Leadership Team Field Exercise 3: What Are You Avoiding?

From “Gaining Traction” (Chalice Press, 2007) Leadership teams are too busy “doing,” and rarely spend enough time thinking and sharing with one another about who God has called them to be and how they are functioning together.  Use this Field Exercise as a catalyst for some needed heart level conversation in your team. Foster an […]

Leadership Team Field Exercise 2: Ambiguity of Leadership Language

By: John Laster From “Gaining Traction” (Chalice Press, 2007) Do some informal research the next time you as a leader can procure about 5 minutes in a gathering of a cross section of the congregation (a class, small group, town hall meeting, fellowship gathering, or other setting). •     Let people know you need their input on […]

Focus Interviews Searching for Clergy and Staff Leadership: Part 3 of 3

Search committees are always looking for pastors and additional staff, but they need to know the difference between mission-driven leadership and maintenance-drive leadership. Here is the first set of distinctions you need to make in your interviews: I am in a therapeutic process          I am charging ahead with clarity of purpose Ministry is a stage in […]

Focus Interviews Searching for Clergy and Staff Leadership

Search committees are always looking for pastors and additional staff, but they need to know the difference between mission-driven leadership and maintenance-drive leadership. Here is the first set of distinctions you need to make in your interviews: Maintenance                                  Mission Serving the church                         Serving the Mission Serving the membership                Serving Christ Care Taking for members               Care Giving to […]

Great Mentors

Leadership development requires a core group of mentors. This should include the pastor, of course, but must expand to include other staff and key volunteer leaders. The #1 reason seekers come to church is to find mentors who can help them endure the ambiguities and overcome the obstacles in life. Every great mentor is both […]

Leadership Team Field Exercise 1: Spiritual Leadership

By: John Laster From “Gaining Traction” (Chalice Press, 2007) Leadership teams are too busy “doing,” and rarely spend enough time thinking and sharing with one another about who God has called them to be and how they are functioning together.  Use this Field Exercise as a catalyst for some needed heart level conversation in your team. […]