I dedicate a good chunk of time each week to professional development. Here's eleven reasons why: Proverbs 2:3 says "cry out for insight and understanding..." Proverbs 4:7 says "Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! Proverbs 8:10 says "Choose instruction rather than silver, and knowledge over pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Proverbs 12:15 says "Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others. Proverbs 13:10 says "...those who take … [Read more...]
Micromanagement vs Undermanagement
As leaders, we can't be so afraid of micromanaging that we become guilty of undermanaging. In short, undermanagement is worse than micromanagement. In It's Ok To Be The Boss Bruce Tulgan points out the dangers of undermanagement. When you undermanage: Fires get started that never would have happened Fires get out of control that could have been put out easily Resources are squandered People go in the wrong direction for days or weeks on end before anybody notices Low performers hide out … [Read more...]
Help People See The Larger Picture
It's hard to have volunteers serve willingly and with a good attitude if you don't help them see the larger picture. When they're arriving at early on Sunday morning to set up for church, they're not just setting up equipment...they're preparing for lives to be changed. When they volunteer in the kids ministry, they're not just babysitting kids...they're introducing kids to Jesus (some for the first time)! It's easy for our volunteers to focus on WHAT THEY'RE DOING instead of WHAT IS RESULTING … [Read more...]
The Big Ask
If you are going to be successful in church planting, you can't be afraid to make what I call "the big ask" of people. That is, you can't be afraid to ask people to make huge sacrifices and join what you're doing. One of my favorite "big ask" examples comes from Acts 16:1-5. "Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy...Timothy was well thought of by the believers...so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the … [Read more...]
Handwritten Thank You Notes
When someone writes a check or makes a donation that hits or exceeds $1,000 I always write a handwritten thank you note. I always have custom New Day thank you cards ready in my drawer for just such occasions. Someone recently sent a check in for $4,000. Here's what I wrote in the note I sent them: Thank you so much for your recent gift of $4,000. We are launching a new tween ministry and this money will really help with the associated start up costs. So far in the first half of 2014 (compared … [Read more...]
How to Make Purchases
Back in 2008, in preparation for our very first service, there were lots and lots of purchases to make. I was crippled by how many choices I had. For example, not only were there a hundred different kinds of speakers to choose from, but each brand then had about ten different tiers of speakers. I shared this problem with a pastor named Dave Highlander and he shared with me this purchasing principle: Quality, not extravagance. I found this so helpful! I would go to Guitar Center (or wherever) … [Read more...]
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