Any church with over 50 people needs some form of small group ministry so that genuine relationships are developed and discipleship occurs. Whatever form of small group ministry you may, have is a helpful article on small group leadership by Mark Howell: Whether you use a low or high bar of small group leadership, I think all of us have hope that our leaders will do more than open their home, facilitate a discussion or convene a meeting. And … I think some of us have begun laying the foundation for a kind of leadership pathway. See also, Raising the... Read more →

To: Jesus, Son of Joseph Woodcrafter’s Carpenter Shop Nazareth 25922 From: Jordan Management Consultants Dear Sir: Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for managerial positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; and we have not only run the results through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant. The profiles of all tests are included, and you will want to study each of them carefully. As part of our service, we make some general comments... Read more →

It’s amazing how something very small can eventually have a huge influence. Think of the tipping of a domino, the movement of a butterfly’s wings, the momentum of a snowball rolling down a hill or the spark of a small flame. Jesus understood this and told his disciples that they were like “salt and light” in the world - two small things that can have a powerful influence (Matthew 5:13-16). It was a call to be an influence for God’s kingdom. Me, a Leader? There are many ways to influence. Today we’ll be looking at leadership. What comes to mind... Read more →

The ministry of prophecy is to be an important part of the local church and the development of every church leader. This is a biblical concept and was used often in the appointment of leaders to various roles and ministries in the early church (see Acts 13:1-3. 1 Timothy 1:18-19; 4:14). The Prophetic Ministry A prophet is someone through whom God speaks His heart, mind and will. The Old Testament concept of a prophet is “one called (by God) to speak for God”. God spoke to and through prophets. A prophet was not independent. They spoke God's message, not their... Read more →

Here is a thought-provoking article on The Lonely Pastor: Nine Observations by Thom S. Rainer ... The conversation took place just yesterday. A young man told me his dad, a pastor, recently committed suicide. He talked about the pain his father experienced in ministry as well as the intense loneliness. Though suicide is not an inevitable outcome, I do know the number of pastors experiencing loneliness is high—very high. I hurt for these pastors, and I want to help in any way I can. Perhaps my nine observations can be a starting point for a healthy discussion on this important... Read more →

I am a PK - a "preacher's kid" or a TO - a "theological offspring", as my father used to call me. Growing up in a pastor's or minister's home is not easy. Many people think you should be perfect or at least have an extra holiness gene. It's just not true. Your surname brings all sorts of pressures and expectations, many of them unrealistic. No wonder far too many PKs drop out of the church and some from faith altogether. I am a survivor. People often ask me why. It's hard to explain ... but a few things I... Read more →

The third morning was about "leadership succession." I was asked to speak and here is a summary of what I shared. Out Story CityLife Church (originally called Waverley Christian Fellowship) is a multi-site church based in Melbourne, Australia. It began in 1967 with a small group of people led by its founding pastor, Richard Holland. Richard led the church for 20 years and in that time it grew to a congregation of around 600 people. Because of some health challenges in 1986, Richard passed the baton of leadership to his associate, Kevin Conner. Kevin led the church for the next... Read more →

The first morning of our gathering focused on "leadership wounds." Restoring Wounded Soldiers Pastor Abe Huber, who pastors a church of 60,000 people in Brazil, noted that the church is the only army that shoots its own wounded. How can we do better? 1. Don't forget the good that wounded or fallen soldiers have done. 2. Don't judge them for falling. Who are we to judge our neighbor? How easy it is to condemn and accuse. Remember, Satan is the accuser ... not us. 3. Don't ignore them ... like the priest and the Levite in Jesus' parable of the... Read more →

Last week, I spent a few days in Dallas, USA with leaders of a number of significant churches from around the world (primarily the non-Western world). I love to be around leaders who have more capacity and experience than I do. It is a terrific opportunity to learn and grow. It stretches and challenges me. Over the next few BLOG posts, I will share a summary of what I learned and some of the notes I took. Here is a brief outline, with appropriate links: 1. Leadership Wounds. 2. Leadership Influence. 3. Leadership Succession. 4. Insights from Gateway Church led... Read more →

The more involved you become in church leadership and ministry, the greater the temptation is to lead by your own gifts and abilities rather than out of intimacy with Jesus Christ. A daily relationship with Jesus is the key to freshness in ministry and an ability to impart life to people, rather than just run programs or meetings. Let’s be honest, any ministry without the active presence and power of God has no hope of bringing change to people’s lives. Ps 127:1. Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. NLT John 15:1-8. "I am... Read more →

It is essential that ministry leaders keep growing and developing their God-given potential. 1 Tim 4:12-16. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. What do people see when they look... Read more →

It is so easy to become busy managing what currently exists, that we fail to take time to improve what we’re doing let alone consider doing things differently or doing new things. As leaders, we must work on tomorrow not just keep up with today. This is what innovation is all about. We serve a creative God who, though he never changes in his character, has designed a world full of variety and freshness (Gen.1:1). We are created in his image (Gen.1:26). It is important that we seek to make your ministry fresh and alive. Always ask, “Is there a... Read more →

Much of your effectiveness as a leader will be directly related to your ability to build a team of people who are passionately committed to the ministry you lead. Team building is leadership the way God designed it (Mark 1:16-17. Eph.4:11-16). The “team building” process includes four important tasks: 1. Gather – recruit people to your team. As a leader, you must be a “people person” who is friendly, outgoing and always on the look out for new people and new leaders, so they can be gathered in and harnessed. Learn to relate to a wide variety of people and... Read more →

In addition to leading your ministry, you must also manage it well (1 Tim.3:4-5, 12). “Leadership” can be defined as “doing right things” (effectiveness). “Management” is “doing things right” (efficiency). Both are important and necessary in ministry. Managing involves a number of tasks: 1. Leading - management involves ensuring that everyone knows the specific purpose and mission of the ministry. Answer the questions, “Where are we going?” and “Why?” Mission drifts and vision leaks, so they need to be continually reinforced. 2. Planning - management then involves planning and strategy that helps the ministry achieve its mission. This answers the... Read more →

Although there is to be one mission and one direction for each church, there are many expressions or ways that these are outworked. Like a highway with many lanes, a growing church provides opportunity for many different and unique ministries to thrive and flourish within the context of its overall purpose, as long as there is integration and alignment between them. When it comes to your ministry, you need to lead with excellence (Rom.12:6-8). Most ministries rise and fall on leadership. Overall direction and broad parameters will be given to you, but the vast majority of the details of what... Read more →

Every leader needs to first of all be a good follower. In fact, your ability to lead well is directly influenced by your ability to follow well. The apostle Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” (1 Cor.11:1). As church leaders, we too are to follow Christ by imitating him in character, who we are, and ministry, what we do (see Mk.4:19. Mt.16:24. Jn.10:27. Rom.15:5. 1 Pet.2:21. Rev.14:4). Shepherds are also sheep, disciplers are also disciples, and leaders are also followers. Secondly, church leaders are to follow the overall direction of their senior leader and the church they belong... Read more →

The Importance of Leadership Church and ministry leaders have a wide variety of tasks and responsibilities. These may include preaching, teaching, pastoral care, training and coaching others. One of our main tasks is to lead and God wants us to do this with the very best of our ability. Romans 12:6-8. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher,... Read more →

I really enjoyed the insights from this BLOG post on leadership by David M.Dye ... A mature bonsai tree commands attention. With just one tree a master evokes an entire landscape and tells a story of power, perseverance, struggle, or abundance. As I’ve studied bonsai, I realized that the art of growing these trees has much to say to aspiring leaders. To accomplish this elegant combination of grace and strength, great bonsai practitioners must be both gifted horticulturists and artists. In the same way, leading people entails both vision and cultivation. Here then, are 12 most inspiriting bonsai leadership lessons:... Read more →

As part of his letter to followers of Christ scattered throughout the Mediterranean world, the apostle Peter shared a few thoughts especially for church leaders. 1 Peter 5:1-4. I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it's like to be a leader, in on Christ's sufferings as well as the coming glory. Here's my concern: that you care for God's flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others... Read more →

And finally ... 31. "Probably my best quality as a coach is that I ask a lot of challenging questions and I let the person come up with the answer." Phil Dixon 32. "The quality of the leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves." Ray Kroc 33. "No one will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it." Andrew Carnegie 34. "Uncertainty will always be part of the taking charge process." Harold Geneen 35. "Processes don't work; people do." John Seely Brown 36. "All serious... Read more →