Who in the long list of Bible characters, perhaps with the exception of Jesus and Paul, would you nominate for your organization’s Board of Directors? This is not only fun to think about, but it might be an interesting board retreat idea! First on my list would be Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses. What attracts … Continue reading Fostering Sustainability

There’s an old adage commonly attributed to Peter Drucker, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Along with Drucker, other noted consultants, authors, and management gurus have affirmed that one attribute all great organizations share is a unique cultural dynamic which drives their corporate success. But what is culture, and how do we equip our teams to … Continue reading Cultural Clarity

Over the next decade global economic, technological, and social trends will transform how nonprofits fundraise. As ministries develop their next long-term strategic plan, leaders must keep in mind five megatrends which will have significant implications for fundraising: Global Economy: China and India lead a diversified global economy where the U.S. is one of several major … Continue reading Global Megatrends for Philanthropy

I was standing on the front porch of a ranch house in southern Oklahoma when the director of the leadership retreat approached. He said, “We’ll start soon. Everybody is here but one.” I was there to facilitate the group and I nodded my head in agreement. He continued, “The last one just called. She made … Continue reading Sleeping Giants

In 2016, after 29 years in the media and entertainment industry, I took up the leadership of Prison Fellowship®, the prison ministry founded by Charles Colson, who served as special counsel to President Nixon before becoming a Christian and serving time in federal prison for a Watergate-related crime. Four years after the passing of our … Continue reading An Innovative Culture

I love my technology. Yet I also know this: if I do not dominate my screens, they dominate me. When that happens, my soul withers and my leadership fails. But simple choices can make all the difference. The prime commodity of the web economy is attention, monetized via advertising and sales. Means to entice attention … Continue reading Taming Technology

“Is it better like this,” the optician asks as you stare at indistinct, blurry lines across the room, “or like this?” The blurry lines suddenly resolve into sharply-defined letters. “Oh, yes!” you exclaim. When we create and cast vision, we snap the lenses of God’s kingdom over our organization’s eyes. We help people see the … Continue reading Clear Vision

This is a true story, the best kind. It’s a story of God’s faithfulness and his reality. It’s a story about a lesson learned in the most practical of ways for the best of purposes; trusting God with his plan. Nineteen years ago this week, after a long season of prayer, my wife Lorraine and … Continue reading Trusting God’s Plan

These days, people are telling you how they can help you raise more money for your ministry by following the latest trends and strategies. Digital marketing innovations are plentiful: Round up, Round off, Crowdfunding, Return Path, and Payfurther. Then there are strategies like Amazon Smile: “You shop, Amazon gives.” Recently I even saw an ad … Continue reading Ancient Paths

I’m convinced – strategy is getting a bad rap. At best, some of us make a strategic plan only to put it in a file drawer where it dies a slow, painful death. And at worst, we are told it’s not all that important, so we skip on to bigger, greener pastures freed from the … Continue reading Why Strategy Matters