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...
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: 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...
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...
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...
In his fascinating (if not terrifying) book The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt tells the story of the Biosphere 2 project, an 80s-era experiment which took place in the deserts of Arizona. The goal was to...
When it comes to leading, working with, or simply being around people, it’s easy to fall into the ditch. We hit the ditch when we make assumptions about someone’s level or lack of knowledge. We...
I have a friend who is a Chick-fil-A owner / operator (actually, I have several friends who are CFA owners / operators … I think that goes with the territory of being on a church...
Recently, my daughter spent several birthdays at a pizza joint of her choosing. It was actually just one birthday – her 14th – but we were there for so long I think she might have...
In a recent post we talked about the art of innovation: we’re created as creative creatures, and creating is a good thing. Except when it’s not. Except when innovation comes at the cost of clarity....
