A Leader’s Personal Needs

There is a difference between balance and what a friend calls living in search of the radical middle. Balance suggests stasis – living without extremes and perhaps in complacency. The radical middle is all about living to the max while balancing two opposing tendencies. Think of the relationship between building a strong family life and…

One of my friends recently said that adhering to tradition is like giving in to peer pressure from dead people. So, fight or flight? Which option should you choose? “I’m no quitter!” How many times have those three words helped you persevere where others might have given up? Yet, there is a time to back…

Did you know that our education often fails to match our profession? Only about 46 percent of college graduates work in the field they learned in school. One study found that of those enrolling in a course of study, only about five percent will be in it two years after graduation. The false promise of…

It can be lonely at the top. You may be surrounded by people who adore you. Yet the pedestal where they put you is a lonely place. Church problems rest on the shoulders of leaders—further isolation. Even the news is enough to drive you to distraction. Every time you read of the church shrinking or…

As shepherds of Jesus’ flock, we sometimes overlook the need for a bit of self-protection. Some friends are better than others—some friendships are dangerous (aside from sexual temptations).   Some are more pronounced in smaller churches, especially in newly planted congregations but all merit a look. Here’s the deal; there are people who long to…

Pastor’s families live in semi-isolation because congregations hold them on a pedestal. However, a larger problem is isolation of the pastor from their family.   This is because our jobs are never ending, and we get so busy we forget our personal priorities. Many pastors leave ministry because of root problem of loneliness in their…

Loneliness in leadership is never fun. It’s also less than necessary when it comes to living on a pedestal.   Pastors are often surrounded by people who elevate them as super Christians. We’re already called by God to live to a higher standard so it’s no fun being judged by one that is entirely artificial.…

Pastors are leaving vocational ministry at an alarming rate. Coupled with slow church planting, the problem threatens the church’s existence. The pandemic accelerated the pain, but this is systemic and ongoing.   As we wonder what can be done, I want to spend a few weeks exploring possible solutions on this website.   This Is…

John 15 has a hold on me. I can’t seem to get out of the chapter and the one before it. I’ve been talking with several hurting friends. They’ve been pruned, and they don’t appreciate it. They’re fussed up because things aren’t going to plan. Perhaps they (and we) don’t get that pruning is an honor…