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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 …
| 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 possible...that they can't see the growth that's … |
| 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 found an amazing array of staff titles that could … |
| We all know you should ask for what you need financially before you sign on to a new position, but it's equally important to handle these four things after you've signed! Your colleagues (and perhaps you)—I bet— wish they had! "Thanks … |
| "Up through the ground came a bubblin' crude..." Baby-boomer church, Seeker-driven church, Seeker-sensitive church, Purpose-driven church, Worship-evangelism church, Church of small groups, Cell church, Gen X church, Postmodern church, Missional … |
| The most important mandate for every new driver is, check your engine oil! You can avoid this smart practice, but you place yourself at the extreme risk of total burnout—or worse yet, burn-up! As a consultant (friend, in some cases) over the … |
 | Let's face it. This is a busy week. Yet it can be less stressful, if we think about the week and the many services a bit differently. Here are seven ideas: Give thanks for everyone involved in making the services happen. Thank God, and thank them … |
| We all want to believe that we can stay in our jobs as long as we choose. It doesn't always work that way and, based on my observations, the number of "necessary exits" (as one pastor describes it) for church program staff members is probably … |
 | On Easter Sunday, I celebrate my two year anniversary as the Campus Pastor at Forest Park Carthage (a multisite church based out of Joplin, MO). For the two years before that, I served as a full-time consultant with churches around the country. I … |
| Yes, this is about your sagging soul...you know the one. You are a Christian professional. You love your work. You feel called to it, but there's nothing left to give sometimes. Can Easter help you lift out of this sinking sensation? Much beloved … |
| My former pastor, John Ortberg, once used the word entropy in a sermon title and I, not having really used the term in context before, had to scramble to find out what it really meant. Because our worship services tended to be topical, it was my … |
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Leading from the Lions’ Den: Chapters 1-3
Tom Harper extracts the essence of success from sixty-six books, harvests the most indispensable principles and distills them into one book: Leading from the Lions’ Den.Type: BrochureSponsored by: Leading from the Lions' Den -
A New Decade of Megachurches
The latest national survey of megachurches from Leadership Network and Hartford Institute for Religion Research reveals interesting dynamics related to growth, vitality and leadership. This fourth …Type: White PaperSponsored by: Leadership Network -
Sample chapter: The Healthy Church
Can an ordinary church become an uncommonly healthy church Absolutely. But it won't happen automatically. Many average, ordinary churches allow their health to deteriorate to the point that they no …Type: Special ReportSponsored by: ChurchCentral.com -
Book Summary: The Present Future
The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church. The Present Future is written for congregation leaders, pastors, and church staffs as "polemical volume" aimed to provoke "conversations that …Type: White PaperSponsored by: Auxano -
Living on the Resurrection Side of Life: “Resurrection Power”
For over forty years now, I have been trying to preach that sermon and sing that song. Today I would like to try once more. I take for a text the words of Paul who said, "I want to know Christ, and …Type: White PaperSponsored by: Faith Breaks
| Guitar interlude - something different | |
 | Leaders, turn your speakers up and slow everything else down for a couple minutes while you listen to this incredible bit of guitar playing at the North American Christian Convention. |
| Change, a profound how to... | |
| Doug Lawrence, worship consultant and ChurchCentral.com blogger, says there are 3 important things to remember when you try to change anything. |
| Criticism is your coach | |
| Criticism can make a huge difference in your leadership — a good one! (Doug Lawrence, ChurchCentral.com blogger) |
| Engagement, the best kind | |
| "The harder you seek to get people's attention, the less you get." (Doug Lawrence, ChurchCentral.com blogger) |
| How to keep vision from being forgotten | |
| Gary McIntosh, author and board member of the Society for Church Consulting: |