A Quick Word for United Methodists and Others
I just started reading The Longview by Roger Parrott, and the title of the first chapter caught my attention. It says so much about why United Methodism (along with many other groups) is in deep trouble. The chapter title is “Lead as If You’ll Be There Forever.” In such a fast-changing world, one of the worst practices on […]
Sticky Teams is a Great, Practical Book
Ever so often I read a book and say to myself, “I wish I had written that.” So it is with Sticky Teams by Larry Osborne. It’s Larry’s best book to date and one of the best books I’ve read on how to build strong, trusting boards and staffs. Sticky Teams is a down-to-earth, no […]
Disciple has Too Much Baggage to Be Effective
I’m constantly asked, “What’s the best curriculum for leadership development or discipleship?” as if either one is something that can be taught and learned in a course. My response is always the same – “You are the curriculum.” I often get a blank stare because in the West we think of everything as if it […]
Does Every Group Need a Leader?
I received an email today from a client asking me if every group, even a micro group, needed an identified leader. Here is my response.It’s been my experience that no group functions at its peak without an identified leader. Even in a group of three or four, someone will emerge as first among equals or […]
The Fifth Core Spiritual Habit: Personal Faith Sharing
The fifth core spiritual habit shifts the focus from ourselves and the church, and puts it where it ultimately belongs – on others. Jesus’ last commandment was to make disciples and to be a witness to what we’ve experienced in Jesus Christ (as opposed to what we’ve experienced in the church). In general, the church […]
The Fourth Core Spiritual Habit: Kindnesses Done in Jesus’ Name
With the fourth core spiritual habit, we’ve reached a significant shift. Up until now the spiritual habits have focused either on our relationship with God or our relationship with the church. In other words, the first three core spiritual habits are inward focused. The fourth habit, though, takes Jesus’ command to love our neighbors seriously. […]