Not every organization needs a charismatic hero. Learn why steady, humble, long-term leadership often builds healthier, stronger, and more resilient organizations.
I recently had an interesting conversation with a woman about her spiritual journey. During an acutely painful period in her life, she lost a child. In her grief, God remained silent. She wondered why he wasn’t speaking words of comfort to her. Eventually, she began to review the spiritual markers in her life. She chronicled…
Most people prefer spring to winter (unless they’re a hockey fan!). We enjoy the excitement of beginnings, not the melancholy of endings. Starting a new job or business feels far more exhilarating than hitting our twenty-year work anniversary. Yet I’ve learned that it takes just as much faith and courage to end something as it…
In North America, if someone asks how you’re doing, you’re likely to reply, “I’ve been busy.” Responding any other way could imply that you aren’t an important person with important things to do. In today’s culture, busyness has replaced holiness, wisdom, and virtue as the most coveted quality of an admirable person. We care more…
Throughout history, the church has often struggled to discern what mattered most. Innumerable battles have been waged over periphery concerns. Just because someone is passionate or angry about something doesn’t mean it’s an issue of great importance. When the gospel was spreading across the Gentile world, some Jewish Christians believed it was essential to ensure…
I knew a minister who was asked to resign from four churches in a row. He was a nice man who longed to be a pastor, but he couldn’t lead. All four churches noted that when faced with problems or possibilities, he was indecisive. He feared taking a stand, lest people oppose him or take…
I ran a 10K on Saturday. It wasn’t pretty. I hadn’t run since suffering from a severely herniated disc in my lower back three years ago. But the time was right to try again. Taking three years off of running hadn’t been good for my health. My doctor (who is a runner) had been blunt…
I love reading biographies of leaders. It inspires me to learn how they took discouraged, defeated groups of people and helped them experience victory. Some of the best leadership stories are in the Bible. People used to ask my dad if there were any leadership books he recommended. He would often respond, “Yes, as a…
Long before my dad wrote Experiencing God, he was living it. My family would sit around the dinner table and listen to stories of how God had miraculously given us exactly what we needed. For us, God wasn’t simply a doctrine; he was a Person we could experience and trust. My dad grew up in…
As I get older, I spend increasing amounts of time trying to remember everything I want to tell my doctor during my next appointment. I see my primary care physician every six months for a major physical and a follow up. I had my follow up a few weeks ago. I mentioned that I was…