In his book, The Advantage, Patrick Lencioni makes a powerful case that intelligence is not enough when the task is leadership. Being smart … [Read more...] about Visionary Leadership Requires Clarity
A New Set of Metrics
I recently found this photo of my mom standing with my sisters and me on an Easter Sunday morning around 1964. Aside from my stunning fashion … [Read more...] about A New Set of Metrics
7 Traits of Thriving Congregations: Relevant Practices
Timeless or timely…which would you rather be? It was the mid 1990’s and my friend was in her first semester of seminary. She went to the … [Read more...] about 7 Traits of Thriving Congregations: Relevant Practices
Reflections on Worship and Music Ministry
"Tradition is the living faith of the dead; traditionalism is the dead faith of the living.” ~ Jaroslav Pelikan I am grateful that I serve Wilshire … [Read more...] about Reflections on Worship and Music Ministry
Learning to Collaborate x 3
When I started out as a young associate pastor, I was deeply aware of how little I knew about ministry. I wasn’t sure how to lead a … [Read more...] about Learning to Collaborate x 3
From Risk Management to Risk Taking
On this one-year anniversary of the start of the Covid Pandemic, it seems appropriate to take stock and assess the American Church. For many of us, … [Read more...] about From Risk Management to Risk Taking
Transience
Every year we have a new group of people on the stewardship committee that are ecstatic when we tell them that 10-12% of the pledge campaign comes … [Read more...] about Transience
21st Century Ministry: Like Growing Potatoes on Mars
While engaged in a conversation with some of my closest colleagues about the changes and challenges of pastoral ministry, Bill Wilson, Director of the … [Read more...] about 21st Century Ministry: Like Growing Potatoes on Mars
Learning to See with God’s Eyes
Some years ago, I spent a few days at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, one of my denomination’s most vibrant congregations. The church’s campus, … [Read more...] about Learning to See with God’s Eyes