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
Do you leave staff or leadership meetings uncertain of what was decided? Do you find it awkward when it comes time for everyone to weigh in on a matter? Are you at a loss on how to land decisions when there are differing opinions? Then you are not alone. Anyone who has ever facilitated a meeting of opinionated and passionate... Continue Reading
One of the most challenging yet essential responsibilities of ministers is to monitor their spiritual health. I have found this assessment developed by my good friend and mentor Keith Meyer, author of “Whole Life Transformation…….Becoming the Change Your Church Needs,” can help discern the status of your gauges by answering each question with a green (consistently), yellow (frequently), orange (infrequently), or red (seldom... Continue Reading
Those words profoundly changed my understanding of what affluent church members consider before allocating their dollars to the church, charities and non-profit organizations. It was a response to a question I posed many years ago to a good friend who happened to also be one of our church’s largest donors as well as key leaders. I had noticed in the... Continue Reading
Do you ever wonder how to appeal to your financial leaders? Here’s a story that provided me insights into a key pre-requisite for receiving gifts from high capacity donors. Annually our church gathers the top 100 financial leaders at a NEXT dinner where we share vision and strategy updates and offer appreciation for their support. At one of our NEXT dinners I... Continue Reading
The well known Zig Ziglar quote, ‘if you aim at nothing you will be sure to hit it every time’ speaks to the importance of setting measureable goals. Goals that can’t be measured are of little value if you desire to know whether or not you are hitting the mark. Regretfully, most people who do set goals, do so incorrectly... Continue Reading
Shaping church culture is one of the most demanding, illusive and yet vital responsibilities of church leaders. A healthy church culture is essential to being the missional, multiplying, discipling, reaching and transforming force that God intended. Having an intentional process for elevating core organizational and biblical values is one proven approach to building a healthy church culture. What Are... Continue Reading
As you depart many churches today there are signs indicating “You are Now Entering the Mission Field.” The signs are there to remind attenders that missions is not just overseas but also where they live, work and play. At the gate to Christ in the Desert Monastery in Northern New Mexico there is a hand crafted metal sculpture that reads simply... Continue Reading
“Good is the enemy of great” is the first sentence of Jim Collins’ business best seller, Good to Great. Collins goes on to say, “and that is one of the reasons that we have so little that becomes great.” “We don’t have great schools, principally because we have good schools. We don’t have great government, principally because we have good... 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