Articles in this category focus on rejoicing in the community of other believers, how to build and nurture community, and how to better reflect Jesus Christ to our brothers and sisters in the faith.
Leaders see it all the time ‒ employees responding poorly to change initiatives. Maybe a new approach is required ‒ one that acknowledges the resisting forces and, in understanding them, reduces their sway.
Corey Olynik
What is the best and most biblical way to define a “healthy” church?
Malcolm Webber
This is a choice we are presented with every day. Will we see people in the static moment, through the lens of our own agenda, or will we consider their journey and what this moment of intersection with ours might really mean to them, and to us?
Scott Rodin
Do you know that the Lord Himself finds joy and satisfaction in His people? God’s people give Him pleasure! He joys over us with singing and takes delight in us. The new creation that is the church is a foretaste of the New Heavens and New Earth. While awaiting that glorious future God Himself says that we ought to rejoice in the people [...]
Jim Brenneman
Frustration and fear feature strongly in change processes. Churches and Christian NGOs are no exception in my experience. Not surprising I suppose, given they are staffed by humans, not angels. But left undealt with, frustration and fear give rise to mistrust and effectively block efforts at change.
Rick James
Osmo Wiio’s first law of communication is that “Communication usually fails, except by chance.” The barriers to effective listening are numerous. In order to be effective leaders, we must identify and understand that which hinders us from effective listening.
Malcolm Webber
When team members have the courage to build trust and make themselves vulnerable, it lays a foundation for a team, and it changes everything else that comes from that team.
Russ Cline
I’m a dad. I’m also a son. And it occurred to me recently that there are certain things that kids need from their dad. In fact, as I pondered the whole idea of fatherhood, I recall several examples in the Bible of “dad gifts” that were passed on to children. I think any dad would benefit from considering these, and, if you didn’t get [...]
Scott Turansky
Paul Tripp shares how our sin and brokenness helps us empathize.
Paul Tripp
Simply by valuing others, we can open up lines of communication that we thought were closed.
Elaine Vitikainen
How do you recognize numbness in your own leadership? Here are three warning signs.
Eric Geiger
Research studies all seem to return to one major theme to explain the exodus of church members: a sense of some need not being filled. In other words, these members have ideas of what a local congregation should provide for them, and they leave because those provisions have not been met. But many times, probably more than we would like [...]
Thom S. Rainer
It is relatively easy to live victoriously when we are all by ourselves. The “spiritual lone ranger” is not tested as deeply as the man who lives in community. It is easy to be patient when no one is irritating us! In reality, we only really mature and grow as Christians in the context of community.
Malcolm Webber
God, in everything, carries out the plan of His will. Can we trust Him as leaders?
Deborah Chupp
The church is in disunity for several reasons including gossip, self-serving leaders and lack of prayer. This breakdown of unity severely hinders our mission of reaching the lost and building the Kingdom of God.
Thom S. Rainer
Pastors’ children find themselves in a complicated position within the church community. Members’ expectations about their behavior, harmful gossip, and the taxing schedule of their pastoring parent may cause anxiety and breed cynicism in so-called “PKs” (Pastor’s Kids). Thom provides us with five reminders about how to combat this.
Thom S. Rainer
What started as a romantic bike ride had become a small intimate adventure. I had inadvertently awed her with my relaxed trust in her steering. And boy did I reap the benefits, scoring big points with my new wife. Not a bad idea on your honeymoon.
Jess MacCallum
Forgiveness is an essential component of any healthy organization. Forgiveness needs to be ingrained into the organization’s culture, modeled by the leadership, and embraced and practiced by everyone. It’s not easy - sometimes forgiving another person needs to be a conscious, daily decision!
Matt Parker
Do you struggle in seeking out relationships with mature leaders to learn from them? This holistic design will help.
Malcolm Webber
Swedish Mission Council