3 Ways Your Church Can Stay Focused on Its Vision

I have had the privilege of working with numerous congregations to clarify their identity and lean into the future proactively. When that has gone well, one consequence has nearly always been true: The fresh vision requires a significant shift in the organizational...

How to Know When Your Church Needs to Scale Back

Our current economy, coupled with the ongoing transitions in congregational life and ministry focus, has combined to create intense pressure on church staffing models. With finances tight, congregations are being forced to take stock of the number of professional...

Self-Preservation Takes Toll on Many Churches, Pastors

A young pastor was recently recounting the events that led to his dismissal. Throughout the painful ordeal, he had relied upon a small group of spiritually mature, trusted advisers to help him navigate the uncertainties he faced. As events unfolded, he was devastated...

5 Essential Tools to Make Your Ministry Healthier

Very regularly, ministers ask for my help with ministerial and congregational life in very pragmatic ways. What is the best way to organize, plan, preach, administer, supervise, lead, teach, evangelize, pray, cultivate a spiritual life, raise a family, play? You name...

Self-Absorbed Churches Observe Half the Gospel

One of the polarities every minister must navigate is between ministry within the congregation and ministry in the surrounding community. Is the minister called to serve the members of the local church exclusively, or is there a larger call to a “parish”...