Leadership
5 Reasons To Call A Timeout In Ministry
It’s fourth down on the 4-yard line and the team is down by 7 points with seconds to go. The clock is running down—so the coach calls the team’s final timeout in this very critical moment. This is the coach’s opportunity to put the overwhelming pressure of the moment on hold to speak into the…
Read MoreImposter Syndrome
“Still don’t know what I was waitin’ for And my time was runnin’ wild A million dead end streets and Every time I thought I’d got it made It seemed the taste was not so sweet So I turned myself to face me But I’ve never caught a glimpse How the others must see the…
Read More3 Ways To Be A Leader Who Listens
A number of years ago this question was posed to me by a friend: “To whose voice are you listening?” As I reflected on this question, it penetrated my mind and my heart in a way that I’ve never forgotten. There is a 3×5 card on my bedroom mirror and another in my office to…
Read MoreHow To Deal With Parents in Youth Ministry
“You have no idea what it’s like to be a parent of a high school student. You’ll understand once you have kids of your own.” My best laid plans to help fell flat. As these parents left my office my first thought was: “I’m a total failure. Is Walmart hiring?” My second thought was: “Those…
Read MoreExpository Preaching and Anchoring To The Rock
Picture yourself rock climbing. The sun shines and sweat drips from your forehead. You’re fifty feet above the ground on the side of a rockface. Your arms burn. You keep dipping your sweaty hands in the bag of chalk that hangs from your belt as though that will make climbing easier. Of course, you expect…
Read More5 Ways To Achieve Longevity in Ministry
I’m a 53-year-old youth pastor. Most of the jokes at our youth ministry involve my baldness. I’m glad to give the students an easy target for their underdeveloped, juvenile sense of humor. Considering that our 19-year-old worship leader looks like a cross between Fabio and Samson, making fun of me for my high-gloss sheen is…
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