“A wise scribe,” Jesus said, “is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old” (Matthew 13:52). There’s … [Read more...] about An Old Treasure: The Rule of Saint Benedict and 21st-Century Leadership
The day the Bodybuilders met the Baptists
I recently attended a national gathering of Baptists that was a stark reminder to me of the desperate need for congregational and clergy health. Some … [Read more...] about The day the Bodybuilders met the Baptists
More Wednesdays, Fewer Thursdays
How quickly our conversations can go from theoretical to all-too-real. On Wednesday, I spent a rewarding day in Tennessee on a retreat with 45 … [Read more...] about More Wednesdays, Fewer Thursdays
The High Cost of Self-Preservation
A young pastor was recently recounting the events that led to his dismissal. Throughout the painful ordeal, he had relied upon a small group of … [Read more...] about The High Cost of Self-Preservation
How to ruin a sermon
Healthy churches are marked by engaging worship. Engaging worship is nearly always marked by excellent preaching. Good preaching comes in a myriad of … [Read more...] about How to ruin a sermon
Cultivating a Culture of Call
Nearly all observers of the 21st century church in America agree that the next generation of leadership is a cause for concern. Many write, blog, … [Read more...] about Cultivating a Culture of Call
Staff-led or Staff-controlled?
One of the key predictors of strong congregational health is the type of leadership the ministerial and paid staff of a congregation offers. When the … [Read more...] about Staff-led or Staff-controlled?
The Conflict Pandemic
Whenever I address a group about the work our organization does, I mention that one of our frequent calls is to help a congregation, staff, … [Read more...] about The Conflict Pandemic
Holding your staff accountable
Previously, I suggested that the starting point for bringing health and effectiveness to a church’s ministerial staff is the critical work of … [Read more...] about Holding your staff accountable
