Does Your Team Trust, Respect, and Like Each Other (and You)?
The healthiest teams share mutual trust and respect and like each other. They trust each other, have respect for one another’s contribution to the whole, and enjoy each other. Because such a team is so healthy, those that the team is designed to serve benefit. If one or more of the three (trust, respect, like) […]
When Should Leaders Change Their Minds?
The following is a guest post by Dr. Jeff Iorg. Jeff Iorg is president of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books, including Seasons of a Leader’s Life, The Painful Side of Leadership, and Unscripted. Iorg, and his wife Ann have three children and live in Mill Valley, Calif. His hobbies include […]
Machiavelli, the Godfather, and Our Upside-Down Kingdom
Which is more important for a leader, to be loved or to be feared? The question has existed and has been debated for centuries. For example, the famous philosopher Machiavelli believed that it is rare to be both feared and loved, and if a leader were confronted with choosing one over the other, then the […]
5 Ways to Display Self-Control
Below is a guest blog from Chip Henderson. Chip serves as senior pastor of Pinelake Church in Brandon, Mississippi. The Lord has done and is doing a great work at Pinelake. Chip is also the author of two LifeWay studies, Samson and Pressure Points (studies from James). Both are great for groups and classes. Samson’s […]
Lecrae, Jimmy Fallon, and Making Culture
I am no Jimmy Fallon, but last year I had the opportunity to interview Lecrae. I was honored to spend some time discussing faith, culture, and music with him. I respect Lecrae, his music, and his mission. Lecrae said that if his new album, Anomaly, hit #1 on iTunes, he would release a free bonus song. […]
Leadership and “Placing Bets”
For the last three years, I have enjoyed regular coaching conversations with Steve Graves. Steve is a Christ-follower and a consultant/coach. He recently recounted a conversation he had with a leader of a multi-billion dollar global company who shared with him that “leadership is really about placing bets.” As leaders, we are constantly confronted with […]
2 Unintended Consequences of the Idea That “Anyone Can Lead a Group”
Over a decade ago, many small group pastors began to communicate messages such as “Anyone can lead a small group” and “If you can press play and make coffee, you can lead a small group.” For some of these churches, these messages were a way to help change the perception of what it takes to […]
3 Benefits of Launching New Groups
Every Fall churches across the country gear up to kick off a new season of small groups (or Sunday school classes, life groups, etc.). While many agree that these groups and classes are an important part of their church’s ministry, we often fail to realize the importance of new groups in light of a church’s […]
Character First
When the apostle Paul challenged Timothy to reproduce himself in others, to broaden the number of leaders, and to hand ministry over to more people, he emphasized character over competence. He didn’t diminish competence, but he started with character. Notice the order of the language of this often-quoted leadership development verse: The things you have […]
10 Wise Leadership Lessons I’ll Never Forget
The following is a guest post by Faith Whatley. Faith serves on our team in the Church Resources Division at LifeWay and is the director of adult ministry. She is an incredible leader and it is an honor to serve churches alongside her. While some of her articles on our leadership channel are directed to women […]