Advent is one of a few times each year when a pastor sees the full range of people who are engaged with the congregation. Even those with the most distant connections show up to Christmas services. But is that happening…
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Leading when you don’t know the way
When the path forward is obvious, it is relatively easy for a leader to know what to do. We can rely on strategies that have worked well in the past. We can use existing resources and relationships to solve problems,…
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It’s time to slow down
Busy leaders do not always make better leaders. Sometimes, busy leaders are just that: busy. As three major holidays rapidly approach — Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas — leaders will be tempted to get more work done by speeding up the pace,…
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Can we talk about money?
‘Tis the season for stewardship! Questions concerning money are usually among a congregation’s top priorities, but no two churches’ money issues are exactly the same. A church with rich endowments may struggle to discern how to transform abundant financial resources into real…
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Preaching is leadership
Preaching gives pastors an incredible opportunity that most leaders do not have. At their best, sermons teach, inspire and provoke, which are three essentials for leadership and change. Whatever approach we use for sermon planning, preparation and delivery, preaching has the potential…
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How to cultivate trust in congregations
Leadership cannot flourish without trust. Relationships, institutions and communities depend on people having confidence in one another. Clergy who want to lead change, transform congregations and establish authentic interpersonal connections need to understand that trust is never automatic. Trust is cultivated…
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Do you have the leaders you need for tomorrow?
Pastors typically design leadership development for the leaders who are doing the work today. They also need to make plans to identify the people who will do the work in the future. Often, we do not think about who the…
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A time to leave or a time to stay?
I once shared with a mentor that I did not believe my ministry context at the time was going to be a long-term assignment. I had only been there a year or two, so I assured him that I planned…
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Don’t let the vision perish
Are you thinking about your church’s vision for 2022? How does it compare to your vision for 2021? One critical tool influences the success of every vision. That tool is a good strategy. Without strategic leadership, we frustrate ourselves and lead a…
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Communication matters more than you think
In the words of the playwright George Bernard Shaw, “The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” Have you had this problem before? You have meetings and make presentations. You think that everyone is…
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