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7 Ways Leaders Quench the Spirit
In an earlier blog I wrote about how leaders become weary of putting out fires, ("Smelling Like Smoke, Feeling Like Hamburger") but there is a fire we that we ought to welcome, fuel, and fan when it …- Hal West -
Signs of Life: Seven Positive Indicators the Church You Are Leading is Still Alive
There is an old dogwood tree in my yard. It has been a beautiful addition in a yard dominated by tall long leaf pines. Unfortunately, I think its dead. I first noticed a problem late last fall when …- Hal West -
The Secret Power of Re
Words have power in the force of their meaning and in their effect in communication. When words contain prefixes and suffixes, the power of those words to communicate meaning is re-enforced. Re is …- Hal West -
Perfect Form/Imperfect Soul
It is a masterpiece, transcending time and culture and changing techniques and tastes in art. It has an intriguing history and unique contribution to the world of visual arts. Michelangelo began his …- Hal West -
Smelling Like Smoke, Feeling Like Hamburger
I recently built a backyard fire pit. I poured a concrete slab about 12 feet in diameter and put together a fire pit kit I had ordered from a home-improvement store. It turned out really well, and …- Hal West -
Are You Too Predictable?
This is the time of the year when predictions make headlines and are featured on talk shows. Prognosticators, psychics, soothsayers, and seers alike announce and discuss what they see coming on …- Hal West -
Christmas More or Less
Overheard between two pastors at a January Ministers' meeting: Pastor 1: Happy New Year, brother! How was Christmas at your church? Good? Pastor 2: More or less. Pastor 1: More or less? Pastor 2 …- Hal West -
Don’t Become a Pawn Star:
If you haven't watched any of the History Channel's Pawn Stars you don't watch enough television! Maybe I'm being sarcastic, but it's a pretty interesting show. The show is about a pawn shop in Las …- Hal West -
Getting People Back to Work: Part 2
The happiest people I know are people engaged in meaningful work of some kind. My dad is a 92-year-old retired lawyer. He's no longer able to walk. He gets around on wheels – a wheel chair, a …- Hal West -
Getting People Back to Work: Part 1
The 2012 election came to its climactic end last week, and I'm really missing all those speeches, debates, and those very uplifting political ads, aren't you? And, man, I'm having withdrawals from …- Hal West -
When It Gets Personal, It Gets Personal
No matter what the challenges and changes a group of people might be facing, it always has a way of becoming personal. Know this: When it gets personal, it gets personal. Ask any leader who has …- Hal West -
Dodging the Dysfunctional Draw
"I never thought we were a dysfunctional family, but maybe we are." That's what the lady said to me after she had told me all the things that were happening in her family with her children and …- Hal West -
The Chain of Commission: A Different Look at Church Structure
Understanding that the New Testament hands us little in the way of church organizational structure, we also recognize an essential need for a structure of some kind that is both efficient and …- Hal West -
Treatment: Third Steps in Healing a Hurting Congregation
My wife, Elliott, was not aware just how critically ill she was. The sedation and trauma had her very confused and quite oblivious to her condition. I, the worrier, was more than a little concerned …- Hal West -
Testing: Second Steps in Healing a Hurting Congregation
In my last blog, I wrote about a triage ministry that addresses some first steps in leading a hurting congregation toward healing. I used the example of my wife's difficult experience with a life …- Hal West -
Triage: First Steps in Healing a Hurting Congregation
About ten years ago, I took my wife to the emergency room at the urging of our physician. We had seen him that afternoon because my wife had an unexplained excruciating pain in her foot. He had given …- Hal West -
Handcuffed: Arrested Authority
It's a familiar scene, played out every night in television dramas. A suspect is apprehended, handcuffed, informed of his constitutional rights, and arrested by the authorities. Then he is carted off …- Hal West -
No Fishing From the Bridge
I was recently crossing one of the many bridges that cross the creeks, rivers, and various other waterways around Charleston when I noticed a sign that read, "NO FISHING FROM THE BRIDGE." Growing up …- Hal West -
Changing Dreams
I had a dream just a few nights ago that I can only vaguely remember. The details are blurry, except for the way it ended. I usually don't pay much attention to my dreams. I seldom remember them the …- Hal West -
Leader-Sheep: Good Shepherding for God’s People – Part III
"I don't like you, and I don't want you here. As long as you're the pastor, I will have nothing to do with this church." Those were the harsh words that greeted a pastor following his first service …- Hal West
Latest posts by Hal West
Hal West
Hal West spent 33 years as a pastor with an emphasis on creating effective change and transition in a traditional church setting. He is the President of Compass Coach and Consulting (compasscoachandconsulting.com) whose mission is to assist pastors and churches find the road to success. He has authored 3 books. His latest is The Pickled Priest and the Perishing Parish: Boomer Pastors Bouncing Back (CrossBooks Publishing, 2011)
| A fired-up new vision for the church | |
 | "It will not be stylish worship services. It will not be innovative programs." Jerry Taylor brings it home in this fiery climax to his message! (courtesy of NACC 2012) |
| The dynamics of church patriarchs and matriarchs | |
| In just about every church, someone other than the pastor holds the keys to change. (From church consultant training taught by Aubrey Malphurs - www.churchconsultation.org) |
| Are you letting fear derail your ministry? | |
| "How do you know when fear is motivating you?" asks Rick Warren. "You have an intense desire to run." (Courtesy of NACC 2012) |
| What is missional discipleship? | |
| We've confused evangelism with discipleship, says Alan Hirsch. "Every disciple is an agent of the king and ought to be released as such." (From NACC 2012) |
| Ignite your church with fresh thinking at Turnaround 20/20 | |
| Last year's inaugural 20/20 conference exceeded all our expectations, both in number of attendees (more than 200) and the quality of the speakers. The format is the same this year - 20 speakers, 20 minutes each, giving their best advice on how … |
| Save your sanity (and your ministry) by saying no | |
| "If you try to care about everything," says Pastor Todd Clark, "you'll soon find out you don't have the bandwidth to care about anything." (Courtesy of NACC) |
| Miles McPherson - How your church can thrive | |
| If you just do normal church, it will die. That's what kills churches every day. (From NACC 2011) |
| How Aubrey Malphurs sets up a church consultation | |
| Before the consulting process begins, a church has some work to do. Use these guidelines to get any church ready for change. (From the Society for Church Consulting's Level 1 training - www.churchconsultation.org) |