The Circles Jesus Drew

May 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment
circles 1

As churches endeavor to find more effective and fulfilling ways to engage people in ministry, the team approach is one that also fits the renewed clamoring for community within churches today. Such an approach seems more conducive to experiencing church as an organism as opposed to an organization. Gilbert Bilzekian describes it this way: "In our day, there is a clamor for the church to rediscover its identity as community. Many Christian leaders bemoan the fact that the church has lost its basic biblical definition as (a) divinely designed community. Lay people and clergy alike express … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Belief, Bible, Change, Christ, Church, Communication, Faith, Intimacy, Jesus, leadership, Ministry, Organization, Pentecostal, Pentecostalism, Teaming, Teams, Trinity Tagged With: , , , , , Leave a Comment

The #1 Essential for Your Ministry Team.

February 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The Teaming Church New

Trust is probably the most oft-mentioned and common ingredient within great ministry teams. Experts from all fields of team building agree on this team essential. No matter what the team ingredient or value is that is being discussed or developed, they really all have their roots in trust or team trust. For example, honesty is an essential value of team, but upon what is it founded? It is founded upon trust. In order for me to be honest with my team or teammate, it is essential that I feel that I can trust them. Another value great teams strive for is innovation and initiative. Both of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bible, Church, Collaboration, Communication, Ministry, Teams, Trust Tagged With: , , , , , Leave a Comment

The Following Leader

December 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
follow leader

I have come to a big decision. The title of my blog is changing as of right now! It is changing because I am changing and recognizing that there is a great need in the church today to redefine “leadership.” Too often we as pastors, leaders and Christian educators (me included!) have bought into corporate models of leadership and greatly missed the fact that Jesus redefined leadership itself. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: America, Belief, Bible, Collaboration, Communication, Following, leadership, Organization, Teaming, Teams, Trinity Tagged With: , , , , , Leave a Comment

The Honor Deficit

October 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
carrot

An honoring culture is one that is always flowing with regular praise and recognition. It is characterized by consistent mutual support and affirmations. In their book, The Carrot Principle, Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton cite a report (from HealthStream Research) which says that 69% of North American workers reported that they were not recognized at all in their jobs last year. And, if that is not alarming enough, 79% of the top performers who change jobs reported that one of the main reasons was a lack of recognition for the work they had done. Perhaps most amazing was the discovery … [Read more...]

Filed Under: America, Bible, Church, Collaboration, Community, Encouragement, Honor, Relationship, Teaming, Teams, Trinity, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , Leave a Comment

The Most Misquoted Bible Passage at Weddings

October 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The 3-fold Cord

The Biblical value of teams over individual efforts is described in resonant and simple terms in Ecclesiastes. It is especially interesting that, although someone who held a supreme hierarchical position, namely King Solomon, wrote this passage, he nonetheless saw the wisdom and value of teams even in his day. Even from his lofty throne he thought to include these insights and the model of the triple-braided cord in his volume of wisdom. Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Collaboration, Communication, Community, Faith, Friendship, Giving, God, Gospel, Grace, Humility, Innovation, Intimacy, Journey, Obedience, Relationship, Soul, Teams Tagged With: , , , , , , , Leave a Comment

The Teaming Church: Ministry in the Age of Collaboration

August 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Teaming Church New

I am excited about a new book I have coming out this Fall (Abingdon Press). It is entitled The Teaming Church: Ministry in the Age of Collaboration. Here is a link to an excerpt from the book. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Collaboration, Culture, Ecclesiology, Generations, leadership, Organization, Teaming, Teams Tagged With: , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment