Strategic. The next manifestation of leadership is the word strategic. This manifestation of leadership means that you have to have strategic thinking but it must always lead to action. Much of what you do in church is what you’ve always done. At one time someone wanted this and wanted it to be done in this manner. No area in the church is exempt from the need to think strategically. This does not leave out…
Read MoreVision must drive the direction
I am captivated by Bill Hybels description of the manifestations of leadership, the second of which is “directional.” Directional is a word describing leadership that I don’t believe I have seen in any list of what it means to be a leader. The root word of directional is of course direct. Like most words in the English language the word direct or directional would have more than…
Read MoreIt Starts With Vision
I love leadership, so when I came across a list from Bill Hybels, concerning leaders in the local church I was fascinated. He lists 10 manifestations of leadership. His list really caused me to examine each of the 10 closely. Here are the 10: visionary, directional, strategic, managerial, motivational, pastoral, team-building, reforming, entrepreneurial, and networking leadership. My plan is to consider each of them and see how they help with the responsibility…
Read MoreLeaders Are Human, And It Is Okay!
Today, where I live the cold air of winter has come sweeping through. I live where there are four distinct seasons with winter seeming to be the most uniquely distinct. We are promised two to four inches of snow this weekend. The weatherman informed me this morning that next week we will go several days with temperatures below freezing! As a child I did not mind snow, I loved playing…
Read MoreWhats up with Leadership?
I have been interested in the subject of leadership for quite some time. Leadership is something that many aspire to, and the idea seemingly divides the world into two categories, leaders and followers. I am not so sure that is the way it works. Everyone has to exhibit leadership qualities and skills to some degree. Even if you never think of yourself as being a leader. If you are…
Read MoreAre you a 3H leader?
Leadership. Everywhere you turn someone has written a book or an article or a blog post about leadership. It seems to have started with the business world but now has crossed into every discipline and vocation. So much of this has been positive, because in essence we are all leading in some way. Most importantly we are leading ourselves. I often tell pastors you can’t be a good leader until you…
Read MoreBuilding a Great Life
How do you put into words all of the things that have gone in to shaping your life? There is much of which you are aware and can easily measure the impact of those people and places upon your life. Many people and events went into the shaping of your life. Some events and places and persons do not register at all in the memory bank. There are people we only encounter for…
Read MoreThinking about Leaders
Is there anything talked about today as much as leadership? Bookshelves bulge with the latest titles on the subject. Seminars are offered on every aspect of leadership. You may attend the seminars live, or via webinar. You can get a coach, listen to podcasts, subscribe to the latest musings from self-appointed gurus. In this age of information overload it is easy to just turn it all off and hibernate from…
Read MoreIn Celebration of Volunteers
Fulfilling the responsibility that I am entrusted with necessitates my meeting a lot of people. All of my adult life I have been surrounded by volunteers. In the not-for-profit world the vast majority of folks we work with are volunteers. They go to work, come home and take care of their families and then rush off to volunteer at the church. We seem to expect that this is how it…
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