by Tim Woodroof The Opportunity As uncomfortable as a ministerial transition can be for a church, the opportunities that open up are exciting. Stable churches are comfortable churches. They don’t reinvent themselves. They don’t “rock the boat.” They don’t ask unnecessary questions. The status quo is protected, even venerated. But churches in transition don’t have […]
Archive for Leadership Encouragement – Page 6
From Isolation to Community by Bob Clark “It’s the other people in our lives who offer the best opportunities to overcome instinctive, deep-rooted sin.” — Frederica Mathewes-Green Moving from isolation to community is the second part of a life-giving holy rhythm that can feed a church leader’s soul. By community I mean church leaders opening […]
Authors : Bob Clark
From Busyness to Solitude By Bob Clark “The best thing a person can bring to leadership is his or her own transforming self.” — Ruth Haley Barton Moving from busyness to solitude is the first part of a life-giving holy rhythm that can feed a church leader’s soul. By solitude I mean withdrawing from the […]
Authors : Bob Clark
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 […]
Authors : Bob Clark
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 […]
Authors : Grady King
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, […]
Authors : Grady King
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 […]
Authors : Grady King
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 […]
Authors : Tim Woodroof
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 […]
Authors : Tim Woodroof
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 […]
Authors : Tim Woodroof
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