Leadership Lessons

Vision is a deep impression on the heart, an invitation to get involved in what God is doing.Proverbs 29:18 states, "Where there is no vision, the people cast of restraint." Vision defineswhere a church and organization is going. It describes, in general terms, your uniqueness inGod's ministry.George Barna has said that 98% of pastors have never articulated a vision to their church. Once a pastor ...

Once a pastor has helped the church define who it is and has established a relationship of trust (see last article), he is ready to cast a vision. Proverbs 29:18 states, "Where there is no vision, the people cast of restraint." Leadership magazine says, "Every great work and every great person has come under the influence of a vision that changed them, and therefore, changes others."How important ...

Vision is a hot topic today. However, a church cannot give direction for the future until they define who they are. John Maxwell has stated that the first job of a leader is to give purpose to the organization. Since we are the Bride of Christ, and Christ is the head, I want to be involved in His purpose.In Luke 19:10 we read, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." ...

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came, and the disciples were in one accord (Acts 2:1). The key to church growth is the Holy Spirit working in the church. A necessary ingredient for the Spirit to move is unity. As I stated in my last article, I have never witnessed the Holy Spirit moving in a divisive church.If "everything rises and falls on leadership", the Pastor is the one who sets the ...

Have you ever seen a divisive church grow? There is no true church health or growth without the moving of the Holy Spirit, In preparation for Pentecost, the Bible teaches that Jesus' followers were of "one mind" (Acts 1:4). John teaches that the Spirit is like the wind - no one knows where the wind will blow next. Likewise, it is with the Spirit.Personally, I have seen God overcome some bad decisi...

An older pastor once told me, "If you love your people, they will forgive you for a lot of bad sermons". This was some of the worst advice I ever received. Not all will go through a crisis during your tenure; however, everyone will hear you preach - and expect to be fed.We read in the Bible, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and tha...

It's been said there are three types of leaders: risk takers, care takers, and undertakers. Few things in life are more risky or difficult than bringing about a new order of things. George Barna says, "Church growth is not so much a formula as it is a series of creative and sensitive responses to a changing environment".Most people reject change of any kind. John Maxwell said recently, "Leaders ha...

Leaders Who Last: A security found in ChristWe have been in a series of leadership lessons on what it takes to have longevity in a ministry. We have said there are two areas we concern ourselves:The inner life of the pastorThe relationship with the congregationIn the first area, we find six principles:A calling to ministryA mission with that callingA godly definition of successA disciplined lifeA ...

Leaders Who Last: A willingness to changeWe have been in a series of leadership articles on “Leaders Who Last.” It’s been said that a person changes every 4-7 years. If a pastor is going to have longevity in ministry, he must reinvent himself several times.Pastors, we often lament on our church’s unwillingness to embrace change. There are articles and books written on the challenges and steps to b...

Leaders Who Last: A disciplined lifeWhat is the secret of longevity in ministry? After 31 years, I can say, “I am a hard guy to run off.”I am often asked, “What is the one thing that makes longevity possible”? There is no one thing. It’s like after getting a fly wheel spinning at a high speed asking someone, “What was the big push that made it go that fast”? There is no one push. There are several...