In my last post, I reviewed the five warning signs of declining church health. Yet, not that long ago I promised to avoid dwelling too much on the negative news regarding the church in North America …

I saw the most amazing thing yesterday. The Kansas City Royals took to the field, and there was nobody at second base. Batter after batter aimed their hit right up the middle. It was a nightmare …

By this time you've heard the read the reports and heard the commentaries. As our nation was wrestling with near record high unemployment levels, incredible mounting deficits and the possibility of a …

I thought of using "will repair, mend, put right, get working, restore, overhaul, renovate, or recondition your ministry," but fix is probably the shortest and best word to describe my passion for …

Are you stuck in a rut? Do you find yourself searching the web for solutions to ministry problems, or looking for the latest church leadership workshop? I'd like to suggest some other ways to …

Leadership Principle #18: Treat suffering and depression with an admission of weakness and an outstretched hand."'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will leave this life.'" – Job 1 …

I'm not trying to stick my head in the sand. I can read a bar graph as well the next guy. I know The Church is struggling. I also know that for myself, and for every church I've been a part of, there …

Do you tear up at those YouTube flash mob videos where unsuspecting people are suddenly serenaded by dozens of extraordinarily talented strangers? I do—every time! I've tried to figure out why …

Engaging the Power! In this final piece I want to present one more critical ability necessary for missional leaders to turn churches around and get them on the right track toward healthy growth. If …

At the weekend retreat, an elder of Clarkston Church drew me aside. "We've decided to call for Pastor Gordon's removal. This weekend has been one long sales job. He's trying to get us to buy his …

December 17, 2004, should have been a day of celebration. Nellie Jo and I had been married 27 years on that date. We were in Naples, Florida, enjoying the sunshine and each other.　 Then the phone …

1. According to the gospels, Jesus talked about money and possessions frequently. It seems like it is worthy of more of church leaders' attention than we give it in our preaching and teaching. 2 …

Leadership Principle #17: Don't waste time asking why some things happen. You'll never know for sure. "'Who knows, perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.'" – Est 4:14 …

Stump and Stone Removal I have been presenting critical abilities a missional leader must possess in order to lead a church in either revitalization or new growth. These abilities build on one …

Balance is a good thing to have in life. Balance is a good thing if you're crossing a creek on a log, riding a bike, or carrying a baby in one arm and a sack of groceries in the other. Balance is a …

When I was a child, I thought as a child, and had lots of ideas, but when I grew up and worked in a church, I was afraid to have an original thought of any kind. Have you ever had the feeling you're …

Leadership Principle #16: Protect your organization's core and culture with a thick wall built by people who want to save their own skin. "'The survivors in the province, who returned from the exile …

I'm somewhat of a walking and talking billboard for 5 hour energy drinks. You know them? Those little red and yellow bottles that claim to pack a punch? They really work for me. They give me a boost …

Building Bridges or Sliding on Thin Ice. The first critical ability a missional leader must possess is the ability to understand the true mission. Secondly, and this must be built on the first …

My wife is very pregnant. There is something odd about that phrasing, isn't there? "Ummmm, very pregnant? Either you are or you're not." Should the state of being pregnant really be quantified? Lyons …