by Scott Laird I heard the phrase “cut flower culture” years ago and its image still resonates. Cut flowers are beautiful, they smell good, provide color to our homes, and sometimes get a husband out of trouble. The problem is cut flowers are separated off from their roots and life itself. Many of the roots […]
Author Archive for Beth Hadley
by Lynn Anderson Ted moves like an athlete and looks like one too. He is usually confident and assertive. But today, sitting in front of the counselor he seems different. Ted is a new Christian and the father of sons four and seven and he has hit a wall. “I don’t really know what a […]
Authors : Lynn Anderson
Tags : Mentoring
by Lynn Anderson A friend tells me that a visitor to his church remarked after a couple of encounters with Jake, “So you say that guy Jake has been pretty visible in your church for a long time? Here every time the doors are opened? A deacon! Well, if Jake is an example of what […]
Authors : General, Lynn Anderson
Tags : Mentoring
by Lynn Anderson What steps begin to move elders from the boardroom to the pasture, from managers to shepherds, from control to empowerment? 1. Learn shepherding skills Before attempting to shift structures, the leaders must actually be shepherding people. As one friend put it, “I am not going to let anyone make an elder out […]
Authors : Lynn Anderson
Tags : Shepherds/Elders
by Lynn Anderson It was a Kodak moment. Bill’s silver hair and frail figure evidenced his nearly 80 years, but his face glowed with obvious affection for Mike. Mike, 20-something, tough, athletic—and months into a recovery program— stood beside Bill in the baptistery. As Bill spoke soft, clear words, Mike nod- ded slightly. The whole congregation […]
Authors : Lynn Anderson
Tags : Shepherds/Elders
by Chris Goldman A Story: A youth minister called. He was at the end of his rope! His church was falling apart. The preacher had been fired, the elders were fighting, members were fleeing and he felt a responsibility to “put Humpty Dumpty back together again.” The counselor inside me wanted to put him […]
Authors : Chris Goldman
Tags : Mentoring
by Doug Peters The New Testament uses a variety of terms to describe those that carry out roles and functions of leadership and ministry in the earliest church. Many read the various texts with an eye toward an “Organizational Chart” often found in business, government or the military, and emphasize authority and position. Viewed purely through […]
Authors : Doug Peters
by Doug Peters The premise of this series suggests that leadership groups of elders and ministers do well to proactively establish some Useful Understandings for their ministry together. The interim season is an excellent opportunity to ask some important questions in several categories and develop some “ground rules” for leadership teams. It should be noted that all […]
Authors : Doug Peters
by Doug Peters How will your church leadership lead? Will their ministry of leadership be Proactive or Reactive? Intentional or Indiscriminate? Consistent or Chaotic? And what can you do to increase the likelihood of preferred outcomes? Church leadership teams, such as elder/minister groups, greatly benefit from the discipline of asking good questions about how they will serve together. These Useful Understandings bring several practical, systemic and […]
Authors : Doug Peters
by Doug Peters “Leadership in a non-profit, largely volunteer, faith-based organization is the toughest kind of leadership!” That sentiment was clear as I was privileged to gather with several great Christ-following leaders. They are the captains of industry and directors of business. And they are also leaders in their churches. They are CEOs, CFOs, Presidents, Entrepreneurs, […]
Authors : Doug Peters
Tags : Church Governance, Leadership Coaching
COPYRIGHT © HOPE NETWORK MINISTRIES