The power of a timely word
At the halfway point of every great dream, discouragement creeps in—and one timely word of encouragement can mean the difference between quitting and finishing strong.
Clear thinking: your secret weapon against leadership stress
When a $200 cash crisis at a remote East African airport threatened to derail everything, I was reminded that the first and most essential leadership skill in any problem is ruthless clarity of thought.
Why outgoing leaders should never pick their successor: a leadership succession warning
When boards surrender succession to the outgoing CEO, they may preserve comfort in the short term—but they risk governance failure, strategic drift, and organizational collapse in the long run.
This sign in my office helps me experience and share God’s love
Fred Rogers shows us that the secret to extraordinary love in ordinary work is not busyness but hidden prayer, where time alone with God becomes compassion poured out on others.
Church SEO: branding terms defined
If people can’t find your church on the first page of Google, they likely won’t find you at all—so understanding the basics of SEO isn’t optional, it’s mission-critical.
The hidden unchurched harvest
The largest mission field in your community may not be the seeking or the resistant, but the quietly neutral middle who are disconnected from church yet surprisingly open through consistent, relational ministry.
Follow forward in prayer: leadership lessons from Andy Hawthorne
Before you chase your next big idea, ask this: is it your idea—or a God-idea born in prayer?
A call back to servant leadership
In an age of fallen megastars and viral scandals, this is a call back to the Malachi warning and the Jesus model—where true pastoral leadership is measured not by platform or applause, but by humble, faithful, servant-hearted obedience.
How to get off the emotional roller coaster of ministry
Before you walk away from ministry, discover six practical habits that can steady your emotions, protect your calling, and help you thrive without riding the roller coaster.
Building your leadership track record
Your future leadership isn't built on promises but on patterns—start leading where you are, and let your track record speak before you ever ask for a title.
VIDEO: Stop saying Gen. Z or Gen. Alpha! Ask these 3 questions to get to know them.
Instead of stereotypes, connect by learning how they communicate, behave, and identify group members.
7 mistakes pastors make in a new church job
Starting a new church job can be daunting, and pastors often miss key pitfalls. In this post on pastoral onboarding, I outline seven mistakes to avoid.
Why nice leaders finish last—and take their teams with them
A well-intentioned leader risks long-term damage to performance, culture, and relationships when he prioritizes comfort and harmony over courageous conversations and clear accountability.
Why guests don’t come to your church after a big event
I've seen it in towns across America. Churches put tremendous energy and money into events—fall festivals, concerts, car shows, you name it—and then wonder why no one returns.
Anxious? Try this life-changing practice for 7 days.
We can't do our most exceptional work for the glory of God and the good of others if we are constantly anxious. So how can we "guard our hearts and our minds"? Here are 3 ideas.
What to say and do for your friend with a grieving heart
After losing his wife, Tom Crenshaw reflects on how GriefShare and the steady presence of patient, empathetic friends—and ultimately God’s guidance—taught him that healing from grief requires community, grace, and the courage to walk the journey together rather than alone.
Followership before leadership
There's no shortage of leadership content available today. And yet, a nagging question remains: If we know so much about leadership, why are there so few great leaders?
Church rebranding: 3 things to know (warning)
Church rebranding is a valuable trend for increasing evangelism, membership, and participation. If you haven't rebranded in the last few years, it's probably time.
Servant leadership
The concept of "Servant leadership" is a great principle. But let's not let misconceptions creep in and rob it of its greatest impact.
How to give effective staff evaluations
For years I've used this form below when I perform my twice-annual staff evaluations.
