My ministry peers frequently joked that I had the spiritual gift of “Overwhelming.” This was a kind way of saying that at times I could overwhelm them with information, data, and documents. The 21st Century reality is that we all have people, circumstances, and responsibilities in our lives that conspire to overwhelm us. What is being overwhelmed exactly? For most... Continue Reading
In his book, How Full Is Your Bucket?, bestselling author, Don Clifton, shares a story about the perverse and devastating effects of negativity. Following the Korean War, 1000 American prisoners of war were examined to determine the cause of the 38% death rate in North Korean POW Camps, the highest rate in U.S. military history. Surprisingly, they found the camps... Continue Reading
The beginning of a new year is a natural time to hit pause and reflect on what you discovered, learned, and experienced during the previous year, as well as prayerfully consider changes and goals for the coming year. For me, this annual exercise centers around discerning how I can continue to be my best, most authentic, and truest self in... Continue Reading
Below are links to the second five of the Top 10 most popular Sacred Structures posts for 2018. Happy New Year! 6. The Sabbath Diamond – How To Observe The Sabbath When Sunday Is A Work Day 7. The Development Diamond – Four Ways To Develop Your Church’s Staff 8. Every Church Needs A Pastor Interpreter 9. How Mighty Churches... Continue Reading
Below are links to the first five of the Top 10 most popular Sacred Structures posts for 2018. Check in next week for the second five. Merry Christmas! The Church Can Be A Wicked Temptress Church Staffing Levels – Getting It Right 10 Guiding Principles For Church Staff Restructuring 6 Practical Ways To Help Poor Performing Staff Church Staff: Is... Continue Reading
Have you ever read a book, blog, or article and related to virtually everything the author said, or thought this guy is really inside my head? Have you ever read a quote and said, “I wish I had said that!” Recently, that was my experience when reading Tim Steven’s blog. Tim is the former Executive Pastor at Granger Community Church... Continue Reading
Today’s churches are so metric, goal, and results focused in the evaluation of staff and volunteer performance that giving, receiving, and soliciting valuable feedback has become a lost art. Yet, study after study shows that learning is highly dependent upon proper feedback. So, what is the most effective method of providing feedback that is both constructive and actionable? I have... Continue Reading
Periodic reviews and year end evaluations and feedback can be a nerve-wracking time of year. For church staff and their supervisors alike, knowing a performance evaluation is ahead can sometimes bring self-doubt and general uncertainty and anxiety. Yet, it is from these seeds of discomfort that growth occurs. One of my favorite tools in my supervisory tool belt is Dr.... Continue Reading
Recently an Executive Pastor of a large and growing church asked for my counsel on a perplexing organizational issue…..the working relationship tensions between ministry and support staff. As this is a fairly typical issue in large multi-department churches with specialized staff in ministry and support roles, I thought it would be helpful to post my responses to his specific questions.... Continue Reading
Recently, after a long slow decline in health, my wife and I had to put down our 15 year old Shitz Shu, Francie. Though we had been through this twice before and had been preparing ourselves for this eventuality, we were surprised by the intensity of our grief and sadness. I wondered what God was trying to say to me... Continue Reading
It appears that we have forgotten the nature and definition of Sabbath, though it is a pattern written by God into the very core of our beings. While Sabbath can refer to a single day, as in the Jewish tradition, it can also serve as a larger metaphor for cultivating the qualities, customs, and practices of Sabbath keeping found in... Continue Reading
All cannot use the same kind of spiritual exercises, but one suits this person, and another that. Different devotions are suited also to the seasons, some being best for the festivals, and others for ordinary days. We find some helpful in temptations, others in peace and quietness. Some things we like to consider when we are sad, and others... Continue Reading
Jim is a Church Organizational Leadership and Management Coach, Consultant and Trainer. Throughout his career Jim has demonstrated a passion for showing Pastors and Ministers how to use organizational tools for church and personal growth and health.
More About Jim“For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ.” Colossians 2:5