Category: Leadership Blog

June 16, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts I came across this week. When Your Dad Isn’t Perfect (and No Earthly Father Is) – Joe McKeever Why Humility Delivers More Results Than Arrogance – Dan Rockwell Four...

Leadership Blog

June 9, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts I came across this week. 9 Mistakes Leaders Make – Chuck Lawless The Very Personal Power of the Holy Spirit – Daniel Henderson Routines, Busyness, and Change – Thom...

Leadership Blog

June 5, 2018

My Top Five Leadership Blog Posts

One of the topics that I enjoy blogging about is that of leadership. These are the top five leadership posts on my blog since I began. What is the Difference Between a Speech and...

Leadership Blog

June 2, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts I came across this week. How To Minister In The Midst of Hardship – Jennifer Winge If you knew… – Bill Finch 3 False Sources of Confidence in Ministry...

Leadership Blog

May 28, 2018

Pastors Poking Fun at Themselves

I believe in including humour, both in the services and the sermons. If I’m going to poke fun at anyone, it would be at myself. Making fun of another person, whether a family member...

Leadership Blog

May 26, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts I came across this week. 4 Steps To Start Moving From Teaching A Crowd To Equipping The Saints – Karl Vaters Let’s Not Complicate Leadership – Ron Edmondson What...

Leadership Blog

May 22, 2018

Pastors and Counselling

I have heard a number of pastors talk about how much time they spend doing counselling and it is significant. Do you want to know how much counselling I do? None. The reason for...

Leadership Blog

May 19, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts I came across this week. Things I Learned from Buying and Selling a Cool Car – Marty Duren How Did We End Up with So Many Meetings? – Rishawn...

Leadership Blog

May 17, 2018

The Sound of Coming into Worship

In the church I grew up in, there were instructions in the bulletin about making noise in the sanctuary. It was expected that people would come to worship in silence, to prepare themselves and...

Leadership Blog

May 12, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that you should check out. One-on-One with Matt Perman on ‘How to Get Unstuck’ – Ed Stetzer The 1 Thing Pastors Do That Puts Congregations to Sleep – Joe...

Leadership Blog

May 10, 2018

Churches and Mother’s Day

How should churches respond to Mother’s Day in terms of the worship service? Some churches have a specific Mother’s Day sermon each year. Some give gifts to all the moms and really design the...

Leadership Blog

May 5, 2018

Here are some leadership posts that you should check out. Resolving Conflict: 5 ways to prepare your heart – Charles Stone Why Your Church Members Don’t Pray Much – Chuck Lawless The Strange Burden...

Leadership Blog

May 2, 2018

Evangelical Leaders, Abuse and Women

My heart breaks at recent events with regard to major leaders within the evangelical movement and attitudes toward women. One of the most respected evangelical leaders in the past few decades has been Bill...

Leadership Blog

April 30, 2018

Life Together

I have enjoyed the writing of Dietrich Bonhoeffer for some time. I have read his Cost of Discipleship and Ethics. Now I have finally had a chance to read his Life Together. It is...

Leadership Blog

April 28, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that I came across this week. Can You Explain the Gospel in 3 Words? – Russell Moore A Six-Part Checklist for Churches: How to Select Mission Partners – Sam...

Leadership Blog

April 24, 2018

Why I Still Use Greek and Hebrew as a Pastor

My wife is starting to take New Testament Greek at McMaster Divinity College, the seminary where I studied. But why do people who study for Christian ministry even need to study the original languages,...

Leadership Blog

April 21, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that I came across this week. Go and check them out. Overcoming Scarcity Thinking in Post-Christian Mission (A Lesson from Gandalf) – Mandy Smith How to Experience a Breakthrough...

Leadership Blog

April 14, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that are worth checking out. 20 Truths from Leading Major Change in Your Ministry – Ed Stetzer Five Principles of Encouragement From a Seven Sentence Email – Dan Rockwell...

Christian Blogging / Leadership Blog

April 12, 2018

How Pastors Can Use YouTube

One of the most useful online tools for pastors is YouTube. Anyone can make a video, upload it and make it available to millions of viewers. With YouTube owned by Google, it is very...

Leadership Blog

April 10, 2018

How to Preach Without a Manuscript

For years I was convinced that I needed a full manuscript in front of me to preach. I don’t have a great memory and was not able to memorize the sermon no matter hard...

Leadership Blog

April 7, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts I came across this week. Go and take a look. Preaching with Notes: Yes or No? – Chuck Lawless 10 Real Reasons Pastors Quit Too Soon – Tim Peters...

Leadership Blog

April 3, 2018

Resurrecting Religion – Review

“Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship.” How many times have you seen this statement? You may have said it yourself. The problem is that when we look at traditional definitions of...

Leadership Blog

March 31, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Spend Time With Older Pastors

While it is good to spend time with younger pastors, it is equally good to spend time with older pastors. There are pastors who have already experienced what we have yet to experience. They...

Leadership Blog

March 31, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts for you to check out. How Will You Lead at the Next Level? – Tony Morgan 10 Things To Consider As Your Church Grows – Vanderbloemen Search Group Unparalleled Love...

Leadership Blog

March 30, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Remember the Cross

The day that I’m writing this is Good Friday, the day that we remember the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus is the focus of our faith and the inspiration for our ministry. How did Jesus...

Leadership Blog

March 29, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Pray For Your Colleagues

No one understands what it is like to be a pastor like another pastor. We know both the joys and pains of pastoral ministry. Who better to pray for other pastors than pastors? We...

Autism Blog / Leadership Blog

March 29, 2018

Caring for Special Needs People in Your Small Church

One of the most practical podcasts that I listen to is the 200 Church podcast. I was quite happy when I heard they were doing an episode on special needs. Co-host Jonny Craig has...

Leadership Blog

March 28, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Invest in the Next Generation

Moses had his Joshua. Elijah has his Elisha. Paul had his Timothy and Titus. Who do we have? Every current pastor was once a young person who knew nothing about ministry. Ideally, someone came...

Leadership Blog

March 27, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Plan to Finish Well

When it comes to ministry, we can look at our past and our present. But what about our future? Specifically, how our ministry will end? Our pastoral ministry will end, the question is whether...

Leadership Blog

March 26, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Start Writing

Most pastors are writers to begin with. Many of us write out a sermon manuscript, even if we may not preach from that manuscript. However, we can work on our writing skills. Developing our...

Leadership Blog

March 25, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Read the Bible

Read the Bible? Who reads the Bible more than pastors? That’s the problem. We read the Bible to plan out sermons and Bible studies. But how often do we read the Bible to feed...

Leadership Blog

March 24, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Start a Reading Plan

Many of the pastors I know love to read. They have large libraries and collect resources to help with sermon preparations. But we can do better than just reading commentaries and other biblical resources....

Leadership Blog

March 24, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that you should go check out. How to make Guests Feel Uncomfortable at your Church – Paul Alexander Does Attracting A Crowd Make Discipleship Harder? – Karl Vaters 4...

Leadership Blog

March 23, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better a Pastor: Pray For Your Congregation

There are many activities that a pastor can be involved in but prayer is one of the most important. There are many things that we can pray for but one of the most important...

Leadership Blog

March 22, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Plan Out Your Year

One way to do ministry is to do it Sunday by Sunday. Each week, pick a passage to preach on. Start or stop ministries as situations come up. Hope for the best and pray...

Leadership Blog

March 21, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Retreat!

I was involved in a youth group at a particular church. The youth group traditionally went on retreats. One year, the youth pastor announced that Christians don’t retreat and so the time away was...

Leadership Blog

March 20, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Get Some Exercise

In my first four months as a paid pastor, I gained about thirty pounds. This was the result of two things. One that I was spending much of my time getting together with youth...

Leadership Blog

March 19, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Mental Health

One of the biggest challenges that I face as a pastor is responding to mental illness. While I had a couple of counselling courses in seminary, I feel that I lack background in mental...

Leadership Blog

March 18, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Focus on Vision

Most churches have some sort of vision/mission statement. They may have both. But more is needed than just having a vision statement. Even having the vision posted on the wall is not enough. It...

Leadership Blog

March 17, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that you should go and check out. Five Key Steps to Reach and Retain Guests – Thom Rainer Haunted by the Mission – Chris Hefner A Recipe for Self-Renewal...

Leadership Blog

March 16, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Include Laypeople in Congregational Care

There are those who argue that for churches to grow it is necessary for pastors to give up pastoral care. I reject that. I think that being involved in some pastoral care is by...

Leadership Blog

March 15, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Build Your Team

Whether you are the solo pastor of a small church or one of the pastors in multi-staff situation, we are all part of a team. Out team might be other pastors, deacons/elders or a...

Autism Blog / Leadership Blog

March 14, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Embrace Those With Disabilities

Many churches have embraced the concept of disabilities. Churches want diversity of gender, ethnicities, age, economic status and others. But what about disabilities? I need to confess that I’m biased in this area. In...

Leadership Blog

March 13, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Continue Your Education

Can you remember your time in Bible college or seminary? Were you counting the days until your graduation? Were you eager to finish your education? It is interesting to note that many other careers...

Leadership Blog

March 12, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Invest in Your Preaching

In smaller churches, pastors are equated with preachers. But even in larger churches, many pastors have preaching as one of their responsibilities, although perhaps not every week. After preaching for a number of years,...

Leadership Blog

March 11, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Observe a Sabbath

One of the best decisions I have made is to observe a Sabbath. A Sabbath is not just a day off. A day off can easily be filled up with other stuff. A day...

Leadership Blog

March 10, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Subscribe to Some Podcasts

One of the best ways to become a better pastor to be intentional in lifelong learning. The worst thing is to see graduation from Bible college or seminary as the end of learning. There...

Leadership Blog

March 10, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that you should go and check out. Discipling Stay-at-Home Moms – Daniel Im Ministry Without the Gospel – Darryl Dash 4 Common Leadership Traits in Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos,...

Leadership Blog

March 9, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Focus on the Family

There is much respect given to pastors who work long hours and who are always available to their congregation. But that doesn’t mean they are good pastors. What about their family? At one time...

Leadership Blog

March 8, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Embrace Thankfulness

One of the best ways to build a long lasting and effective ministry is to cultivate an attitude of thankfulness. It is easy to focus on the things that are wrong or frustrating. Being...

Leadership Blog

March 7, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Get a Coach

This post in the series is by guest blogger Dave Jacobs. Dave coaches pastors and you can find out more about him in the bio at the end of this post. Why you need...

Leadership Blog

March 6, 2018

31 Days to Becoming a Better Pastor: Connect With Other Pastors

One of the frequent descriptions of pastoral ministry concerns the loneliness of being a pastor. It doesn’t have to be that way. While I think it is good to have friends within the congregation,...

Leadership Blog

March 5, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: No Major Decisions on Mondays

I’m told that Christian job sites have biggest spikes of pastor resumes on Mondays. That is, it is most likely on the day after a Sunday service that a pastor is looking for a...

Leadership Blog

March 4, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Take Time to Worship

I have already talked about the importance for pastors to grow in their relationship with God in a previous post. Related to that but still distinct is the importance of worship. How are they...

Leadership Blog

March 3, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that you should go and check out. 3 Ways To Keep Your Youth Pastor Longer – Sarah Robins A Faithful Life – Bill Finch 5 Signs Your Church Isn’t...

Leadership Blog

March 3, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Love Your Congregation

The two most important things a pastor needs to do is to love God and love people. Often the loving of God comes easier than the love for people. Some people are easier to...

Leadership Blog

March 2, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Seek After God

You have likely noticed that during safety demonstrations by airlines that the stewardess always tells the passengers that in case of emergency they need to put the oxygen on themselves before helping another. The...

Leadership Blog

March 1, 2018

31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Remember Your Call

I am not the best pastor in the world nor do I have all the answers. But I have been pastoring for over twenty years and have been able to serve in a variety...

Leadership Blog

February 27, 2018

The Most Uncomfortable Leadership Lesson

It is good to have the opportunity to serve under good and healthy leaders. We should be observant and teachable as we follow them. I served with one pastor and I would meet weekly...

Leadership Blog

February 24, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that are worth checking out. Leading A Church Through Difficult Times: A Lesson From “The Most Bombed Hotel In The World” – Karl Vaders 4 Reasons Every Pastor Needs...

Leadership Blog

February 23, 2018

The Trust Protocol – Review

In over twenty years of pastoral ministry, I have discovered that the most important currency in leadership is trust. If you don’t have the people’s trust, you can not do anything. To make things...

Leadership Blog

February 22, 2018

5 Things We Can Take Away From the Legacy of Billy Graham

The Christian world is still grieving the death of Billy Graham. Even though he lived to be 99 years old, there is still a sense of loss. We should pray for his family in...

Leadership Blog

February 17, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that are worth checking out. Five Common Reasons Church Leaders Stop Leading – Thom Rainer 8 Insights from the Coaching World for Pastors – Chris Hefner Prevent Fear from...

Leadership Blog

February 10, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that I came across this week. Go and check them out. 9 Steps to Rebrand Your Church – Brian Jones Church Discipline (Jude 1:17-25) – Darryl Dash 3 Small...

Leadership Blog

February 9, 2018

Seven Shades of Sin – Review

Sin. Who wants to hear about sin? Whether we want to hear about it or not, followers of Jesus should take it seriously. Sin is talked about throughout the Old and New Testaments and...

Leadership Blog

February 3, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that you should check out. 3 Things to Keep In Mind When Church Planting In The City – Chelsea Tyson The Path to Growth – Bill Finch 7 Leadership...

Leadership Blog

January 31, 2018

Top Ten Leadership Blogs – January 2018

There are some amazing leadership blogs for pastors and other Christians leaders. I share five of these every week in my Weekend Leadership Roundup. I have been compiling a top ten list for apologetics...

Leadership Blog

January 27, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts I came across this week. Go and check them out. 7 Critical Abilities Senior Leaders Must Have – Ron Edmondson Should You Quit? – Russell Moore What Two Simple...

Leadership Blog

January 26, 2018

Why I Agree With John Piper on Female Professors in Seminary

John Piper has set the internet on fire with his recent comments about female professors in seminary. You can read his post here. His argument that there should NOT be female seminary professors has...

Leadership Blog

January 25, 2018

When Pastors Doubt

I remember as a teenager listening to our minister say during the service that he had one time doubts about Christianity. It really shocked me. Pastors should be giants in the faith, never having...

Leadership Blog

January 20, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts I came across this week. What Martin Luther King Jr. Teaches Leaders Today – Chris Williamson The Generation that Must Save Evangelicalism from Its Moral Compromises – Brandon Colbert Why...

Leadership Blog

January 19, 2018

7 Things Pastors Need to Be Reminded Of

Being a pastor of a church is a rewarding career. Most pastors are quite passionate about their ministry. But pastors need more than excitement to be successful long-term. Here are seven things that pastors...

Leadership Blog

January 15, 2018

Gospel Fluency Handbook – Review

The gospel should be central to the life of every follower of Jesus. But I find that even evangelicals (that label comes from the Greek for gospel) have trouble explaining what the gospel is....

Leadership Blog

January 13, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that you should check out. 6 Thoughts on Leading an iGen’er for Parents and Ministry Leaders – Eric Geiger Andy Savage’s Standing Ovation Was Heard Round the World. Because...

Leadership Blog

January 11, 2018

Don’t Be This Leader

There are a number of leadership styles. Some are better than others and some are a matter of taste or personality. But there is one style that I think is always unhealthy and unfortunately...

Leadership Blog

January 6, 2018

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that are worth checking out. The 5 Essential Practices Of Leaders Who Multiply Leaders – Carey Nieuwhof 12 Brainstorming Ideas that WILL Improve Team Creativity – Charles Stone 10...

Leadership Blog

December 30, 2017

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that I came across this week. Go and check them out. Five Reasons My Family Loves (Really!) Ministry Together – Sam Rainer Pruning! 3 Ministry Areas to Tackle |...

Leadership Blog

December 29, 2017

A Challenge For Pastors in the New Year

There was a time not long ago when it was trendy fir churches to develop vision/mission statements. We don’t hear as much about it now, perhaps because most churches have now adopted one and...

Leadership Blog

December 23, 2017

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that you should read. What Ebenezer Scrooge Can Teach Us About Generosity – Jeremy Lott Armed Only with Vulnerability: Sean Palmer on the Mission of God – Derek Vreeland...

Leadership Blog

December 21, 2017

Why I Still Identify as an Evangelical

I have seen numerous posts recently calling into question the continued use of the label “evangelical.” Is it time for evangelicalism to come to an end? Some of the concerns seem to be the...

Leadership Blog

December 16, 2017

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that are worth checking out. Research and Thoughts on Billy Graham’s Legacy and Leadership – Eric Geiger I’m an Evangelical Ecumenist? What Does That Even Mean? – Ed Setzer...

Leadership Blog

December 15, 2017

Should Churches Remove The Denomination From Their Name?

There is a trend for churches to change their names. Sometimes it is to find something a bit more trendy or hip (e.g. Explosion Church) but more often it is to just remove the...

Leadership Blog

December 12, 2017

Pastors and Titles

I have had numerous titles during my ministry career. I have been pastor, reverend, padre, chaplain, captain and hopefully soon, doctor. But what titles, if any, should a pastor use? In my first ministry...

Leadership Blog

December 9, 2017

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that you should check out. 7 Ways Great Leaders Handle Their Mistakes – Carey Nieuwhof 10 More Signs that a Church Has Settled for Mediocrity – Chuck Lawless Sticky...

Leadership Blog

December 7, 2017

Introducing Practical Theology – Review

I consider myself to be relatively well-read when it comes to theology. I at least am aware of the major theologians and have sampled from their teachings. I am also fairly well-read when it...

Leadership Blog

December 2, 2017

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that you might find interesting. Seeking Counsel & Empowering Others: More Biblical Practices That Businesses Embrace and Stuck Churches Avoid – Tony Morgan 3 Ways To Increase Your Attendance...

Leadership Blog

December 2, 2017

What is Advent?

As I write this, it is the day before the first Sunday of Advent. But what is Advent? I don’t want to just assume that everyone knows what Advent is. Even within the church,...

Leadership Blog

December 1, 2017

Pastors Don’t Need a Day Off

“The devil doesn’t take a day off and so neither should the pastor.” Have you ever heard that one? But then again, perhaps Satan is not the best model for healthy leadership. At the...

Leadership Blog

November 28, 2017

Fusion – Review

One of the most exciting things for a pastor is seeing new visitors at a worship service. The hope is that they will connect and return. But does this just come down to hope?...

Leadership Blog

November 25, 2017

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that you should check out. 6 Lessons I’ve Learned from 6 Years of Multisite Church Leadership – Paul Alexander Only In a Small Church: Face Time With the Pastor...

Leadership Blog

November 22, 2017

Pastors, Politicians, Actors and Sex Scandals

We are living in a moment when many people are coming forward accusing famous individuals of sexual abuse and unwanted sexual advances. My intention is not to name names, to accuse or defend, or...

Leadership Blog

November 20, 2017

A Leadership Lesson From the Justice League Movie

I recently watched the Justice League movie. It was an enjoyable movie but that is not what I want to talk about here (You can read my review here). There was one particular scene...

Leadership Blog

November 18, 2017

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that I came across this week. 10 Pet Peeves about Church (from One Who Loves It) – Joe McKeever Three Bad Excuses for Avoiding Leadership Development – Eric Geiger...

Leadership Blog

November 17, 2017

Is the Time of Denominations Over?

I grew up Anglican, spent almost a decade as a Pentecostal and am now ordained as a Baptist pastor. But do those labels mean anything? Is the time of denominations over? Many new church...

Leadership Blog

November 11, 2017

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that are worth checking out. 8 Signs Your Church May Be Closing Soon – Thom Rainer Echo Chambers in Discipleship – Daniel Im Judging Ministry Success – Darryl Dash...

Leadership Blog

November 11, 2017

Welcoming People with Mental Health Issues Into the Church

This is a guest post by Joseph Mulak. Joseph blogs at Walking in the Faith, “The purpose of this site is to help Christians live out their faith while living in an increasingly secular...

Leadership Blog

November 9, 2017

Why I’m Thankful For Our Church Building

It is common to hear churches criticized for the amount of money invested in church buildings. There are some congregations that have taken the stand that they will never own a building. They will...

Leadership Blog

November 4, 2017

Weekend Leadership Roundup

Here are some leadership posts that I came across this week. Go and check them out. 6 Reasons Men Should Read More Stories than Men’s Books – Barnabas Piper The King of Your Mountain...

Leadership Blog

October 31, 2017

Thoughts on Ministry to Those With Dementia

One of the most common aspects of my pastoral ministry has been to individuals or families dealing with dementia or Alzheimer’s. It is always a difficult situation for those involved. On a personal note....

Category: Leadership Blog

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