Patrick Lencioni's most recent book is The Advantage: Why Organisational Health Trumps Eveyrhting Else. He believes that all the competitive advantages that businesses have been pursuing over the years are gone - strategy, technology, finance, and marketing. No, those disciplines have not disappeared. They are all alive and well in most organisations. But as meaningful competitive … Continue reading The Advantage: Organisational Health – by Patrick Lencioni
8 Commitments for Small Group Leaders (Mark Howell)
Any church with over 50 people needs some form of small group ministry so that genuine relationships are developed and discipleship occurs. Whatever form of small group ministry you may, have is a helpful article on small group leadership by Mark Howell: Whether you use a low or high bar of small group leadership, I … Continue reading 8 Commitments for Small Group Leaders (Mark Howell)
How the Mighty Fall
I took this picture while on a prayer retreat a few weeks back. It's hard to believe how this huge tree fell over, yet it did. It reminded me of some research work done by Jim Collins, the best-selling author of Built to Last and Good to Great. Collins is a student of companies and organisations - great ones, good … Continue reading How the Mighty Fall
Jesus and Leadership Selection
To: Jesus, Son of JosephWoodcrafter’s Carpenter ShopNazareth 25922 From: Jordan Management Consultants Dear Sir: Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for managerial positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; and we have not only run the results through our computer, but … Continue reading Jesus and Leadership Selection
Influencer – You Can Lead!
It’s amazing how something very small can eventually have a huge influence. Think of the tipping of a domino, the movement of a butterfly’s wings, the momentum of a snowball rolling down a hill or the spark of a small flame. Jesus understood this and told his disciples that they were like “salt and light” … Continue reading Influencer – You Can Lead!
The Prophetic Ministry
The ministry of prophecy is to be an important part of the local church and the development of every church leader. This is a biblical concept and was used often in the appointment of leaders to various roles and ministries in the early church (see Acts 13:1-3. 1 Timothy 1:18-19; 4:14). The Prophetic Ministry A … Continue reading The Prophetic Ministry
The Lonely Pastor (by Thom S. Rainer)
Here is a thought-provoking article on The Lonely Pastor: Nine Observations by Thom S. Rainer ... The conversation took place just yesterday. A young man told me his dad, a pastor, recently committed suicide. He talked about the pain his father experienced in ministry as well as the intense loneliness. Though suicide is not an … Continue reading The Lonely Pastor (by Thom S. Rainer)
The Life of a Preacher’s Kid
I am a PK - a "preacher's kid" or a TO - a "theological offspring", as my father used to call me. Growing up in a pastor's or minister's home is not easy. Many people think you should be perfect or at least have an extra holiness gene. It's just not true. Your surname brings … Continue reading The Life of a Preacher’s Kid
Leadership Succession (Mark Conner)
The third morning was about "leadership succession." I was asked to speak and here is a summary of what I shared. Out Story CityLife Church (originally called Waverley Christian Fellowship) is a multi-site church based in Melbourne, Australia. It began in 1967 with a small group of people led by its founding pastor, Richard Holland. … Continue reading Leadership Succession (Mark Conner)
Leadership Wounds
The first morning of our gathering focused on "leadership wounds." Restoring Wounded Soldiers Pastor Abe Huber, who pastors a church of 60,000 people in Brazil, noted that the church is the only army that shoots its own wounded. How can we do better? 1. Don't forget the good that wounded or fallen soldiers have done. … Continue reading Leadership Wounds
Learning from Leaders
Last week, I spent a few days in Dallas, USA with leaders of a number of significant churches from around the world (primarily the non-Western world). I love to be around leaders who have more capacity and experience than I do. It is a terrific opportunity to learn and grow. It stretches and challenges me. … Continue reading Learning from Leaders
7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders – #7 Pray
The more involved you become in church leadership and ministry, the greater the temptation is to lead by your own gifts and abilities rather than out of intimacy with Jesus Christ. A daily relationship with Jesus is the key to freshness in ministry and an ability to impart life to people, rather than just run … Continue reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders – #7 Pray
7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders – #6 Grow
It is essential that ministry leaders keep growing and developing their God-given potential. 1 Tim 4:12-16. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. … Continue reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders – #6 Grow
7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders – #5 Innovate
It is so easy to become busy managing what currently exists, that we fail to take time to improve what we’re doing let alone consider doing things differently or doing new things. As leaders, we must work on tomorrow not just keep up with today. This is what innovation is all about. We serve a … Continue reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders – #5 Innovate
7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders – #4 Build Your Team
Much of your effectiveness as a leader will be directly related to your ability to build a team of people who are passionately committed to the ministry you lead. Team building is leadership the way God designed it (Mark 1:16-17. Eph.4:11-16). The “team building” process includes four important tasks: 1. Gather – recruit people to … Continue reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders – #4 Build Your Team