“Good enough is the new perfection” captured my attention as I read the words on a t-shirt. I found it to be extremely intriguing and simultaneously troubling. Was this meant as a joke or an excuse? I admit to being a perfectionist - or shall I say “given to excellence” (as I prefer to refer to my tendencies). However, lowering…
Often the topic of legacy is discussed by those in leadership. Some leaders are consumed with leaving a personal legacy based on their accomplishments. Their energies and efforts are focused on creating what could be defined as the “pièce de la résistance” of their lives. This is not a new concept; men have striven to leave their mark on society…
Effective leaders approach their positions as a responsibility rather than a right. One of the greatest responsibilities of any leader is the development of his team. Leadership provides the awesome opportunity of developing those people God has entrusted to your care. The serious and sobering nature of leadership is addressed in Hebrews 13:7 which reminds leaders they will give an…
Meeting people with a passion for student ministry energizes me. Knowing they understand the struggles while maintaining a long-range vision for the rewards of their investment in students is refreshing. I enjoy late night talks, Starbucks coffee breaks, and passionate discussions after a conference, seminar or anywhere else I can connect with student leaders. I always come away challenged to…
I am a flash, bang, dazzle type of person. I like the big moments of life and ministry. Music moves my soul, especially when it crescendos. Fireworks are exciting but my favorite part is the finale. However, it is not wise to build a life or ministry on crescendos, finales, and dazzle because they are not sustainable. Real life and…
As a veteran leader, I have watched my share of Christian Leaders exit places of responsibility over the years. There were some who made unwise decisions necessitating a change. But for far too many, I observed another heartbreaking phenomenon. If I had to put it into words, I would say it like this: Often good leaders don’t leave organizations/churches that…
Okay, let’s just say it…teaching Middle School students can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. They are not intentionally trying to be difficult, there is just a lot going on in their world. Consider a few or the battles they face: Fluctuating hormones Living in a constant state of “partial attention”Being wired for fun and activity Vacillating between childhood…
The top five comments (and I sanitized these) during the Final Four Tournament could very well have been: You have got to be kidding!What the ___?I never saw that coming.The refs were terrible.My bracket is busted! According to CBSSports.com, only 0.02% of the 2019 NCAA Final Four Brackets actually picked a perfect Final Four. ESPNStatsInfo reported 7,928 of the 17.2…
“Stay in your lane!” This is what I said (to my windshield) the other day while driving on our local interstate. I was following someone who constantly drifted from lane to lane. Besides being dangerous, it was just plain frustrating. Drifting or unintentional lane changing are just unacceptable in a variety of activities. Here are a few of them: Stay…
There is no such thing as a perfect leader, one who never fails his followers. Failure is a part of the leadership story of every leader. All leaders succeed and fail. Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Since most of us are not “the leader,” the one…