Lately, as I have led retreats and workshops with pastors and deacons across the country, I have conducted a straw poll asking, “How many of you have ever had a sabbatical?” I have been downright shocked by how many clergy have never had a sabbatical. It’s a very high...
Close to 30 years ago I attended an Alban Institute workshop about visionary leadership, and if memory serves, it was led by Roy Oswald. The presenter was talking about how congregational leaders tend to enter a new call with a high level of vision and energy. But...
I am a person who burns deeply for generating ministries that serve to bring hope and healing into the lives of people. As a leader I strive to fan the flames of passion and vision in others that result in hands-on opportunities for service and generosity into the...
If you’ve been in ministry long enough, chances are you’ve had seasons when people became more exhausting than inspiring. Where the endless opinions, conflicts, and problems begin to blur your vision. Where you start reacting to issues instead of remembering the...
As a pastor or ministry leader, you surely have experienced times where the constant demands and difficult decisions begin to weigh you down. Or when you have the God-filled opportunity to walk alongside suffering people, yet begin to feel crushed by the pain being...
Let me tell you about a tree. Years ago, our staff was on a spiritual retreat in the Colorado mountains. Our guide, Matt Sertall, a Presbyterian author and pastor, invited us to walk into the forest with a strange challenge: “Go find a place that feels right. Say...
