Many ministers I know wrestle with the difficulty of trying to live a life of transformation and intimacy with God they read about in their Bibles. Most of us long for a deeper inner spiritual life yet regularly experience Dallas Willard’s observation “the greatest enemy of intimacy with God, is service for God.” Ministry by definition is depleting. Without constant... Continue Reading
Dualistic thinking, or the ego operating system, as Cynthia Bourgeault calls it, is our way of reading reality from the position of my private ego. “What’s in it for me?” “How will I look if I do this?” This is the preferred way of seeing reality for most of us. Richard Rohr calls it either/or thinking. It knows reality by... Continue Reading
Every church leader exercises power, or the ability to influence others to take action. When we misuse that power we hurt people and create organizational dysfunction. Virtually every church I know bears scars of hurt due to a failure of leaders to wisely steward power. Regretfully, I am no exception. Because for too long I failed to understand two important... Continue Reading
In the posts “Leadership Versus Management: What is the Difference” and “Management and Leadership – The Church Needs Both,” we examined the definitions and differences between management and leadership and the necessity of both in healthy churches. Leadership and management are binary, a whole composed of two, yet you’re typically doing one or the other. Therefore, the greatest challenge for a church... Continue Reading
I get asked often about the differences between managers and leaders. I always start the answer with my belief that leadership and management complement each other, and both skills are necessary if the church is to survive. A church that is well-led will not do well without effective management; similarly a church that is well-managed will also not do well... Continue Reading
Our shadow self is any part of ourselves that we try to hide or deny because it seems socially or biblically unacceptable. One definition is that The shadow self is not of itself evil; it just allows you to do evil without recognizing it as evil! Jesus’ phrase for our shadow is “the log in your own eye,” which you instead... Continue Reading
The church, like any organization, is not immune to conflict and disagreement. Regretfully, church members practice many unhealthy methods for dealing with conflicts, grievances and disagreements. These include but are not limited to, parking lot and hallway meetings, complaining to others, hearsay gossip, passive aggressive behavior, verbal personal attacks, withdrawal and isolation. Ken Sande, president and founder of Peacemaker Ministries,... 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
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
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