I’ve never been a good worrier. I have met people my whole life who could out-worry me and were frustrated I wasn’t as worried as they were. I have often thought worrying just wasn’t my issue, something I was … above. A few months ago I was combing over the Sermon on the Mount with […]
Alan Briggs
Dear Stephen, I have this person in my life – maybe it’s my spouse, maybe it’s one of my kids, maybe it’s a friend – it doesn’t really matter. They have this sinful habit that drives me absolutely bonkers. They complain a lot. Or maybe they criticize me a lot. Or maybe they argue a […]
Stephen Altrogge
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
This life can be pretty scary at times. Who knows what’s going to happen with our government? With drugs, morals, terrorism, the economy or all kinds of other issues? If our finances are tight or one of our children is going through a crisis, we can be tempted to fear and preoccupied with the future. […]
Mark Altrogge
This is Part 1 in a series on Listening Over my life, I’ve been fortunate to work with many leaders who are older and wiser. Sometimes when people have that much experience, they’re tempted to be “advice dispensers” – to always need to educate, direct, and caution everyone around them. But many of the leaders I’ve […]
Adrian Pei
Ministry is shifting. If you’ve been in children’s ministry for a while (as many of you have), you might feel like your skills are growing dull; strategies that used to work seem to fall flat. Practices that used to easily equip families no longer work. Things are changing. There are a host of cultural realities […]
Larry Fowler
Whether you realize or not, relationships are the fuel that feeds your success, and are often highlighted as an important part of your role as a leader. Interpersonal relationships are most important to success in all organizations today. They are especially important in times of organizational stress, emergencies and disasters. They are [...]
Patrick Ondrey
Leaders may be described as curving inward toward themselves and their own interests or curving outwards towards others. How do we achieve the convex shape of the leader who is “curved outward” toward those they lead and serve?
Scott Rodin
I’m at a small conference of workers. The theological reflection the other day was Exodus 33. In this chapter, God begins by telling Moses: Then the LORD said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, […]
Justin Long
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. Thankfully, there is no natural talent needed to be […]
Stephen Vaughn
Are you investing in the life of someone spiritually younger than you? Know that the young women in your church want, and need, you to be.
Melissa Meredith
In this article, I will endeavor to establish a theological foundation for spiritual formation that transforms the character, and results in greater influence. To change the church culture for such results, leaders must seek personal as well as corporate spiritual growth that goes deep. The early American pilgrims knew that God needs our [...]
Michael Wilson
Can you imagine if on the day my granddaughter was born, her father Stephen began assigning her chores: “OK Charis, listen up and listen tight. First thing, change your diaper. Milk is in the fridge and bottles are in the cupboard. After your bottle, you can start by cleaning up the living room, then cutting […]
Mark Altrogge
After glimpsing pain in my neighbor’s eyes my curiosity was stoked. That moment has led us to five years of immersion into the lives of those in closest proximity to us. We immersed ourselves in the rhythms and relationships of our neighborhood. We anticipated some great opportunities, but we didn’t anticipate training our kids to [...]
Alan Briggs
Imagine the following scene. You take your car into a repair shop because it is not running well. After a thorough check your mechanic tells you that your engine is damaged and will need a complete overhaul, which will be expensive and take a great deal of time. You respond by suggesting that perhaps if […]
Scott Rodin
If there’s anything that Jeff Pessina has learned in 37 years of ministry in the Philippines, it’s that he doesn’t write the job descriptions in his life. “The most significant surrendering in my life was when things weren’t going the way I wanted them to or the way I expected. The Lord has never shown up as clearly and as audibly as at [...]
Kelsey McFaul
It is often easier to take the well-traveled road, but now is not the time to grow apathetic. It is not the time for good people to do nothing. Kevin understands the temptation of apathy but encourages us to confront it.
Kevin Thompson
While writing this, I am watching four seagulls that are initially sunning themselves on the sand. Then suddenly two start squawking at the other two and a battle is begun, until one party is intimidated and retreats. But no reconciliation or resolution has taken place. How often does that happen in life?
Stephen Mayers
Jesus could have completed His mission alone, but He chose to live and serve in the context of community. Jesus did a lot of good “things” (healed the sick, loved the forsaken, etc.), but there was much more to His earthly work than just a series of good works. Jesus took an approach that set in motion what was to become the Church.
Mark Szymanski
Groupthink lulls a team into deadly complacency. Here’s how to know if your team is already there.
Malcolm Webber