As leaders, discouragement can come at us from all directions. Income is down. Criticism is up. Piles of work are scattered all over the place. Before long, we realize we’re engulfed in a dark cloud. But here’s the deal – leaders regularly face a plethora of challenges. It’s not so much what’s happening around us […]

As a leader, our love relationship with the Lord is second to none. All of our other relationships and responsibilities flow from that one vital connection. We’re familiar with Gary Chapman’s The 5 Love Languages book – the concept of individuals having preferences in giving and receiving love. I think the same can be said […]

If you’ve been in leadership more than a month, you know that conflict comes with the territory. Churches and ministries are comprised of human beings, and “to disagree is human.” When verbal fists fly, it’s tempting to throw a few of our own and before we know it we have blood on our hands. So […]

Putting out fires comes with the territory of leadership. It’s not an issue of if the crises will come or even when. The issue is how we respond. Crises can have serious consequences for our ministries and followers take their cues from leaders, so it’s important to respond with level-headed wisdom. Thankfully, the Bible has […]

As leaders, hands-down the most vital relationship in our lives is with Jesus Christ. It’s also the most private, invisible, and perhaps for those reasons – easiest to shortchange. Yet, when our relationship with God is thriving, the systemic impact in our lives and leadership is unmistakable. So how are we – today, in this […]

Let’s take a few moments to ponder the indescribable reality of the incarnation – Jesus, the Son of God, becoming man. A few weeks ago my pastor used a quote from Karl Barth to capture the magnanimous heart of God in giving us Jesus. Barth describes it as the “climbing down of God.” Jesus came […]