program that elevates the concept of followership as an essential element of leading a successful enterprise. But followership is essential to leadership done well.
The pastoral search committee process: Broken and ineffective
Ever wait for a search committee to make its selection? Ever get frustrated with the length of time you have had to wait?
Leadership lessons simplified: Whatever he says, do it
We experience transformation when we know what Jesus says and turn that knowledge into obedient activity.
Why lay people can (and should) plant churches
The desire to plant churches using laypeople is not new, but it is finding a renewed emphasis.
5 books leaders should read in September 2021
There's a never-ending great wealth of information to be found in books. Here's a list of great titles that will help you either professionally, personally or spiritually.
5 things you need to hear right now
The burden of leadership is a given but it seems that the weight of it is a little extra daunting right now. A lot is being required of you.
How your church can start and benefit from a thriving internship program
Internships are great ways to find and develop your future staff.
4 components of on-the-way leadership
On-the-way leaders are always on the lookout for leadership moments wherever they are.
How to lead when you’re facing constant loss and continual bad news
Here are five things that I hope can help you when you're under constant stress and there's no light at the end of the tunnel. I know they've helped me in hard seasons.
Here’s how to make an impact every day
God created work, He loves work, and He wants to use you in your work to glorify Him and introduce others to Jesus.
5 neuroscience techniques that improve brainstorming
The next time you lead a staff brainstorming session include a few of these five ingredients in your meeting and see what happens.
How to create a culture of accountability
Many leaders struggle with building cultures of accountability. As a result, they spend an enormous amount of time, energy, and resources chasing after their tails.
5 phrases you might be using to kill your leadership credibility
If you've been finding that your leadership has not been as sharp lately, it could be that your team is not responding to your leadership. And the culprit might be found in your credibility.
Who deserves our ultimate attention?
Presidents and professors deserve our attention. Preachers and prognosticators each deserve their due Sunday by Sunday as one speaks God's words of truth and life and the other tells us who is going to win football games.
