Integrity
Let your “Yes” be “Yes” and your “No” be “No” I was at a faculty meeting at Bakke Graduate University where I’m a part-time prof and we were discussing the need to allow some of our doctoral students to “save face.” It seems that some of our students had told their congregations they were going […]
Christmas is About Jesus, Not a Holiday
Christmas is more than just a holiday as some would want to make it. Christmas is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus. Those who would like to de-Christianize Christmas are simply reverting to the traditions of the past. Let me explain. The history of the celebration of December 25th dates back over 4000 years. […]
Responding to the New Voices
Many new voices are on the horizon claiming to be the wave of the future. That’s both exciting, also a bit scary. Let me mention a few of the leading contenders – The Incarnational Movement, The Emergent Movement, The House Church Movement, The Emerging Church Movement, The Outward-Focused Church Movement, The Revolution Argument – I […]
Focus Interviews Searching for Clergy and Staff Leadership: Part 2 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: Do you love the church? Do you desire to be with Jesus? Philanthropy to do good stuff Mission […]
Mentoring Questions
There are five key questions pastors should ask of their board members and ministry area leaders. Staff and team leaders should ask these same questions of volunteers. Am I in it for mission or philanthropy? Am I in it for gospel or theology? Am I in it for joy or duty? Am I in it […]
Tip Three: Downsize Your Bureaucracy
by: John Laster We’ve looked at leadership systems and role clarity. Now, you need to make sure that your leadership team’s size corresponds with your intended outcomes. If the defined role of your leadership team is prayer support of the people and ministry initiatives in the congregation, it is possible for your leadership group to […]