Breaking All the Rurals

Within every great leader are leadership blindspots - weaknesses that can cause major damage to the organization. I love the close of a year and all the best/worst list...so here are my blindspots God has revealed to me from 2010:

#1 Vision Casting
I thought the church heard clearly when I shared our vision the first Sunday of the year and still loved it in July. I began this September ...

The Christmas Spirit has saturated me this year. (I even let the cats in my house last night…but just for a few minutes). I love what our culture brings to enhance this time of the year…movies, goodies, decorations and lights. We as the church should leverage these opportunities to promote Christ. Instead on many occasions we have become Scrooges, often making our message one of hate and defensiveness. ...

Church Leadership is an anomaly, puzzling me daily. I do understand one thing...YOU MUST HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE AROUND YOU! Here are four things a staff/team/volunteers should be and provide for every leader.

Refinement -
Your team should polish, prune and improve your leadership. Your team should bring something to the table, not just take from it.

Refreshment -
Energy, Excitement, Expectation and Excellence is refreshing. Philemon 1:20 "...

Continuing this week is the thought of prevailing leadership in the church. Again, after having the privilege to meet several pastors in the last few months these characteristics are OBVIOUS!

#1 Serious about Marriage
Every leader I know, with increasing influence are passionate, about their marriage. They realize their marriage is a picture of their salvation. Jesus is the Groom; we are the Bride...red hot marriage equals a great relationship ...

Prevailing churches are on the rise and God is growing His Kingdom all over the world. In my limited travel I have seen these  qualities apparent in each local church. Note this: the qualities are there, but the approach, style, and way of executing these attributes are extremely unique.

#1 Leadership
A growing church ALWAYS has a great, called leader. Leadership that is directed through a sensitivity to The Holy Spirit. ...

The heart of God for His Church saturates the pages of His Word. It may be the most neglected truth taught in most local churches around the world. Don't be upset, just answer this question; "How much of your church budget, programming, sermons are centered around the poor, needy, oppressed, broken, fatherless and widowed? I HAVE BEEN WRECKED by the call of God to serve those in need! Jeremiah sums ...

Here are just a few thoughts before planning your next worship experience:

#1 The Senior Pastor is the Lead Worshipper in your Church.
#2 You need...a) Planner b) Performer c) Passioner...not a real word d) Player...executes it top to bottom
#3 Your proximity to God personally will be the proximity the church will go corporately.
#4 Bring elements to your Senior Pastor, not just songs.
#5 Your staff, and church leaders, MUST ...

Vision continues to be my theme, as we uncover the pitfalls of ministry in Rural America. I am sure they are the same everywhere, but I am learning what happens when you do what God's Word says. When God's vision is stuck on you as the leader, it will stick on those you lead, like BAND-AID. I have been WRECKED by God these last few weeks, and here are a ...

After completing our first coaching network session yesterday I am on fire! Networking with other pastors/leaders is a must. The Lone Ranger days of pastoring are done. I learned more yesterday than I could have ever imagined. Here are the highlights:

#1 If you don't network with other pastors/leaders you will be in a leadership vacuum.

#2 An idea is exciting, but a collaboration of ideas is POWER.

#3 God is ...

There is one time a year that most doors are receptive to visitors all over America...that's right HALLOWEEN!  The trick or treat gig opens doors everywhere bearing gifts.  I am not certain, but this may be the greatest day to get God's message in more homes than any other.   We start our October 31st Sunday evening with a costume contest for all ages and people from everywhere show up ...