How Shepherding Like a Barbarian Benefits the Church Flock (Church Season Part 3)
This third installment in the mini-series is about how pastors who shepherd with a posture of a barbarian can facilitate beautiful change which fuel and protect the flock of God.
Speeding Up By Slowing Down: A Leadership Paradox
As a pastor, I like to run fast and run some more. But while I’m inclined this way, I can’t deny the drawbacks of constant speed without ever letting up. There is a paradoxical relationship between speeding up and slowing down. Awareness of this reality will make a leader wise for greater stewardship.
Why Your Church Needs Introverted Leaders
At least one-third to half of the people are made up of introverts. And while the church desperately needs extroverted leaders (the church is a gathering of people after all), there are a few reasons why I think every church needs introverted leaders. I share a few of these reasons in this post.
“My church’s teaching model is video and live hybrid. Here’s why I love it.”
My church people receive God’s Word through a combination of live or video teaching on a given weekend. I never thought I’d be part of a church (much less the lead pastor) that utilizes this hybrid model. But the bigger surprise for me has been why I’ve grown to love this model so much. This post details these reasons.
I’m Launching a Church This Weekend. Here’s Some Backstory
What started out last year as a localized gathering to serve God’s people makes the transition as an official congregation this coming Sunday. In this post, I share some personal backstory and subsequent learnings from the last 15 months.
Do We Hurt Young Leaders When We Platform Them Too Quickly?
How quickly should young leaders be platformed? Do we set up young leaders for failure when we empower them too much, too quickly? How do we wisely unleash the gifts of younger leaders so it looks beautiful 20 years later? Is there a way to make it fall-proof? This post explores these questions.
Church Ministry is Important, But Not Everything. There’s a Difference
I have an obsessive personality. While this trait helps me to do things with passion and focus, there’s a downside: I can quickly lose perspective and treat one thing as everything. But it’s important for church leaders and pastors to put church ministry in perspective: Church ministry is significant, but it should not be the singular thing.
Why Your Anxiety Needs to Be Managed Before You Lead Others
Spiritual leaders carry a burden. We walk in a constant tension between the peace of God and a godly burden. But how this burden is managed can make all the difference for our people and our own leadership capacity.
What’s the Difference Between the Small Church Pastor and the Large Church Pastor? (The Answer May Surprise You)
Is the pastor of a larger church more gifted or godlier than the small church pastor? Is the small church pastor more humble and theologically sound than the pastor of a large church? What is the exact difference between the two? In this post, I explore the key difference.
What Are the Differences Between the Seasoned & the Unseasoned Pastor?
What are the differences between seasoned and unseasoned pastors? In this blog, I make 5 observations about seasoned bosses and influencers I’ve had the privilege of interacting with and learning from. I also share practical ways younger pastors can learn from seasoned pastors.
Workflow Rhythms for Pastors to Consider for the Health of their Church, Family, and their Souls
As pastors engage in the daily grind to be faithful to their people, they can fall into the trap where the very effort to manage one’s duties can result in a pastor being managed by them which can be to the detriment of their church, family, and their own souls. In this post, I explore a workflow rhythm for sustainable health and holistic life integration.
The Emerging Pastor (or “Christian Influencer”) Who Makes Me Nervous
It can be a beautiful sight when a pastor’s influence (or a Christian’s social media account) takes off. It can be a great benefit to those under their influence and a testament to the power of God. At the same time, I feel a bit nervous when I see a combination of key factors playing out in the life of the leader or influencer. This post examines those factors.
Learnings from Church Planting in a Pandemic
I’m currently a witness to two things happening simultaneously: The development of a baby boy and the development of a baby church on the other. 2020 has been a crazy year so it only makes sense for these two births and subsequent development to happen in the same year. In Part 1 of 2, I share some of the learnings I’ve gleaned from church planting.
10 Lessons for Young Pastors From the Life of Charles Spurgeon
Charles Spurgeon was a famous 19th century London pastor of an influential church, The Metropolitan Tabernacle. Many recognize him today as “The Prince of Preachers” and the author of treasured works such as “Lectures to My Students” and “The Treasury of David.” I also believe there is much to glean from his life, especially for young pastors. Upon reading Arnold Dallimore’s biography of Charles Spurgeon, I saw 10 things that I believe are a helpful challenge and encouragement to young pastors today.
Buildings and Babylon - Hope for the Church Facing an Uncertain Future in Search of a New Normal
Many leaders are tired and anxious and rightfully so. But I also believe we have good reason for hope in the future of the church. Based on the Babylonian Exile of Israel as a case study, we have good reason to believe God has a track record for how he will lead God’s people moving forwards.
4 Thoughts for Strategic Re-Opening for College & Young Adult Ministry Leaders
God has always leveraged crisis moments. In this post, I share 4 thoughts for consideration for college and young adult leaders preparing for re-opening.
4 Helpful Practices When Leading in a Crisis
There have been many great leadership articles during this season. This one takes a practical angle which gives four leadership practices that can make the world of a difference during a time when we need to be the difference for the world.
How To Be Tone-Deaf During a Crisis
Presently, our world is in a global pandemic. There is fear, anxiety, and sadness. There is also tone-deafness in the way some have responded to Covid-19. In this post, I highlight 3 ways we can be tone-deaf in this present crisis.
Why I’m Humbled as a Church Leader In a Time Like This
During this unique season of covid-19, I find myself humbled greatly as a church leader. In this post, I share 3 ways I’ve been humbled.
5 Reasons Bi-Cultural Church Leaders Don’t Get Hired
Would the Apostle Paul get hired today? I’m not so sure. Why is it hard for some bi-cultural church leaders to get hired? In this post, I give 5 reasons why bi-cultural church leaders don’t get hired.