There are 4 words that Pastors hate to hear. Words that are like nails running down a chalkboard to any preacher. I’m sorry to make you read them, but here they are… I’m. not. getting. fed. It hurt me just to write them. They’re annoying. Frustrating. But sometimes… they’re true. Sometimes people really aren’t growing. I’ve learned that there are times when churches don’t offer people a clear path to grow and christians feel stuck in their faith. The truth is, this is more common than we might realize. One of the biggest reasons that people walk out the back … Read More

I am deeply committed to seeing leaders raised up at every level at Calvary. I know that’s important to you as well. There really is a secret to raising up lots and lots of leaders. It’s not calling staffing companies and combing through resumes. Makes. me. want. to. gag. Instead, the key to unlimited leaders is making your leadership system part of the DNA of for church. Everyone needs to know about it. Even though who don’t participate. They need to know that everyone who enters your leadership development process gets developed, discipled, and dispatched into greater levels of ministry. … Read More

I grew up in Boston, so to say that I’m a Red Sox fan is a severe understatement. I love the Red Sox. I cried when they won the Word Series in 2004. Needless to say, the last week has been rough for me. The Red Sox fell apart. Completely. Then to make matters worse, they fired their manager. Say. it. ain’t. so. But in the midst of all of this madness, there’s 3 huge leadership lessons for us to learn as church leaders:  1. The Red Sox didn’t think through the chemistry of the team when they brought in … Read More

The U.S. Army rocks for many reasons. But there’s one reason that most people overlook, that makes the Army unparalleled as an organization. It’s not their battle skills. Or their exceptional abilities. Neither. It’s one thing… they exclusively raise up their own leaders. The Army doesn’t “borrow” soldiers from other branches of the military when they’re looking for new leaders. Instead, the Army does the hard work of training men and women who can lead at all levels. They have a thoughtful strategy for turning Privates into Generals. Most churches fail to put together a winning plan for raising up … Read More

I’ve worked with thousands of churches over the last 3 years and I’ve noticed a common denominator in churches who lack leaders. It’s not a desire for leaders. It’s not a love to see people grow. It’s not even having someone “assigned” to discipleship or leadership development. It’s none of these. The #1 reason churches experience a leadership drought is they haven’t laid out a plan or system that raises up leaders at every level of the church. Because there is no system in place, leadership development gets put on the back burner. Here’s what I tell the Pastors I coach: leadership … Read More

– Great day at Calvary! – To say that I am enjoying teaching Nehemiah is an understatement! – This morning I taught on “Dealing with Vision Killers” (Nehemiah 3-4). – I love seeing people take bold steps in their lives. I’m hearing great stories of people who are listening to the Lord! – On October 16th we’re boldest initiative in the history of our church. Prayers appreciated. – Looking forward to a couple of days off this week. We’re Disney bound 🙂 – Don’t worry Ninjas, I’ll still be there for our monthly coaching session on Tuesday. It’s the highlight … Read More

Apart from a sodium-laden Asian meal, fortune cookies aren’t all that tasty. However, after some General Tso’s Chicken, a fortune cookie can hit the spot! My kids (4 & 2) love fortune cookies, but mostly they love the messages they get inside each tasty treat. Fortunes like… “Something you lost will soon turn up.” “A firm friendship will prove the foundation on your success in life.” “The road to riches is paved with homework.” Something like that. Church leadership should have a “Fortune cookie” effect. There should be something at the core that you you’re looking forward to and can’t … Read More

I love leadership. I am a student of leadership. I read 150 books a year; many of them on the subject of leadership. But there’s one thing that simply drives me crazy: no one talks about how to develop leaders. I’ve read the “famous” books that are supposed to be about developing leaders, but most of those books are filled with stories. Not. much. meat. on. the. bone. This inability to articulate a process for developing leaders has left many churches in desperate need of leaders. So what are many churches stuck doing? Hiring away leaders from other churches. To … Read More

“How could a successful Pastor leave his church?” I’ve been asked this question about 50 times in the last few days. Over the last year we’ve seen several high profile Pastors leave their church positions to pursue other opportunities. So people have been asking me my thoughts in the matter. Here’s my response… “Every Pastor leaves his church eventually; either by choice or by casket.” I honestly don’t think a pastor leaving his church is the real issue. The real question is, what state is the church in to handle his departure? Great leadership will have reproduced leaders, prepared the … Read More