How would you answer the following questions? What are the top three influencers in a teen’s life? What is the subject matter of the top five books on the youth reading list? What are the lyrics to the top five most played songs by teens? What do you know about the artists’ lives and lifestyles? The really great news is…
“Why do you do this?” I had just finished teaching a Leadership Seminar in Wagga Wagga, (meaning town of many crows) Australia to a group of youth leaders and opened the floor for questions. “What do you mean?” I responded. “This!” His hand gestured widely: “Why do you do this? Why are you here teaching us…doing this?” I paused for…
Networking… partnering… cooperating… uniting or rallying…what term do you use? I am referring to you or your ministry connecting with other people or ministries for the purpose of reaching more people with the Gospel. Most of us have come to the realization that our “ministry silos” have been about as successful as the tower of Babel. We have not retained…
How do you measure success in leadership? Is it the size of your paycheck or the number of direct reports? While there is nothing wrong with making money or having a large number of people reporting to you, this is not the standard. Does it consist of controlling people, information (in the Christian community information often equals power) or finances?…
If you have ever served on an organized, highly proficient, united team then you are extremely blessed! Unfortunately, too many of you have had experience with the dark side of leadership teams: the kind that are disjointed and unproductive. We have all been there on these teams (I use the term loosely). Just being in a meeting with this group…
No one can deny how impressive Michael Phelps is in the pool: his medal count speaks for itself. To make it to the Olympics is amazing but to earn a medal - whether bronze, silver or gold - sets you apart from the rest of the world. You are a "card carrying" member of an elite group. So for me…
When Joel Manby showed up at the theme parks his company owns for the CBS TV show “Undercover Boss,” he was hoping to see the core principles of his company in action. Joel is the President and CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment, which owns and operates dozens of theme parks across the country such as Dollywood, Stone Mountain in Georgia…
The term “collateral damage” usually conjures up images of military operations. Explanations of regret for “incidental” destruction of civilian property or non-combatant casualties follow. I guess “collateral damage” should be expected even in today’s surgically precise wars - but is it acceptable when it comes to the home? Perhaps there is no better analogy to use than “war” in reference…
Matt’s eyes were huge as he entered the conference. He had never seen so many youth leaders in one location in his entire life. He had one more burning question: “What are the qualities of the ‘Perfect Leader for Student Ministry?’” He felt confident he could interview enough youth leaders over the next three days to build a profile on…
As I sat across the table at Starbucks sipping coffee, I knew I was hearing the same story I had heard multiple times; but I tried not to reveal it by my response or body language. I was neither bored nor impatient. I knew this Youth Pastor was bearing his soul to me and I truly cared. As he shared,…