Latest posts

How to Change Your Culture…When It’s Not Your Job.

All of us have found ourselves in the position of wanting to make changes…when we actually haven’t been asked to make changes. We see the need. We feel the stirring. We observe the discontent. But...

Harry Nyquist, Illuminators, and Why Our Investments Matter

Last year I listened to the audio version of David Brooks’ How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen. I was barely a chapter in when I realized...

Q&A: How Do I Balance “Paid” vs. “Authentic” Ministry?

Q: I’m struggling with the balance of “paid work” vs. authentic, organic ministry and service. How do I avoid the feelings of burnout and going through the motions when it comes to church life? [Anonymous...

How to Get the Best Deals on Bulk Books

We’re coming up on the most wonderful time of the year: Book Discussion Season. What? Your calendar doesn’t say anything about BDS? Can’t find BDS cards at your local Hallmark store? Never even HEARD of...

How to Help Your Volunteers to Grow Spiritually

Leading volunteers is like (say it with me, you know all the tropes)… If there’s one topic that comes up when leaders gather together, it is how to best lead volunteers. Our life verses toggle...

Be Kind, Be Firm: Setting Expectations for Your Guest Services Systems

We’ve either been there, or we will be: “there” is that moment when a regular attendee is cheating the system you’ve set up for your guests, or for a certain demographic of your congregation. For...

Danny Recommends: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

Every so often we dip our toes into a series called Danny Recommends:, posts that tip you off to the stuff that I…you know. The recommendations might be products for use in your ministry, resources that will...

Annual Blog Survey: Win 50 Bucks!

Every January I share the annual blog survey: a set of questions that help drive and shape content for the following year. (And believe me…your feedback really does drive and shape stuff. This ain’t just...

Top Ten Quotes: On Speaking Well

A speechwriter for Reagan and a consultant for The West Wing? Count me in. I’ve long been fascinated with Peggy Noonan, but on the recommendation of a friend I picked up On Speaking Well: How...

Pave Where the People are Walking

My friend Justin Waples shared this video with me, and it’s good enough to share with you: Designer Tom Hulme introduces us to the concept of desire paths, or the natural “point A to point...