As a kid, I loved playing Whac-A-Mole at the arcade (yes, I was a child of the 80s). In this game, moles pop up randomly out of various holes in the ground, and you have to smash them on the head with a mallet before they go back underground. The longer you play, the faster and more frequently they pop up, which makes the game as challenging as it is fun. For the purpose of this post, let's let the moles represent problems that pop up in our leadership. When problems rear their ugly head, … [Read more...]
Avoiding Misunderstandings in Your Preaching
I recently finished Timothy Keller's biography, written by Collin Hansen. In the bonus material was a lesson taught by missionary Elizabeth Elliot. She said "The speaker has three speeches: 1) The one he prepares, 2) the one he actually delivers and 3) the one his audience thinks it heard. And there's not necessarily any relationship between them." I got a real kick out of hearing her say this. It's not just funny, it's true! It's unfortunate, but what we say is not always what people hear! … [Read more...]
Principles and People
As a supervisor you have to care about principles and people. It's imperative that you find an appropriate balance between caring about principles and people. Historically I've tended to lean towards caring more about principles than people, but have found a healthier balance by learning to ask three important questions anytime someone fails to live up to one of my principles. If the quarterly stats for the church are good and the quarterly stats for that person's department … [Read more...]
Setting the Example: Conduct
The apostle Paul instructed a young pastor named Timothy “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV This is the same instruction the apostle Peter gave. Addressing pastors he wrote “As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t … [Read more...]
How to Develop Strong Culture
In Reed Hasting's No Rules Rules he defines culture as a group's particular way of life. I like that definition and in this post want to answer the question: How do I develop my group's particular way of life? … [Read more...]
Say It Over And Over And Over
Former president Richard Nixon, in a speech to the National Press Club in 1972 said "When I say something so much that I am tired of hearing it my staff has heard it for the first time. When my staff is tired of saying something over again the press is hearing it for the first time. When the press is tired of saying something the public is hearing it for the first time." I love this quote because it reminds me of how important it is repeat (often) whatever it is that's important for my staff … [Read more...]
Setting the Example: Speech
The apostle Paul instructed a young pastor named Timothy “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV This is the same instruction the apostle Peter gave. Addressing pastors he wrote “As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. … [Read more...]
Your First Three Hires
When starting a new church or starting another location, aim to fill the following three positions before any others: It's the experience people have on Sunday that causes a church to grow and these three positions, more than any others, impact the experience your guests have each Sunday, so they should be the priority. It's like this... If you visit a new restaurant and the exterior looks run down, no one greets you at the door, it takes a long time to be seated, the waitress is rude … [Read more...]
Before Appointing a Team Lead
The directional leadership team just got back from one of our quarterly off-sites and at the off-site we identified a number of characteristics we're looking for in a Team Lead. I'm now taking that list and sharing it in a way that will help you (the New Day staff) know what to look for and consider before appointing a volunteer to the role of Team Lead. Befoe we dive in, let me remind you: At most churches staff spend 2% of their time on recruitment and 75% of their time dealing with their … [Read more...]
Limiting Factors of Growth
When growth plateaus pastors start asking why. Has God rejected me like Saul? Is He out looking for a "David" to replace me? Have I taken the church as far as I can go? Has it outgrown my ability to lead it? Does someone else need to come and take the helm? Is there sin in the camp that has blocked God's blessing? Is it mine? Is it one of the staff? Why can't we grow anymore!!?? While it's possible you aren't growing for one of the above reasons, it's not probable. Usually growth is hindered … [Read more...]
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