There’s no denying the stress in recent days surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak. The reaction has been fast and fluid—the Dow Jones dropping some 4,000 … [Read more...] about Coronavirus and the Church
Trusted Leadership Begins Here
Today’s church faces great uncertainty and risk. To be alive and well calls for trusted leadership. Imagine two lists: One contains the qualities that … [Read more...] about Trusted Leadership Begins Here
Re-Thinking Interim Ministry
Over more than forty years as a pastor and now as an interim pastor and as a congregational and leadership coach, I have had a wide array of … [Read more...] about Re-Thinking Interim Ministry
New Year, New Thinking
Amy Butler, pastor of the Riverside Church in NYC, recently reminded congregational leaders: "Make it our priority to perpetually reframe the … [Read more...] about New Year, New Thinking
People Talk
Church people talk. They talk about all kinds of things. They talk about the pastor, her sermon, how many people used to be in worship, and what we … [Read more...] about People Talk
The Ministry of Words
I stood in a hospital room crowded with family members of one who, without a single word, had summoned us all together. She was ready, after almost 94 … [Read more...] about The Ministry of Words
Courage to Become
I’ll never forget August 3, 1995. The family and I were in Destin, Florida with good friends. We vacationed here regularly during the child-rearing … [Read more...] about Courage to Become
The Practice of Warming
I love this time of year, don’t you? Even though the days are getting shorter, I love the cool, crisp air and the changing colors of fall. It’s nice … [Read more...] about The Practice of Warming
Pastor, Which Hat Will You Wear?
At the Center for Healthy Churches we often consider the distinctions implied between serving congregations as “consultants” and “coaches.” Implied … [Read more...] about Pastor, Which Hat Will You Wear?