Winston Churchill is credited with the insightful quote, “we shape our buildings and our buildings shape us.” He was correct; the buildings we gather in shape the culture of those in the buildings. The statement can be applied to other influences as our ministries and organizations are shaped by more than the buildings we utilize….
Strategy
Links for Leaders 6/22/18
How the Best Leaders Develop Self-Control—Dan Reiland Without self-control, a leader will be sidelined, derailed, or perhaps taken out of ministry. You may need self-control to win over anger, discouragement or speaking too quickly. Another leader may need self-control for their thought life, managing money or how they use their authority. None of us escape…
6 Important and Impactful Quotes from Leaders
I recently offered my five most favorite leadership quotes. They are not from modern leaders, writers, or thinkers but from leaders, theologians, and philosophers whose writings and sayings have endured the times. This is not to say that only old, dead thinkers have the best quotes. And to prove it, here are six important and…
Leadership in the Beginning: Watching Over and Working
With all the abuses we have seen by leaders, it can be tempting to reject leadership. But leadership was not always tainted by sin. God gave leadership to humanity before sin corrupted and tainted everything. We should abhor the sin that corrupts leadership, not the principle of leadership or God’s design for it. Leadership existed…
Links for Leaders 11/17/17
John Newton on Suffering in the Pastor’s Life—Erik Reed People are hurting. Many of the people in our congregations are experiencing terrible trials and afflictions. As pastors, we must have our taste as well. It is one thing to hear of others struggles or to talk about them in an application of a message, but…
3 Reasons You Must Have a Strategy if You Blog
As I shared recently, I never intended to become active on social media. My boss intended it for me and I am glad he did. It has helped me formulate thoughts more clearly, has pushed me to keep learning, and has broadened the types of people I can connect with. At first, I did not…
6 Ways to NOT Waste Your Budgeting Process
Some people believe a budgeting process is a waste of time. I don’t mean the people who have a visceral reaction to budgets and strategy, but there are prudent and wise leaders who view a long budgeting process as bad stewardship. They say things like: We don’t even know how this year will end. “We…
No Dashboard Is Better Than a Wrong One
What’s worse: Driving a car with no gas gauge or driving one with a gauge that’s incorrect? The answer is obviously driving a car with an incorrect gas gauge is far worse. When there is no gas gauge or one you know does not work, you know not to trust it. You fill up more…
6 Questions You Should Be Asking Those You Lead
Great leaders ask great questions. Great leaders ask questions to learn but also to encourage those they lead to think strategically. Below are six questions leaders should be asking those they lead. They may not show up in a meeting agenda or on a questionnaire, but wise leaders are continually asking those they lead these…
Links for Leaders 7/21/17
“Work to stay in your ministry long enough to lead your church well.” Craig Thompson shares 10 short steps for pastors to have a long tenure in their pastorate on the LifeWay Pastors blog. “Anytime you become the hero by solving the problem, you risk teaching your team that without you, the situation is helpless.” At…