Category Archives: Pastors Masterclass
Developing Leaders – Guest Post @scottwilliams
For some time I have been reading the blog of Scott Williams, Big Is The New Small. It’s fantastic. Current, interesting and insightful. We share similar passions for Leadership. He agreed to this guest post for our reading pleasure. you can follow Scott on Twitter too. If You’re Not Developing Leaders – You’re Not Leading Leadership Development is one of those terms that people throw around with ease, often times without embracing the true essence of what it’s all about. The reality is that leadership development is one of the ultimate callings of leadership. Without leadership development, there cannot be the reproduction of more leaders. Without the reproduction of more leaders, the evolution of leadership begins to cease. The problem with leadership development is the fact that it takes time, creativity, patience, thoughtfulness and too many other descriptive words for a single blog post. Leadership development requires a leader to focus on the success of those they lead, while simultaneously focusing on the vision of the organization. Those things do happen simultaneously and are not mutually exclusive. If leaders have a genuine interest and commitment to make sure that those that they lead are successful, that’s development. It requires varied … Continue reading
Perry Noble on Secure Leadership
10 Signs Of A Secure Leader November 5, 2009 Realizes he has nothing to prove! Works for the applause of heaven and not for the applause of men. Seeks God for direction instead of merely asking Him for permission. Doesn’t pretend that he has all the answers. Seeks to submit to the Spirit instead of constantly grieving Him. Understands that he will go insane if his goal is for everyone to understand him. Is willing to repent when he is wrong and do whatever it takes to make things right. Puts personal preferences aside when making decisions that will impact the church. Has a sense of desperation for God, fully understanding the reality of John 15:5 . Refuses to compromise the vision, even when it may be convenient to do so! Bonus: Doesn’t have the majority of comments on his own blog.
The Power of Perseverance – Fred Smith
Fred Smith has been an online mentor of mine for years. His notes on Perseverance are outstanding. Perseverance is a process. But, it isn’t just a process for the exercise, but for the rewards. They are both satisfying and enduring. Here are seven benefits of perseverance. Maturity the ability to see things in proper perspective. It gives us the vision to establish an understanding of our life choices. Maturity allows us to understand the balance between rights and responsibilities. Responsibilities overlap, forming a bond —- a social lamination. In persevering we clearly learn to focus on our responsibilities while leaving the demands of our rights behind. Tough times sand the edges of our rights mentality. Character the seat of our values and the custodian of our will. Character is more important than intelligence, and even personality. It determines how we use both. Character generally grows and deepens in times of trouble more than in the lighter seasons. Isaiah says, I will give you the treasures of darkness. God is an artist who paints both in light and dark colors. May I remind you —– never lose the good of a bad situation.. Experiences become principles —- the process of storing … Continue reading
45 Life Lessons – Reflections from 90 years on the planet
Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio “To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I’ve ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more: Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good. When in doubt, just take the next small step. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. Pay off your credit cards every month. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present. It’s OK to let your children see you cry. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it. Everything can change in … Continue reading
Critical Success Factors For Your Website
I read this the other day on Seth Godin’s Blog and thought they were outstanding questions to ask when creating and designing your website. I used them on my website and on the website of the Church I lead What is the goal of the site? In other words, when it’s working great, what specific outcomes will occur? Who are we trying to please? If it’s the boss, what does she want? Is impressing a certain kind of person important? Which kind? How many people on your team have to be involved? At what level? Who are we trying to reach? Is it everyone? Our customers? A certain kind of prospect? What are the sites that this group has demonstrated they enjoy interacting with? Are we trying to close sales? Are we telling a story? Are we earning permission to follow up? Are we hoping that people will watch or learn? Do we need people to spread the word using various social media tools? Are we building a tribe of people who will use the site to connect with each other? Do people find the site via word of mouth? Are they looking to answer a specific question? Is there … Continue reading
The Eight Questions Every Pastor Must Answer Before Next Year – Part 4: How is your message being received
Communication: How is Your Message Being Received? As a leader, it is so important to learn to hone your craft as a skilled communicator. While it is important to have a vision as discussed in an earlier Masterclass Action Guide, it is equally as important to be able to communicate that vision in a clear, continual and creative manner. Fear not George Bernard Shaw when he said “The problem with communication … is the illusion that it has been accomplished.” Hold yourself to the highest standard of communication possible. Communication is such a vital factor in leading well. One definition of communication as the“giving and receiving of information and ideas.” However, often times even the best leaders are lacking on one end of communication or the other. While some may be lacking in the listening department, others may be falling short when it comes to giving a clear, precise message. As a leader you need to become competent in both the giving AND the receiving aspects of communication. Master the art of influential oration as well as develop the humility of listening and responding, that is leadership in communication at it’s best. This action guide will continue to focus on … Continue reading
The Eight Questions Every Pastor Must Answer Before Next Year – Part 3: How will you be as a leader?
How will you be as a Leader? “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” Jesus Several years ago I listened to Casey Treat open a conference I was attending. He simply said “Leadership is always the problem and leadership is always the solution!” I liked the second half of that statement and had to concede my pride to the first half. The bottom line is this, who we ARE as leaders will make a significant difference to the kind of year each of us has and the kind of year our ministries have. Who you are as the leader will positively or negatively affect your life and ministry. In my work as an Executive Coach we ask the question “Who are you being?” ‘Who do you need to be at this time?” Leadership is an inside job followed by the courage to act. As you focus on the new year I want to ask you the most important leadership question that when you answer you will notice how much clarity, courage and energy it gives you. That question is…. WHO DO YOU NEED TO BE AS THE LEADER FOR THE NEXT SEASON … Continue reading
The Eight Questions Every Pastor Must Answer Before Next Year – Part 2: How will you make disciples?
How will you make disciples? The Church only has one job! That’s all. Just one. There is only one responsibility Jesus left us all to be fully engaged in, to be fully devoted to, to fully give our lives to. Just one. Jesus told us to be purposeful. To be focused and laser like in our concentration on the primary task of His Church. The Church only has ONE job. To make disciples of all nations That is it. How well are you doing at it? His last command my first priority In Matthew 28:19, Jesus tells us just what he expects from his church. “Go and make disciples of all nations,” he says. “Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Jesus left us all with one responsibility and one responsibility alone. My life and yours, the Church I am part of and the Church you are part of MUST contribute in some way to making disciples of all nations and I contend you must be able to easily point out exactly WHERE and HOW that happens in your ministry. … Continue reading
The Eight Questions Every Pastor Must Answer Before Next Year
Dear Pastor, I’ve just completed an Action Guide called “Pastors Masterclass – The Eight Questions Every Pastor Must Answer Before Next Year.” It contains what I think are the eight most important questions we as Pastors must ask ourselves as we prepare for the ministry year ahead. It has information, focus activities & inspiration around eight critically important questions that set your ministry up to win in the year ahead. This action guide stresses the importance of looking inward before you look forward to the year ahead, and acting on the answers so that we growing visionary, healthy ministries. It has a practical section that lets you work on your year ahead as well share your vision with your staff, leaders and team. You can print this Action Guide as many times as you like and give copies to your staff, team and leaders. After reading this Action Guide, you and your team will have a clearer understanding of what you are trying to achieve, how to achieve it and what creative options will get you there. This Guide is free. I want you to have the best ministry year you have ever had. All you need to do is … Continue reading
The Eight Questions Every Pastor Must Answer Before Next Year – How Sticky is Your Vision?
How sticky is your vision? You must have a clear, consistent and compelling vision for your people to follow. George Washington Carver once said, “Where there is no vision, there is no hope.” In order to reach your destination, you must always have a picture of the future leading the way. The responsibility of Visioneering rests on the Senior Leader; the responsibility of creating it however, can come from your team of trusted leaders and advisers. Is Your Vision Sticky I define vision as a picture of the future that motivates united action. So how do you know when your vision is paving the way for others to be motivated to unite behind? First, you must step back and ask yourself “Is the vision clear, consistent, compelling and calling people to action?” These are the three very important components to seeing that your vision gets off the walls and into the heart of each member of the Church. It must be clear, easily remembered and understood. It must be consistent, easily seen in action in the life of the Church and it must be compelling, it must draw and inspire me to change how I am living now and in … Continue reading
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