When Friendly Isn’t Enough: What I Learned Sitting Alone in Church
Have you ever walked into a new place and felt two things at the same time; hopeful and uncomfortable? It happened to me not long ago when I visited a…
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“Clear as Mud”: Why We Still Do Creative Work (and How We Missed Saying So)
“I wish you still did creative work…” Someone said this to me recently, and I was honestly caught off guard. Because…we never stopped. That comment revealed something important: we hadn’t clearly…
Read MoreThis is Your Story Too
We’ve been told this before: “It’s not about you.”And to be honest, there’s some truth in that. Ministry is, at its core, about the transformative work of Jesus, the big…
Read MoreHoly Sarcasm! When (and When NOT) to Get Snarky in Ministry
The other day, I was in a store and saw a T-shirt that said, “I speak fluent sarcasm.” For a second, I thought about buying it. Then I realized that…
Read MoreIs Your Ministry’s Brand Telling the Truth?
Wow, that’s a strong question. But sometimes, strong questions are exactly what we need to ask. As ministry leaders, we are surrounded by messages. Faith-based initiatives tell us things, and…
Read MoreHow Churches Can Overcome Perception Barriers and Improve Communication?
Most churches talk about getting new people to come to church. In fact, many churches set goals for visitor attendance, promote invitation Sundays, and encourage their congregation to invite friends…
Read MoreThe Hidden Struggles of Ministry: What Pastors Wish You Knew
Growing up as a pastor’s kid, I remember people often saying, “It must be amazing growing up in a pastor’s home.” They would follow it up with comments like, “You…
Read MoreAre You Losing Your Audience? The Danger of Starting the Conversation Midway
Have you ever had someone start a conversation with you as if you were already halfway through it? They jump in with details and references that make no sense to…
Read MoreThe Leadership Communication Link: How Understanding Influence Transforms the Way You Lead and Connect
When I was young in ministry, I had never really gone through any leadership training. We didn’t have any structured development embedded into our church because we were such a…
Read MoreSeeing What You Can’t See: Leadership Blind Spots
You know that feeling when you’ve been walking around all day with something everyone else can see about you, but you have no idea about it yourself? Like a “kick…
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