Four Keys to Creating a Thriving Organizational Culture

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Leaders can harm or heal. Whether you’re a pastor, parent, coach, or CEO, creating organizational cultures where people thrive, rather than simply survive, is our calling. Here are four ways to create a thriving organizational culture: 1. Have a compelling, clear, and challenging vision. God has deposited within the human spirit … [Read more...]

The Power of Clarity in Your Church’s Vision

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Tears were streaming down his face as he silently wept: “I can see it so clearly… I just haven’t had the ability to put it into words… which makes people think I don’t know where we are going.” Clarity is powerful. One of my most favorite things to do through my work with Church Simple is to help church leaders clearly … [Read more...]

9 Characteristics of an Unhealthy Organizational Culture

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As leaders, whether it be as CEO’s, coaches, parents, or pastors, we have the honor of being the architects of organizational cultures where people can flourish. As I was reading Sam Chand’s book, Cracking Your Church's Culture (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2011), I came across 9 characteristics of an unhealthy organizational culture … [Read more...]

Poll: 65 Percent U.S. Say Churches Should Be Allowed to Meet in Public Schools

Whynot

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) -- Two-thirds of Americans believe public schools should rent to churches and other community groups, according to a new study by LifeWay Research. The study comes as a Feb. 12 deadline banning the use of New York City schools by churches approaches. Up to 160 NYC congregations that have used school buildings for … [Read more...]

Are You Ready for People to Accept Christ?

Come&See

I believe that scripture teaches that we should always be willing and ready to share our faith with those around us.  We place such a huge emphasis on people in our churches sharing the gospel.  I think this should be a part of not just our ‘church’ culture but a daily emphasis in the life of every believer.  We should want to tell … [Read more...]

Top 10 Books on Christian Coaching

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What books would help Christian coaches? Over the years I've read a lot of books on Church Planting, Evangelism, Leadership, Disciplemaking, Missions, Outreach, Coaching, Church Administration, Church Growth, Spiritual Disciplines, and so much more. I want to recommend these books on Christian Coaching: 1. Empowering Leaders Through … [Read more...]

Church Budget Nuts & Bolts

Budget

Church budgets are on my mind at the moment. Since budgets are something I deal with almost daily, and December marks the end of the fiscal year for many churches, I thought it was time to share a little bit on budgets.  While there are MANY philosophies on how to create a budget, most churches break down into one of two … [Read more...]

Ten Bad Work Habits to Kick

Can We Talk?

We all struggle with bad habits; at home; at work; privately and publically. Church leaders are no exception. Allow me to share a few of these bad habits through the lens of church life. We can harm otherwise fruitful ministry with these character foibles. Here’s a list of ten bad habits to consider kicking. 1. Procrastination. … [Read more...]

Ministry Systems: Cutting Out the Noise

Too Much Noise

Over the last few weeks I have had a bunch of conversations about communicating our priorities.  Whether it is over lunch with a pastor, skype with a friend, or just talking through stuff with my wife this topic seems to be following me.    Today, I watched a video that Matt Cutts shared on his blog that nailed this point.  The video … [Read more...]

Four Reasons You Should Call Instead of Write

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I really do like the digital age of communications. I can send emails at faster speeds of communication than I would have dreamed years ago. I constantly communicate with my three sons and close friends via text messages. And I send hundreds of brief messages through Twitter and Facebook each month. Indeed the speed and convenience of … [Read more...]