Tweet Sometimes the smallest changes reap the biggest results. Over the years I’ve come to realize I’ve often done things the wrong way. I’ve tried to make huge changes in…
Read More
Get New Blog Posts the moment they are released:
Tweet I have a heart for pastors. Maybe it stems from the fact I spent more years as a layperson – deacon, committee member, Sunday school teacher – than I…
Tweet I hate gossip. I realize hate is a strong word, but it’s the one I prefer here. I’ve seen so many negative results caused by gossip. Gossip happens in…
I read an interesting story from the life of the Biblical character of David again recently. The story says a great deal about leadership and what is required to successfully lead.
Here’s what I read:
When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,†he inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?â€The LORD answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah. But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!†1 Samuel 23:1-3
Notice David had a vision…a word from God. This was prior to David being the reigning king. He had been anointed king by God, but did not yet have the position. He was hiding from Saul. He had no kingdom of his own. This new assignment was scary, his army was questioning him, and the future was unknown.
Have you experienced a situation like this as a leader?
Thankfully David’s story had a happy ending: (Imagine that…God put him up to it.)
Once again David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.†5 So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah. 1 Samuel 23:4-5
This story prompts some thoughts on leadership:
Tweet I was interviewed a few years ago for a leadership podcast. One of the questions took me by surprise. I have been interviewed for podcasts many times, so answers…
Tweet There are some common occurrences during times of change in an organization. If a leader doesn’t understand them the chance for a successful transition is diminished, people remain frustrated,…
Tweet We have to be very careful with progress. Progress can be a fun. Most leaders want to see progress. Most people do also. But, as much as we may…
Tweet There is a day every leader has to face, even though no leader necessarily wants to face it. I have walked through this day with dozens of leaders over…
Tweet Where life involves people – whether among family, friends or co-workers – there will be potential for conflict. Any disagreement there? Want to fight about it? 🙂 In fact,…
Tweet I’ve made a lot of mistakes in leadership. One of the primary purposes of this blog is to help others learn from my experience. So, I want to share…
Tweet One signature of my ministry, as a pastor, has been how approachable I appear on Sunday. I’m not saying that to brag. You need to keep reading before you…
Tweet I love pastors. I’m not saying that because I am one. I haven’t always been. I was in secular leadership far longer than I’ve been in ministry leadership. I…
Tweet It seems every week a church contacts me to ask advice about church revitalization. I also frequently hear from pastors who are considering stepping into a role in church…
Jesus taught His disciples how to build the church. The chief goal would be to love people no one else loved, even when they were not very lovely. We have tried to plant a church with that philosophy. Along the way we have discovered what Jesus learned in working with religious leaders in His day. (See Matthew 16:5-12) When you reach genuine hurting people, the complainers will rise up, mostly among the most religious of people, and when these type people talk, their negative energy (yeast) spreads fast.
Tweet The following question is an actual question I once received from a blog reader, but it’s representative of one I frequently receive: Could you share or possibly write a…