This morning, I was reading my Strengths-Based newsletter from Gallup, and a concept struck me. Here is the activating sentence: Of the millions of employees Gallup has surveyed, just over half have a clear understanding of what’s expected of them when they show up to work every day. So, we know that people operate best […]
So, if we focus on the ministry of the individual, then why do we need church? If our focus is on helping each person be the person God created them to be in the life they are already living, then why do we need Sunday morning church? Would it be possible to accomplish our goal […]
This afternoon I had an interesting conversation going. I was contemplating the reason that power is so tempting. By power being tempting, I don’t actually mean the power that destroys, as in Hitler. I’m talking about the gentle turn in focus that can easily happen in ministry leadership. This small turn causes our focus to […]
So the truth of the matter is that when one is in leadership, there is a certain amount of power that goes with the position. After all, one must speak with authority…and people listen. However, as pastors, our goal isn’t to exude power, but to garner influence…for the sake of others, not for the sake […]
A couple weeks ago, I reviewed the first half of this book. Throughout the time I’ve been reading this book, I’ve been live-blogging it on my facebook feed. And, for four and 1/2 years, I’ve been whipping through the tumultuous turns of a detour of my own. I know the pain, the desperation, and the despair. Aaron does […]
You know that top-down model we have been using for years? The model of leadership that looks like an upside down pyramid? We’ve discussed some of the negatives of that leadership style – particularly the exclusivity. However, there are strengths that need to be considered. Strong structure makes people feel safe. People who feel safe […]
We need leaders because they provide structure and vision. How does one lead, provide structure and vision, and not exude power? I really don’t have the answer, but I am chewing on the question. I’d like your input. Here are some things that come to mind: 1. Humility – A leader who provides focus and […]
Ever have an idea in your head and come to realize your picture isn’t other people’s picture? Well, for years I have been sitting with a new paradigm of the church – an arrow coming down and going out (much like an arm). When you sit with an idea for years, you know the pitfalls, […]
I was on the “Resignation of Eve” teleconference call last night, and someone said something that didn’t come back to me until today. They mentioned the whole idea of church leadership being about power…and the absence thereof for women in particular. As I was driving today, that sentence suddenly hit me. What if we are […]
Last week, I wrote my responses to the Resignation of Eve. In this response, I began to realize that as women take their leadership talent and use it where it is appreciated, one of the end results is the decentralization of the church. My personal question was “am I holding on to an old model […]