leadership

  • Difficult Sheep need a Strong Shepherd

    “Lord! Why have I not found favor in your eyes, that you make me responsible for these people?” Many of us pastors have uttered similar words to these. It may be: “Lord, why did you call me to this church?”… Continue reading

    Difficult Sheep need a Strong Shepherd
  • Is the grass greener?

                    When I was in the Army, we used to say, “The best post is the one you just left or the one you are going to. The worst is the one you are at.” This is a form of… Continue reading

    Is the grass greener?
  • Church DNA and Change

    Years ago, my son took a DNA test to research his ancestry. He shared the interesting results. They said that he was half-Japanese. That shocked his mother because she is Korean—and quite sure he is hers. Not long after, they… Continue reading

    Church DNA and Change
  • Not all Advice is Helpful

    Much of the practical advice given to churches and pastors doesn’t fit the dynamics of small church ministry. Of course, there are exceptions. Some authors lead small churches, offer great advice, and even write good books. But many times, those… Continue reading

    Not all Advice is Helpful
  • The Warrior Shepherd

    When I was a kid, one of my favorite cartoons was that of Sam Sheepdog and Ralph Wolf. Ralph Wolf was always trying to get the sheep, and Sam always foiled his plans—despite the fur over his eyes. I suppose… Continue reading

    The Warrior Shepherd
  • Pastor, how are you doing?

    As a young man—and even not so young—dark humor was a tool to compensate for a world we could not control. I served years as a Paratrooper, Infantryman, and Law Enforcement. In that world, we made jokes that civilians seldom… Continue reading

    Pastor, how are you doing?
  • How do you spell Success?

    Are you old enough to remember the old ad asking, “How do you spell relief?” In the ad, the answer given was “R-O-L-A-I-D-S.” It was an ad for Rolaids™. Like all such ads, the claim was that this product would… Continue reading

    How do you spell Success?