Competencies
Articles in this category focus on how a Christian leader can build and nurture competencies and apply them practically in ministry life.
The “Real Stuff” of Cross-Cultural Coaching
We won’t always get the details of culture right. Yet, when our attitude is humble and Christ-like, allowing the Holy Spirit to spur our internal GPS to “recalculate” over and over, when we let the client lead, rather than our culturally bound expectations, there is grace and transformation ahead!
Tina Stoltzfus Horst
Today’s Challenge to Christian Teachers
The goal of teaching someone to climb mountains is more than teaching mechanics of climbing. The teacher equips the student with all the nuances of safety and planning as well as appreciation of the splendor at the top. God empowers all believers to serve with their gifts and not just to listen to teaching. Teachers must help keep the body of Christ in balance, and George urges teachers not to get so wrapped up in brilliant teaching as an end in itself, but to realize it is the means for the Body to be equipped to use their spiritual gifts to serve.
George Patterson
How Old Am I Emotionally?
The following four questions and statements can give an insight into whether we are infants, children, adolescents, or adults emotionally.
Stephen Mayers
3 Ways to Crush the Idol of Innovation
In ministry, innovation can be a great thing when utilized to reach and serve people. But like all great things, innovation can become an idol—something that ministry leaders seek as an end in itself. When innovation becomes the goal, it has moved from tool for reaching people to an object of affection. How do we know the difference?
Eric Geiger
6 Tensions of Life in a Small Ministry
If you serve in a small church, you understand tension. You can’t get away from it. Truthfully, ministry anywhere comes with tension regardless of the size of your church. But the tensions in a small church are unique and are worth a fresh look.
Brannon Marshall
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
What No One Tells You about Being a Leader
Good leadership demands that we understand what we control and what we do not. Among numerous healthy reasons for this is so that when followers are playing the blame game, we are not drawn into an unhealthy discourse: both with others, and within our mind’s conversation.
Kevin Thompson
5 Types of Goals Ministry Leaders Must Avoid
Here are five big mistakes ministry leaders make when they think about setting goals.
Eric Geiger
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
6 Ways to Attack Viruses That Destroy Leaders
John Owen preached, “You must be killing sin or sin will be killing you,” and we must bring both intensity and intentionality to killing these viruses. We should not seek to manage them; we should seek to kill them.
Eric Geiger
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
Leading Abundantly
Fall follows Summer, which follows Spring and time marches on just as God designed. He limited time for us in set hours in a day, and set days in a week. We think there are not enough hours in a day, but God knew before He created time how mankind would use it. Scott discusses some poignant points about time management, and notes that pride may be the greatest weakness regarding the use of our time.
Scott Rodin
Take a Lesson from a Silly Goose
Leaders might learn a thing or two from a silly goose. Geese develop remarkable synergy, allowing them to fly as far as 1,700 miles without stopping. Flying solo doesn’t hit the mark for geese; neither can leaders go it alone for their whole adventuresome journey.
David Goodman
4 Strategies to Connect with Others
Ever feel like someone is not paying attention to you when they are not looking at you? How about when you are talking and they are tapping on a screen? What does that body language say when someone is trying to communicate with you? God has put you into other people’s lives on purpose. How can we as Christian leaders be a better representation of Christ to our family and friends – to the ones that know us the best and get under our skin the most?
Brittney Moses
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
Are You Neglecting to Communicate?
Communication is worth the investment and is very powerful. We can recall when our communication mattered, such as ordering a meal and enjoying it when it is placed on our table, when a family member humbly asked for forgiveness, or when a colleague offered much needed help. This is one of the great questions about human communication: Why do we believe that our communication can make a positive difference?
Quentin Schultze
A Leader’s Dumb and Dumber Mistakes
Humans make dumb mistakes. With more than 33 years in ministry, Charles has committed his share of dumb mistakes, as have we all, without ill will or an evil heart. Even so, these mistakes are … well, just dumb.
Charles Stone
Self-Care Is Never Selfish
Taking care of ourselves is an intentional act of good stewardship. We are the only gift we have to offer other people. Self-care gives others permission to do the same without feeling guilty. The Bible describes our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. We need to look after that temple.
Dr. Stanley Arumugam
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 Weapon of Wisdom
Wisdom sends the enemy fleeing. It is God’s gift-in-waiting. All we need to do is ask for it, seek after it and expect God to provide it. What will you do today to accept this gift?
Scott Rodin