Like it or not, people change churches. There is no shepherd or sheep exempt from this scenario. The good and the not-so-good of both deal with departure. Sometimes a switch is Spirit-led; sometimes it’s self-serving. Assuming God is actually directing your move to a new … Read More
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Joshuas
A great leader and strategist of his day, Joshua was truly a man used by God to impact a whole nation. Chosen by the Lord to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, Joshua refused to shrink back from challenge after challenge, ultimately entering, conquering, … Read More
Consumeristic Followers vs. Catalytic Leaders: Six Differences
With so much at stake in ministry of the new millennium, it is not enough to create a mass following of onlookers who stare. We must develop a committed core of radical leaders who serve. Our goal must be the training of people to be … Read More
Clamped, Ramped, and Cramped
I’m not the sharpest mind on the block, but I can notice repeated patterns if given a fair shake. And the “shake” of budgets and schedules during this time of the year—whether seasonal, relational, or occupational—has shown me something about my own relationships and leadership … Read More
What to Look For In a Church
A few years ago as I was teaching from Acts 2-4, I, almost in passing, threw out some observations about what people should look for in a church. Not that these qualities are unimportant; rather, it wasn’t the bulls-eye target of the text that day. But … Read More
3 Do-Or-Die Actions I’d Encourage Young Pastors To Embrace
It has been just over a year since our church launched a young church planter to Central Asia to begin work there as a church planter/pastor. And though he had good preparation in the church before he began, as well as solid schooling prior to … Read More
Do We Really Need More Leaders?
One of the fundamental tenants I’ve lived by for 30+ years in ministry is this: leaders make all the difference. I’ve heard it and said it in a myriad of ways, such as, “We don’t need more followers, we need more leaders,” “Quit following anybody … Read More