3 Wrong Assumptions Church Leaders Make
The following is a guest post by Trevin Wax. Trevin Wax is managing editor of The Gospel Project at LifeWay Christian Resources, and blogger at The Gospel Coalition. As a church leader, you’ve probably noticed that when your assumptions are incorrect, you’re more likely to implement plans that don’t go anywhere. Why? Because what we’ve assumed to be […]
Flying and the Expulsive Power of a New Affection
I do not like getting on airplanes. I don’t like going through security. I don’t like taking my shoes off and getting my socks all wrinkled up in my shoes. Airport food is just a notch above tolerable to me. I can’t stand turbulence. I really don’t like the center seat, especially near the back […]
Leading from the Pulpit
I remember the criticism well. The pastor of the church I was serving had just finished sharing his heart during the sermon about a direction he and a community of leaders sensed the Lord was leading the church. He wasn’t leading alone. Prayer and discussion had taken place in community with other leaders—some staff and […]
Not Fair to Lead Everyone the Same
I remember hearing sports commentators debate the rightness and fairness of Phil Jackson’s admission that he led each of his players differently—that he treated Michael Jordan differently from another player on the team. Some cried foul, insisting that a coach is responsible to ensure equity, and in doing so, each player must be treated the […]
Marcus Aurelius and Our Lives
In approximately A.D. 62, the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Colossians: All things have been created through Him and for Him… and by Him all things hold together. Sometime between the years 161 and 180, Marcus Aurelius wrote his famous Meditations. Some believe Marcus Aurelius was a great leader, a great emperor. […]
Micromanagement or Leadership?
What some people call micromanagement is really leadership providing necessary accountability. And what some leaders call leadership is really micromanagement. For example—when meeting with staff teams, I have often heard conflicting statements from both leaders and those they lead. A leader will say, “I wish I had people I could trust with greater leadership,” while […]
Groups Matter: An Interview with Ed Stetzer on Transformational Groups
The following is an interview with Dr. Ed Stetzer, Executive Director of LifeWay Research. Ed and I recently co-authored a book, Transformational Groups. Ed, you and I worked on this book together, so I know a little bit of your thoughts on groups and community, but why did you see a need for a book on […]
Theology of Staffing
Pastor David is perpetually frustrated, and he is self-aware enough to know it. As his church is growing, it seems he is always overwhelmed with details, dropped balls, and urgent discussions and decisions. In response, he is about to hire another part-time staff member. He thinks, If I can just get another body on my […]
The Drawings of Daughters and the Image of the Invisible God
One fun part of having two little girls is watching them draw pictures of our family. Here is an actual image of our family… It is not an exact representation because it is not three-dimensional, and it won’t respond to you if you talk to the picture. But it is a picture of our family. […]
What Dwells in Your Life and Your Community?
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. [Colossians 3:15-16] The […]