What would be the first words from a man who just had his right arm cut off in an industrial accident? Over forty years ago, Tom Heflin, a seminary student assigned to me as my “big brother,” told me the following shocking story in our first phone conversation. “I work in a warehouse with several … Continue reading Sustainable Faith

Equipping people to serve, achieve higher performance, attain goals, and become better people is what leadership is all about. As a leader, a part of your legacy is developing other people and growing your team. Jesus Christ was the ultimate equipper. In Ephesians 4:11-12, we see five ministry gifts that are given by Jesus Christ … Continue reading Equipping Your Team

When asked to cite a favorite Bible passage dealing with generosity, many pastors, ministry leaders and development professionals will point to the Apostle Paul’s instruction to the church at Corinth: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have … Continue reading Donor Discipleship

Do you feel pressed for time, caught up in the swirl and white water toxicity of a never ending work culture? It doesn’t have to be that way. Words like rest, alone, a quiet place, and sacred space can and need to be operative realities for how we practice our leadership. For example, when Jesus … Continue reading Sacred Space

We live in contentious times. A brief scroll through our social media feeds or a quick click through evening news stations will affirm just how combative our culture has become. It can be challenging to engage one another in an increasingly divisive society. It seems everywhere we turn we encounter another problematic scenario requiring our … Continue reading Leadership and Engagement

In 1784, American founder and first Chief Justice John Jay penned an urgent appeal to his son: “The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next. Continue therefore to read it and to regulate … Continue reading The Best of All Books

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28: 19-20) Never has there been a more … Continue reading Conflict and Vision

One of my favorite Scriptures relating to spiritual transformation is found in 2 Corinthians, where the Apostle Paul tells of God’s mission, mercy and ministry. Transformation is about a substantial change, a metamorphosis of our old man in becoming a completely new creature.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The … Continue reading Transformational Leadership

A wealthy man was preparing to leave on a trip when he learned of a family that had suffered a great loss and was nearly destitute. He had compassion on them but was pressed to depart so he called for his son and gave him a check, saying: “I am leaving on a trip and … Continue reading A Generosity Parable

As I prepared to write this article about strategy, I couldn’t help but think about God’s ultimate strategy – restoration. God’s goal for all time has been to bring you and me home to him. We had a great start with God. Read the beginning of our story: Genesis 1:26-28 reads “Then God said, ‘Let … Continue reading The Ultimate Strategy