Every church leader, lay or volunteer, is full of experiences, information and skills accumulated over a lifetime in ministry and/or business. We use our storehouse of experiences, information and skills to solve problems and make decisions. The net result is that we each have developed a set of “answers” to the various problems we have encountered over our lifetime. And,... Continue Reading
5W1H represents a list of fundamental questions, What? Why? Who? Where? When? and How?, whose answers are considered basic in information-gathering, analysis, problem-solving, communication and decision making. They are often mentioned in journalism, police investigations, brain-storming exercises and research projects as they constitute a formula for providing a complete overview of an idea, subject or topic you want to understand.... Continue Reading
Suppose I wake up one morning with a crick in my neck that won’t go away. I go to my family physician and he prescribes for me pain pills to alleviate my pain. But, the next day I wake up with my crick worse than the day before so I go to my chiropractor who gives me an adjustment and... Continue Reading
It has been said that “peace of mind” is an oxymoron…….that if you are “in your mind” there is no way you can be “at peace.” The truth is that a consistent peace of mind is illusive for most of us, yet one that scriptures promise is abundantly available to us. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,... Continue Reading
Most of us are inclined to mostly use only one side of our brain. Our thought processes are either predominately creative, intuitive and abstract (right brain), or logical, rational and concrete (left brain). This is true in our work as well as our spiritual life. To engage both the right and left sides of our brains requires concentration, focus and intentionality.... Continue Reading
Joseph F. Schmidt, noted lecturer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and author of “Praying Our Experiences,” “Praying with Thérèse of Lisieux,” and “Everything Is Grace,” shares this paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, the Love Chapter (original author unknown). I invite you to read these statements as a spiritual exercise and see yourself in them and open yourself to being love. Opening to... Continue Reading
In their widely read book, Fresh Encounter, Henry Blackaby and Claude King, challenge church leaders to be shepherds of the people they serve. They suggest several passages of scriptures to use as “plumb lines” for shepherds of God’s people. Below are selected passages and questions Blackaby and King provide to help you evaluate how God views your work as a... Continue Reading
Known by various names, including Pareto’s Law, Pareto’s Principle, The 80/20 Rule, and The Law of Disproportionate Distribution, the 80/20 Rule is a powerful and simple tool for analyzing and optimizing choices involving distribution of any kind. By the numbers it means that 80 percent of your outcomes come from 20 percent of your inputs. The concept is especially useful... Continue Reading
Ministry by definition is depleting. We walk down the halls of our church and feel as if people are sticking vacuum hoses into us. Without intentional extended times for renewal, ministers implode as the pressure on the outside exceeds the structure on the inside to sustain spiritual and emotional health. Taking a one or multi-day personal spiritual retreat on a regular basis... Continue Reading
I have always found it helpful to think in terms of “buckets” to unlock and stimulate my thinking. Considering potential buckets before engaging in brainstorming also ensures that I am thinking comprehensively and big picture about a subject, opportunity, decision, challenge or agenda. Nowhere has “brain freeze” been more prevalent for me over the years than in developing an agenda... Continue Reading
The suffix “ate” is of Latin origin typically meaning “possessing the characteristics of or denoting a certain function.” A comprehensive plan for communicating your church’s Strategic Plan must possess certain characteristics and functions. Below are 30 functions and characteristics of a successful plan for communicating to the congregation the church’s Strategic Plan. Include answers to the following questions in your... Continue Reading
“Inculcate” is defined as instilling an idea, attitude, habit or value into a culture or organization through persistent instruction. Therefore, if you want to weave a message of importance into the fabric of your church culture you must be intentional in words and actions. There is no silver bullet for imbedding a message into a church culture, but rather requires... 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