Today, Christ’s Church of the Valley (Peoria, AZ) is known as one of the largest, most dynamic multi-site churches in the U.S. But during its initial expansion about a decade ago, the staff discovered a startling fact: ministry talent was in short supply, and those who enter vocational ministry do not stay. 85% of the…
Read More3 Roadblocks That Leaders Can Overcome By Dale Sellers* I knew the day was coming—I’d been sensing it for some time. Our church had been cruising along for years, experiencing steady growth and a vibrant community anchored around a strong vision. New people checked us out every week. We saw people committing their lives to…
Read MoreOne Multisite Church’s Story of Simplifying Communications Guest Post by Judy Stallwitz Our staff loves each other. We’re a healthy team that balances humility and willfulness. But just like maintaining a healthy diet or a healthy marriage, maintaining good team health requires attention to drift. “Drift” isn’t a mystical cloud that materializes. It can easily…
Read MoreInsights are short, biblical truths to equip you to lead from your strengths. As Mrs. Lightner waited in the busy checkout line, her eyes rested on a young family. They were her neighbors! She noticed young Mikayla pulling hard on her mother’s jacket. Meanwhile, Mikayla’s baby sister began to cry in her mother’s arms. Dozens…
Read MoreGuest Post By Gabe Kolstad One key skill separates effective leaders from ineffective ones: the ability to find their fit. According to the American Institute of Stress, “job-fit” is a leading factor in workplace satisfaction and performance. So it stands to reason that your leadership impact can multiply by making sure you’re doing the things…
Read MoreWhy Ministries Need to Rethink a Common Mantra By Dale Sellers There is a popular phrase often attributed to iconic management consultant Peter Drucker (1909-2005) that says, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” After careful research, I discovered that there is actually no evidence that Drucker ever made this statement. In fact, there is no evidence…
Read More“Fifty percent of my time is dedicated to leadership development,” says Steve Bush, who joined the staff of Real Life Christian Church (Clermont, FL) as administrative pastor after more than four decades in business. From his experience as a CEO, business development director, and manager in the agricultural supplies industry, Steve knew he needed a…
Read MoreHow Carey Nieuwhof and the Connexus Team Used the Profiles to Break Attendance Barrier “The Leading From Your Strengths profile provides the kind of insight you have when you reflect on a situation and make sense of it,” says best-selling author and podcaster Carey Nieuwhof, founding pastor of Connexus Church (Barrie, Ontario). “You think, ‘Huh,…
Read MoreInsights are short, biblical truths to equip you to lead from your strengths. For a nation’s citizens, freedom means the opportunity to act, think, and speak as you choose. For Christ-followers, freedom means even more. “You were called to freedom, brothers,” Paul wrote to the Galatians. “Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for…
Read MoreDarrel wasn’t new to ministry. He’d been a part of two other church teams before taking on his new role as executive pastor at a growing suburban church. But what was new to him was the emotional pressure he felt after just one year on the job – particularly the tension he experienced interacting with…
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