Never Underestimate Your Volunteers.
Several years ago I led a guest services training weekend for Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester, Minnesota. It was November. In Minnesota. And I was not okay. (Tennessee-raised boys are not built for that sort...
Category: Leadership
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...
Let the Winds Blow
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...
Avoiding the Ditch
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...
Your Preferences May Be the Problem
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...
Leaning Isn’t Leading
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...
