Marriage and Ministry, Part 4: The Risks and Rewards of Leading From Your Strengths Of all places, the Christian church can be a refuge from the relational battles that rage in our culture. But harmony and reconciliation are not flourishing in the body. Rather, today’s ministries and churches are routinely characterized by division – or…
Marriage and Ministry, Part 3: How Your Spouse’s Strengths May Surprise You Today, families everywhere are torn apart and are in crisis, filled with conflict, isolation, or brokenness. Four out of ten children grow up without a father. One in three homes is led by a single mother. Just a short while ago, Pastor Kevin…
Marriage and Ministry, Part 2: Healing Begins With Humility Jesus sought time alone prior to significant events: choosing His disciples, being tempted by the Enemy, walking on water, and preparing for trial and crucifixion. Paul took an extended wilderness retreat after his conversion before launching his ministry. God regularly speaks to leaders when we draw…
Marriage and Ministry, Part 1: Island of Exile or Island of Escape? Kevin’s desk lamp burns late into the night. But he is not working on this week’s sermon. He is studying scriptures about marriage. Kevin is beginning to wonder if he should ever been married in the first place. Most difficult of all is…
By the Book or Out of the Box? Two Ways to Face Risk Every ministry adopts rules that are unique to its culture. Members of your team follow those procedures differently. Some embrace risk and break rules to press forward. Others showbox for android naturally follow established procedures. Facing risk – along with processing information,…
One-on-One Coaching: Self-Discovery Leads to New Purpose As Christian life coach Deb Mertin works with leaders she draws on a unique personal perspective, having herself transitioned to professional ministry leadership after 25+ years in the health care field. “Some clients are new to leadership and are seeking to clarify their vision for ministry,” Deb says.…
Race or Slow Pace? Two Ways to go about Managing Change Change is a constant for your team. Like other transitions a team faces (such as processing information and solving problems), your team members manage change in radically different ways. As a team conducts ministry, it passes through four inescapable transitions – movements or changes…
Push or Pull – Which Is the Best Way to Solve Problems? Every day your team is bombarded with new problems it must solve, both big and small. Solving problems is an important transition (like processing information) that each member of your team approaches in a unique way. As a team conducts ministry, it passes…
Processing Information: Which Is Best – To Trust or to Verify? How do your team members trust others and the information they receive? Chances are good that people on your team process information in different ways. As a team conducts ministry, it passes through four inescapable transitions – movements or changes that take the team…
A Team’s Tone Can Be Constructive or Destructive! I know which kind of team I prefer. I’m sure you do, too. If you’ve worked or volunteered at any level in a church, ministry, or organization, you have experienced one, the other, or both firsthand. This is part 1 of a 5-part series where we will…