We’re looking at distinctions employed coaching pastors and Christian influencers. I hope coaches find these helpful with their clients. Pastors read this blog to more effectively lead those God’s entrusted to them. So, whether you’re a pastor, a coach to leaders, or both, this is for you. Christian ministers have a tricky leadership challenge. With […]
The Invitation (part three) Read More »
I’ve invited you to consider that, regardless of your personality, you are an invitation. All day every day, you invite … something. To discover what you invite, notice what keeps coming your way. Why would you want to know? If you’re not intentional about it, you’re likely inviting what you don’t even want. I coach
The Invitation (part two) Read More »
Have you noticed that some people consistently attract what they don’t want? Maybe it’s true for you, too. It’s as if you’re wearing one of those sandwich boards — visible to others, but not to you. And, the distinction between what you invite and what you want may be subtle. Years ago I attended a
The Invitation (part one) Read More »
A friend challenged me once: “Kirk, you think you’re planting tomatoes, but you’re harvesting beets. And, when you don’t get tomatoes, you just work harder and harder planting and watering and fertilizing those same seeds. Beet seeds.” Derek wasn’t taking about vegetables; he was taking about my marriage. Unwilling to examine the seed I’d been
The Game You’re In (part four) Read More »
Look, I don’t mean to criticize pastors all the time. Many of my best friends are pastors. I’ve given my life to help pastors lead and live well. It’s just that most of what the Church does doesn’t have anything to do with what Christ’s followers are supposed to be about. It’s not that we’re
The Game You’re In (part three) Read More »
Last time I suggested that the “game” you’re in determines how you play in life. At the end, we considered two married couples. To shift the nature and quality of their relationship, both spouses need to examine the game they’re in, in the marriage as they’ve designed it. There are moments when we have little
The Game You’re In (part two) Read More »
A few weeks ago, while pondering what you’ve been reading, Annie and I were in church. As we sang: “I’m coming back to the heart of worship; and it’s all about you, all about you, Jesus. I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it, when it’s all about you…” The phrase “…the thing I
The Meaning we Make Up (part five) Read More »
We humans are peculiar. We want so badly to make sense of life that we do a very insensible thing. We make it up! What I mean is this. When an event occurs—particularly if it’s surprising, we’re not content simply being surprised. No. We have to figure out what it means. The stronger your “TJ”
The Meaning we Make Up (part one) Read More »
We’re examining leadership coaching distinctions that I employ when coaching pastors and Christian leaders. Last time, I suggested that the client’s perspective determines what they see as possible and impossible as they search for solutions to pernicious problems. One common perspective is “playing to win” vs. “playing not to lose”. Pastors commonly cycle between “playing
Playing to Win! (part two) Read More »
Imagine the impact on the United States if Christians here were known – first of all — for being people of action. Caution: activity does not equal effectiveness. Many Christians and churches are busy, busy, busy: elders meetings, fellowships, teas, seminars, bible studies, retreats, revivals, accountability groups, small groups, home groups, growth groups, recovery groups…
Committed Action (part three) Read More »