Competencies
Articles in this category focus on how a Christian leader can build and nurture competencies and apply them practically in ministry life.
20 Lessons I Wish They’d Taught Me in Seminary
The Bible says that wisdom is worth more than gold, and understanding worth more than silver (Prov. 16:16). David learned many wise lessons during his more than 20 years in music and worship-leading ministry and shares them here to encourage serious introspection.
David Manner
Great Leaders Are Great Observers
Here’s my hypothesis: the more we talk, the less we notice. What do you think?
Adrian Pei
Are You a Good Listener?
Few things are as spiritually and emotionally comforting as spending time with a good listener. Sadly, I can count on one hand those in my life who qualify as good listeners. They’re few and far between – diamonds in the rough to be cherished when discovered.
Stephen Vaughn
The Rules of Innovation
One of the best ways to learn as a church leader is to get outside of the “church-world” and learn from other industries.
Paul Alexander
Follow to Lead
We all have plenty of first-hand experience of being a follower since we were born and followed our parents. Perhaps we need to invest as much in becoming good followers as we do in developing our leadership?
Hiwot Alemayehu
The Leader’s Foundation: What Do You Bring That Is Uniquely You?
You do not have to be born a white tiger to be unique. God has designed each human with unique qualities for a specific purpose. What is your unique design? Don’t know? See what Tom Horn has to say about your design.
Tom Horn
The Perfect Facilitator
Why do some resist the facilitation process? Why are some able to trust facilitators to have the best interests of the organization as well as the organization’s members at heart, while others cannot trust right away? Claes shares some excellent facilitator characteristics.
Claes Johan Alexandersson
3 Coordination Killers that Can Kill Your Leadership
A lack of coordination can destroy a team’s effectiveness. A lack of coordination across multiple areas can greatly harm a leader’s credibility.
Eric Geiger
Dave Odom9 Things Pastors Can Learn From Missionaries
Pastors may already be doing these things, but here are some things missionaries can remind us.
Chuck Lawless
Leaders Rarely Listen Well! Here’s How to Fix That
A leader’s ultimate success depends directly upon his effectiveness as a listener.
Malcolm Webber
Fine Lines – Leading with Balance
Most people have never walked a tightrope, but anyone who has watched someone do it knows balance is the ultimate key to staying upright. The same holds true for leadership. Balance is the key, and Rick addresses several significant characteristics of leadership that can be perverted from good to bad. He shows two sides of the coin in five classic examples.
Rick Weston
One Terrible Leadership Mistake We Make as Pastors (and Leaders)
There are many leadership mistakes we make as pastors. I’m certain I make one nearly every day. This post is only about one mistake. Only one, but one of the worst.
Ron Edmondson
Leaders Act!
Sometimes weathering a storm is just the act of hanging on for dear life. Most times, however, leaders must do more than that. You cannot wait for the perfect world. It will never come. You’re in the middle of a very messy one – so deal with it. And the better you do at taking initiative, the more responsibilities you will be given and the messier it will become.
Malcolm Webber
The Key Thing About Failure Is What We Learn from It
It’s not enough to have an attitude of tolerating and accepting failure. We must have an attitude of intentional testing and experimentation.
Justin Long
9 Ways to Lead Through Decisions
Use these suggestions to alter your church decision-making process and create a positive experience for you and your church community.
Brian Thorstad
5 Thoughts About Spending Your Leadership Equity Wisely
Every decision you make, and every risk you lead your organization to take will require an investment of some of your leadership equity (the trust people place in you). Here are five thoughts on how to do it right.
Brandon Cox
You’re Working on the Wrong Things and It’s Wearing You Out!
Many leaders are very conscientious and have a hard time giving away power to others. To be sure that things are done properly, they often end up just doing the work themselves. As a result, they are exhausted and their team members are frustrated. But how do we know which responsibilities we can give away and which ones we personally must do?
Malcolm Webber
6 Essential Identities of a Ministry Leader
As God’s people, our activity must be rooted in the identity He has graciously given us. Eric writes about six essential identities a ministry leader must have.
Eric Geiger
One Thing
What is the one thing that is making us get stuck as leaders or organizations? Is it pride, ego, mistrust, poor communication, visionless leadership, or leadership style? Once we focus on that one thing, we may get moving again and reach our destination.
Jonathan Mbuna