Tim is an amazing leader. His strategic thinking and rational approach to ministry has no doubt made a huge Kingdom impact at Granger and through his well-read blog. Tim probably barely remembers it, but when we were a very young church Tim helped me think through some issues in leadership I was dealing with at the time. It was invaluable. Recently I had the chance to sit with Tim in a strategic meeting and saw firsthand the excellence with which he leads.
By popular request,I am going to post more about marriages on this blog. Over the next few weeks or months, as long as I can stretch what I have learned, I will share some insight into marriage through a Monday Marriage Moment. Today’s focus is communication.
Sarah lived 127 years. That’s all. Period. End of the writing of her story on earth. Her memory would live on and we are still reading and talking about her today, but as far as altering her story she only had 127 years of days in which to write it.
I am not an advocate of blasting one’s struggles to everyone who will listen. I’m a private person myself. The truth is, however, that one person’s struggle helps another struggling with the same issue. It’s easier to identify with someone once you’ve experienced what he or she is experiencing. It is much more difficult to know how another person feels if you have never walked where he or she is walking.
This is a blessing to watch. What are you going through that you would have never asked for, but have no choice but to endure? You can choose to embrace the unknown by trusting God, or you can become bitter and resist the great things He can do through suffering. I look forward to watching as God continues to develop Colt McCoy’s life.
I’m older now than I used to be. I have aches I didn’t once have. My hair is more gray. Recently my youngest son said, “Hey Pops, you are starting to look old.†He doesn’t realize how much I’m starting to feel it also. It isn’t completely bad though. As I have entered what may be considered my “middle agesâ€, I am realizing some benefits from being the age that I am today.
Do churches need a marketing plan? I realize even using business language bother some church people, but personally, I think we need to learn to market our message. We are trying to tell people who do not necessarily want to hear our story about the love of a God they do not know. Sounds to me like we need a plan.
Part of growing an organization is delegating, or getting more people involved in the process of accomplishing the overall goals and objectives of the organization. It cannot be overemphasized that if you want to grow the organization, you must learn to delegate. The part of delegation, however, that many leaders have the hardest time doing is letting go of his or her right to control the work being delegated.
We are not a very formal organization at Grace Community Church. As our church and staff have grown, however, we have recognized the need for more structure. I try to keep an open door policy of leadership and frequently ask for input and try to provide feedback. I realize, however, that communication is one of the areas I continually need to improve upon, especially as our church grows larger.
None of us probably enjoys worrying, yet even Jesus must have recognized our tendency to worry, because He made it a point to challenge us not to worry. The simple truth is that living worry-free is very simple in theory, but it’s the practice of doing what we know to do that is hard for us. Still, in spite of the difficulty, are you up for a challenge? Let me encourage you to follow these steps to a worry-free 2010.
