Following World War II, English historian, C. Northcote Parkinson wrote a well-known book, Parkinson’s Law: The Pursuit of Progress, where he ridiculed the excesses of government bureaucracy. Parkinson cited as an example the 5,000 employees supporting 5,000 English Navy vessels during the war and the same number of employees supporting only 500 vessels following the war. Parkinson’s “Laws,” though satirical,... Continue Reading
The staffing structures of many Southern Baptist Churches has been influenced by the philosophy of W.A. Criswell, Pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas (1944-1991). Dr. Criswell was known to employee numerous Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary students and graduates to oversee very narrow and specific age demographics. Criswell was said to have set recruitment goals for church staff based upon... Continue Reading
Much is being written about the evidence that leaner church staffs result in increased numbers of volunteers. For some it appears the verdict is in and they are prepared to declare unequivocally that too many staff negatively impacts volunteerism. My problem with this assumption, besides my own experience to the contrary, is summed up in the “post hoc, ergo propter... Continue Reading
In last week’s post, Where Are You On The Leader Engagement Continuum?, we looked at the symptoms of too much, too little, too early, and too late leader engagement with subordinates. This week we examine the causes of ineffective leader engagement and the behaviors that lead to appropriate and timely leader engagement with those they supervise and lead. Causes of... Continue Reading
One of a church leader’s continual challenges is knowing when and how much to engage with their employees, volunteers, or teams. Leader engagement is the face to face or transmitted interactions and involvement with those they lead, and falls on a continuum from low to high, and from too early to too late. Much like the concept of situational leadership,... Continue Reading
For many of the years I served as Executive Pastor at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, TN we were in some type of building program. This meant I spent countless hours in the City Manager’s Office preparing for various presentations before the Zoning Commission, City Planning Commission, and City Council. During one such meeting the City Manager interrupted our conversation... Continue Reading
In the late 1800’s Russell Conwell became famous for his lecture in which he encouraged listeners to find the “acres of diamonds” in their own backyards. Conwell was a Baptist minister, the first president of Temple University, and a captain during the Civil War. At the ten year reunion of his troops, he delivered the Acres of Diamonds speech. Thereafter,... Continue Reading
Below are the second five of the Top 10 Sacred Structures posts for 2017. Enjoy! Don’t Mistake Church Climate for Church Culture Church Culture As Community, Cause, And Corporation 25 Questions Every Pastor Search Committee Should Ask A Self-Development Structure In Hebrew Scripture 15 Approaches To Reach The Next Generations
Below are links to the first five of the Top 10 most popular Sacred Structures posts for 2017. Check in next week for the second five. Enjoy! ME Power and WE Power: Two Sources of Power in the Church My Greatest Leadership Lesson: I Am The Problem Your Inner Spiritual Life How To Respond To Everyone’s Saying Transform Your Church... Continue Reading
One of the most helpful ways I’ve learned to pray is to listen, read, and observe the prayers of saints who walked with God. One such example is Moses in the book of Exodus. Moses faced similar challenges to today’s church leaders and I have found five aspects of his prayer in Exodus 33 an excellent outline for my own... Continue Reading
This is a painful period in our country’s cultural history. Allegations of sexual misconduct have repeatedly surfaced in the media and been in the center of public discourse for months. It is hitting every part of our culture—media, entertainment, business, politics, journalism….and yes, even in our churches. And stories continue to surface of cover ups, retribution, and fear of retaliation... Continue Reading
“O Jesus, let us spread Your fragrance everywhere we go. Let us preach You without preaching, not by words but by our example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what we do, the evident fullness of the love our hearts bear to You. Amen” — Prayer of Cardinal John Henry Newman It has been said that much of... 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