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Seven types of people who surround leaders
So much about leadership boils down to the people who surround leaders. That is why one of the most important decisions a leader makes is to determine—to use Good to Great author Jim Collins's …- Thom Rainer -
When it is best to ignore and overlook the faults of others
"Name your greatest fault," has become a standard question in job interviews. Though the safe answers are, "I work too hard" or "I care too much," many of us seem clueless to the answer to this …- Phil Wood -
4 mistakes I made on the way to leadership
Near the turn of the 20th century, John Dewey said that, "We learn by doing," but maybe an even more important life lesson suggests that we often learn more by simply making mistakes...BIG ones! True …1 comment- Doug Lawrence -
The 6 essentials a leader must manage well
So you're a leader. How are your management skills? Too many leaders think management is below them, and as a result they fail as leaders. "Visionaries" have been known to have their heads in the …- Tom Harper -
Facing Financial Facts at Church
What are the financial facts in your congregation? For example: What are the trends in giving and expenses? What is the giving pyramid – how many givers do you have at successive giving levels …- Margaret Marcuson -
You can't do everything in the world
They were simple instructions. My wife delivered them to our four-year-old granddaughter, Kimberly: "Please pick up those toys and take them back down to the family room." Reluctantly, little Kim …- Bob Russell -
Pitfalls to avoid when launching a new vision statement
The accusation of a lack of vision has become as common of grounds for pastoral dismissal as irreconcilable differences is to the divorce of couples. It is the catch all excuse for boards and …- Phil Wood -
5 instant cures for a “static cling” church
The number one complaint I hear from churches is, "We seem to have plateaued." Are these churches really standing still or is their perception of where they are a little skewed? It's possible...just …1 comment- Doug Lawrence -
3 Kinds of Weak Vision that Entice Church Leaders
Warning: This post will challenge some of your assumptions about vision in the church. Across the North American church landscape this year, many pastors will articulate a vision and compel people …- Will Mancini -
Online Giving: Is it right for your church? [Infographic]
Does your church experience a drop-off in tithes and offerings during the summer months when many members go on vacation? What about in the winter when some of your members head south to escape the …- Tom Harper -
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 that we ought to welcome, fuel, and fan when it …- Hal West -
Five tests to see if you are a good Plan B leader
I was a starter on a state champion high school basketball team. That sentence likely prompts one of two reactions. If you don't know me well, you could assume that I was bragging—that my …- Thom Rainer -
Fasting from complaining: 9 reasons why church leaders might want to try it
The weeks between Easter and Pentecost are more of a time for church leaders to celebrate than fast. But I'm thinking about fasting as a spiritual practice. While fasting from food has its place, I …2 comments- Margaret Marcuson -
How to find your sweet spot in ministry
Mined from the fragments of an ancient Greek poem, Jim Collins has famously used the image of "the hedgehog concept" to help millions of readers find their "sweet spot." While foxes are wise about a …- Phil Wood -
Leadership books on my to-read list
I love getting new ideas from leadership books. Right now I'm reading Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney, by Lee Cockerell. Lots of great tactics for leading …- Tom Harper -
Tips on Time Management
John Thielepape, Director of Missions for Parker Baptist Association in Weatherford, Texas, recently led a group of directors of missions through 5 Choices to Extraordinary Productivity training …- David Bowman -
Local churches have a shelf life
What was once a downtown church building is now a unique restaurant. Tables and booths now occupy the space where pews sat. The area that held the choir loft has been refurbished into a bar. The …2 comments- Bob Russell -
10 “church-speak” job titles that leave me...well, “speak-less”
Is it me? Are we just trying to figure out ways to make people believe we're not their grandmother's church anymore? In a quick internet search of five of some of America's largest congregations, I …1 comment- Doug Lawrence -
7 Things Great People Do
In regard to a person's life, what is it that defines greatness? Obviously when talking definitions, we could go right to Mr. Webster and ask but true greatness in a person cannot be found in a by …- Charlie Lyons -
What I learned from my father about ministry
I wrote an article after my mother died about what I'd learned from her that had benefited me in my ministry. My father turned 90 on Sunday, and I decided I'd like to think about this before he dies …- Margaret Marcuson
| Bob Russell tells the church to take a stand against culture | |
 | "Young leaders, the world and your peers will pressure you to soften your message. We need you to be loving, but we need you to be bolder." (From NACC 2012) |
| The power of consensus decision-making | |
| Aubrey Malphurs explains how group decisions can cause breakthroughs in a declining church. (From church consultant training taught by Aubrey Malphurs - www.churchconsultation.org) |
| 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) |
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