Empowerment is a commonly used buzzword. Everyone is for it but find it difficult to achieve. In his thought provoking book, Deep Change, Robert Quinn defines two opposite orientations to empowerment in most organizations. Mechanistic – Starts at the top and involves clarity, delegation, control and accountability Organic – Starts with the individual and involves initiative, risk, growth and teamwork... Continue Reading
Change is a word that strikes fear in the hearts of most ministry leaders. They have personally experienced or know of a peer that has experienced the pain and disappointment of well-intentioned change. Change is never easy in any organization yet in churches the difficulty and complexity of change seems to go up exponentially. It is understandable that many ministry... Continue Reading
Our last post examined “An 8 Step Biblical Process for Leading Change in the Church” found in Acts 15. Another resource for church leaders to consider is the now-legendary eight-step organizational change process found in John Kotter’s groundbreaking book, Leading Change. By outlining the process organizations use to effectively lead change and identifying where they are prone to derail... Continue Reading
The heart of leading change in the church is listening – to God and others. When the Apostles were leading the New Testament believers in Acts 15 to question their belief that Gentiles must be circumcised to be saved they couldn’t rely just on their ability to think strategically. So they first listened, and then responded to what they heard. Eight Step Biblical... Continue Reading
Anecdotal evidence suggests nearly half of the hires in most churches prove to be less than a perfect fit. This shouldn’t be surprising in light of the fact Ministers are usually not formally trained in how to conduct an interview. Successful hiring goes beyond just being a “good judge of people.” Among other things, it involves a plan built around... Continue Reading
My pastor, Dr. Mike Glenn likes to say, “There is a reason Baskin Robbins has 31 different flavors.” His point is that God has purposefully designed each church distinctive and unique from any church that ever has or ever will exist. With that unique design comes a calling and a set of ministry assignments that are distinctive. Just as an individual... Continue Reading
A plumb line is a simple but accurate tool used for determining whether or not something is perfectly vertical or upright. Used since ancient times, a plumb line consists of a line and weight of some sort, usually a stone or piece of lead. References to the use of a plumb line in the Holy Scriptures are usually that of... Continue Reading
In a recent blog post Brentwood Baptist Church Senior Pastor, Mike Glenn, and Executive Pastor, Jim Baker, shared their thoughts on their differences and how by valuing their right brain left brain differences they can have a much bigger Kingdom impact. Mike Glenn, Senior Pastor You don’t have to know me long to know that I’m not real good at... Continue Reading
I’ve got to get our here, this meeting is a waste. I’ve got better things to do with my time! How often have you found yourself saying something similar? Bad meetings not only waste time but they drain our passion and enthusiasm for ministry. Even worse, ineffective meetings result in lack of action, poorly analyzed decisions and misuse of precious... Continue Reading
Policemen, firemen, air traffic controllers, emergency room personnel and the military teach us the importance of a common language to mitigate confusion. These professions are in “life and death” jobs where their decisions can literally mean the difference between life and death. Any miscommunication can have disastrous results. Church leaders are in a “life and death” vocation as well. The... Continue Reading
Do you have a “brain freeze” when you sit down to write your annual ministry goals? Staring at a blank piece of paper wondering where to start is a common and daunting experience for most of us. Admittedly, much of what we do in life and in ministry is difficult to quantify apart from anecdotal evidence. But, often we simply... Continue Reading
“Failing to plan is planning to fail” is a well known maxim I can relate to. I don’t know about you but in the press of the demands of life and work I am tempted to neglect planning, often to my detriment and the detriment of others. So, from time to time I need to be encouraged to take... 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