I remember well my mother consistently warning me to remember “you are who you are with.” It was her way of saying that we tend to take on the same attributes as our friends, so we better choose our friends wisely. My mother knew that few adolescents have the strength of character, discipline, will or conviction to withstand peer pressure,... Continue Reading
Recently I read a Facebook post from a well-known church leader explaining to his followers the multiple moves he had made in recent years. One of those moves involved serving a church for a year before resigning. His explanation? “I’m a change-agent leader. That didn’t sit well with a very established and process driven church. I was frustrated as much... Continue Reading
Recently we wrote about The Power of Abundance Mentality and The Power of Scarcity Mentality. In this article we will examine the power of a minimum allocation of resources. The Minimum Allocation of Resources Principle is an approach to resource management that every effective and efficient manager understands. The principle suggests that the minimum number of resources that are required... Continue Reading
In the article, The Power of Abundance Mentality, we examined how an abundance mindset is a prerequisite for visionary leadership. In this article we will look at how a scarcity mindset is an essential trait of effective and efficient management. Scarcity mentality is the opposite of an abundance mentality. Scarcity is typically viewed as a negative trait. It is associated... Continue Reading
In our last article, we showed how the Stone Soup Fable offers a contrast between abundance and scarcity mentality. In this and coming articles we will explore the difference between abundance and scarcity mentality and how they both are necessary mindsets for leaders and managers. We will show how abundance mentality is a powerful attribute for effective leadership. Without it... Continue Reading
There are many variations on the Stone Soup Fable, but they all involve a kindly traveler coming into a town beset by severe famine. The inhabitants try to discourage the traveler from staying, fearing he wants them to give him food. They emphatically tell him that there’s no food anywhere to be found and that he should be moving on.... Continue Reading
In the movie Regarding Henry the Harrison Ford character is a successful attorney in a prominent New York law firm. Tragically he is shot in an armed robbery leaving him unable to talk or walk. After months of physical therapy, he returns to work and his colleagues don’t know how to relate to him when his cognitive and physical limitations... Continue Reading
Often our best leadership lessons come from bad leaders rather than good leaders. Such is the case with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Recent news reports have speculated that he has surrounded himself with yes men and thus is not receiving accurate information on the war in Ukraine, its impact on the Russian people, and the worldwide reaction. What are yes... Continue Reading
One of the most difficult questions that almost all church leaders face at one time or another is whether to stay in their current position or leave. Beyond fervent prayer and sensing a clear understanding of God’s will, we look for concrete signs to provide guidance. But what are those signs? They can differ for each person and each circumstance... Continue Reading
I recently read of an accomplished violinist who conducted his own informal social experiment. He began by playing for 45 minutes on the New York subway leaving his violin case open for donations. During that time four people stopped to listen and one clapped and he managed to raise 20 dollars. The following night the same violinist played to a... Continue Reading
It isn’t easy to set boundaries with people who you find toxic, unhealthy and personally harmful. It’s even more difficult to set boundaries for people who routinely plow through the boundaries you set. Yet these types of people are in the lives of every church leader and when you do set effective boundaries it can make a huge difference in... Continue Reading
In our previous articles, Understanding Healthy Boundaries and Four Types of Personal Boundaries Every Church Leader Needs to Build, we talked about how strong personal boundaries are necessary to protect our time, energy, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. As ministers we consistently put other people’s needs before our own. And in the process, we sacrifice our right to safety, respect... 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