A bias is typically thought of as an unreasoned or prejudicial perspective or judgement. Some biases are innocent, but most often bias is used to describe a situation where we oppose someone, some group, some belief, or something unfairly because we allow personal opinions to influence our judgement. Biases can be innate or learned and popular examples include self-serving bias, status quo... Continue Reading
On Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 many of us watched in unbelief as gun-toting United States citizens donned helmets and assaulted the Capitol and threatened the lives of members of Congress, the police, and the press. Immediately the finger pointing began…..at the other side, at Trump, at politicians and political parties, at lies, at unfounded conspiracies. Such finger-pointing and scapegoating is... Continue Reading
In his book, The Art of Listening, influential philosopher and psychologist Erich Fromm (March 23, 1900–March 18, 1980) details the techniques, dynamics, and mindsets that make for an optimal listening relationship, in therapy and in life. “Listening,” Fromm argues “is an art like the understanding of poetry” and, like any art, has its own rules and norms. Drawing on his half-century practice as a therapist,... Continue Reading
I believe the intent of Reconciliation as taught in the Christian Church is to be restorative —returning the individual to God, and if necessary, to a right relationship to their community, their world, and to their truest and best selves. “Confessing” what we have done wrong is an important first step, but true repair and restoration take much more than... Continue Reading
Lately there’s been a lot of talk about which approaches we should use to address problematic behavior and oppressive systems and beliefs in our churches, schools, institutions, government, and especially in our online communities – and two options people have come up with are calling in and calling out. Let’s take a look at each approach and how they can... Continue Reading
We’ve just completed back-to-back political conventions and the election is a little more than two months from now and religion and politics has emerged as a hot topic for both Democrats and Republicans. It appears there are two primary forms of expression being use by political parties regarding religion and politics: first, seeing religion as faith in God, love of... Continue Reading
I respect people who enlighten and broaden my thinking on a given subject. I admire people who are ahead of me or at a different stage than I am and are willing to take the risk to challenge my current constructs and paradigms. I don’t always totally agree or buy what they say lock, stock and barrel, but retrospectively I... Continue Reading
Have you noticed how much more disagreeing is going on now with the pervasiveness of the internet and the increased use of social media? It used to be that writers wrote and readers read. Now, the internet allows readers to respond with their own perspectives, and it seems that most who do, comment on something they disagree with. This has... Continue Reading
In the article What Does It Mean To Be Open Minded? we examined the definition and characteristics of open-mindedness. In this article we take a look at the benefits and steps you can take to become more open-minded. First, what are some of the benefits of being more open-minded? Gaining Insight: Challenging your existing beliefs and considering how new ideas... Continue Reading
As my wife and I have aged, we have consistently observed that as people grow older they either become more open or more closed, more flexible or more rigid, looser or tighter, broader or narrower. Simply put, people continue to learn, grow, and cultivate new experiences or they become stuck or even regress. We have also observed that our culture... Continue Reading
In these urgent times, the Christian Church cannot keep avoiding what Jesus actually emphasized and mandated. Practical, practice-based Christianity can no longer be ignored by Christians who were never told Christianity was anything more than a denominational belonging or belief system. The stakes are too great. “It is the very love of Christ that now compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14).... Continue Reading
Every leader has experienced it….the end run game. One of their direct reports takes them out of the loop and heads straight to the next level leader or peer. From experience as a Church Executive Pastor I can tell you this is a regular occurrence in churches, and a real organizational challenge to navigate. In football, an end run is... 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