by Grady King Several years ago, I was on a plane reading They Smell Like Sheep in preparation for some time with elders. I noticed the man sitting next to me looking at the title. He said, “Excuse me, I did not know Lynn Anderson wrote about sheep. I thought she was a country […]
Archive for Grady King
Authors : Grady King
Tags : Servant Leadership
by Grady D. King, D. Min Okay. Admit it. Change is okay if you are in favor of the change. Then reality hits as people react. Navigating change in a congregation requires a thoughtful, compassionate approach. Change often brings uncertainty and anxiety, but with intentionality and care, leaders can manage change well. Of course, […]
Authors : Grady King
Tags : Adaptability, leadership
By Grady King There is a tendency to think that your congregation is the only one going through some challenging things. This sense of isolation opens the door for discouragement, even feeling overwhelmed. If you identify with these feelings, you are not alone. We, in HOPE Network (HN) lead with listening as we engage […]
Authors : Grady King
The language of trauma has become a part of our general consciousness, but the church has been slower to engage in the questions and challenges that are raised by our increasing awareness of how trauma shapes and misshapes both people and communities. As a theologian who works centers around these questions these are ten (though […]
Authors : Grady King
By Grady King I am not boasting. I spend a great deal of time listening to church leaders—of providing encouragement, admonishment, and at times, rebuke. The list of church leaders who are in pain, weary, or experiencing some form of discouragement is growing. Some of them simply need rest. Others need to resign. And still, […]
Authors : Grady King
by Grady D. King, D.Min Most leaders and congregations know the term “normal” means the future will not be like the past. What it looks like in terms of people in the pew, programs, and mission is uncertain. The loss of regular attendees is a pandemic reality. Empty pews translate to anxiety. If we only […]
Authors : General, Grady King
Grady D. King, D. Min grady@hopenetworkministries.org The call went something like this. Church Leader: “Could you help us find a minister?” Me: Tell me about your church. Church Leader: “We have some good people. We just need the right minister.” Me: Why would a minister with the characteristics you describe want to come? Sounds […]
Authors : General, Grady King
by Grady King: Being a church leader is a high calling with great demands often punctuated with loneliness, self-doubt, and unrealistic expectations. Many leaders do not sleep well or experience sabbath. And it is not merely because of the present pandemic. Before COVID, the realities of an aging church demographic, a post-Christian culture, gender inclusion, […]
Authors : Grady King
by Grady King: The following is in light of 15-20 hours of conversations, emails, texts, and video conferences with church leaders this past week—male and female. Without exception, lack of spiritual leadership, vision, courage, and poor processes are common topics. I am blessed to serve in HOPE Network listening, praying, encouraging, mentoring, guiding, sharing resources, […]
Authors : Grady King
by Grady King Congratulations! You have worked hard. You have done your share of late-night papers, projects and assignments. And, you have endured. Now what? No matter the path your take from here, church ministry, missions, Bible translation or The Academy, hold on to Christ, no matter what. Your vocation—your calling is to be IN […]
Authors : Grady King
Tags : ministers, new minister
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