Archive for Leadership Encouragement – Page 6

Soul Care for Church Leaders (Part 1 of 3)

by Bob Clark “The soul-wreckage among those who work with souls is appalling.”  Eugene Peterson All church leaders need a spiritual root system to provide the nourishment needed to lead the church faithfully and effectively, to live a lifestyle consistent with their profession of faith, and to love God and people as they lead. While there […]

Hope for Weary Leaders: When You Know You Can’t Fix the Church (Part 3)

by Grady King   Debunking the Myths of growing the church, being successful, and the misconception that one size fits all.  Church leaders, particularly in North America, have long depended on the right place and right time for being a growing church. Blame and shame conversations are powerless to give hope. Changing the conversation from blame […]

Hope for Weary Leaders: When You Know You Can’t Fix the Church (Part 2)

by Grady King As I walked walked through the difficult times I discussed in the previous article, I was reminded by some very wise mentors (Lynn Anderson and Charlie Siburt) that my job was not to fix the church, but rather to be a maturing, responsible leader as a non-anxious presence. On more than one occasion, […]

Hope for Weary Leaders: When You Know You Can’t Fix the Church (Part 1)

by Grady King “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.”  2 Corinthians 4:1 I am forever grateful for Lynn Anderson and Charles Siburt’s teaching and spiritual leadership. Both men have been a part of my life by the grace of God for over thirty years. I do not […]

Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times (Part 3): Being a Non-Anxious Presence

by Tim Woodroof “Showing up” may be the first step of effective congregational leadership. But exuding a calm, principled, hopeful demeanor is the “other shoe” that has to fall.[i] In times of crisis, members will be anxious enough for us all. If leaders allow themselves to be infected by such anxiety, if leaders become transmitters of such […]

Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times (Part 2): The Importance of Presence

by Tim Woodroof When it comes to congregational leadership, showing up is half the battle.[i] Leaders should never underestimate the power of simple presence. Most of the time, church members don’t need their leaders to be charismatic, eloquent, brilliant, and wise. They do need their leaders to be there, to be accessible and approachable, to be visible […]

Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times (Part 1)

by Tim Woodroof Peter Steinke’s book—Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What—is a “must read” for church leaders in these difficult days.[i] Every church constantly teeters on the brink of anxiety-inducing events that can tear it apart. A church leader is caught in an affair. A deacon embezzles funds. Theological […]

When Strength Seems Gone

by Carolyn and Lynn Anderson “Whoever serves must do so with the strength that God provides, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ”—1 Peter 4.11. The Strength that God Provides Several summers ago, as Carolyn was leading a group of Pastor’s wives in an interdenominational retreat, she pointed them to […]

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