You don’t hear much about one’s will in preaching these days. There’s plenty about God’s love, God’s mercy, and how God thinks each of us is so very wonderful. There’s lots about our allowing God to do this or that— be the center, be in charge, be on the throne, take my life, let it […]
Which Will? (part five) 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 »
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 »
This is the 19th entry in a series on Coaching Distinctions. I’m inviting you into some of the strategies and perspectives I employ as I champion my clients to achieve extraordinary results—not just while we’re working together, but for the rest of their lives. As a coach, I’m not in the help-you-solve-your-problems business. Nope. I’m
Stealing Second (part three) Read More »
How do you steal second base? You give up first. To progress to any goal, you’ve got to give up where you’ve been. As long as you’re all right with where you’ve been, you’re not likely to pay the price to move into the unknown and on to your goal. Let’s be specific: Until you’re
Stealing Second (part two) Read More »
The first thing every base-running instruction says is you have to lead off. You gotta get off of first. Your foot off the bag. You lead off. And when you do, you’re no longer on first … and you’re a long way from second. And, in this condition you can be thrown out. There’s a
Stealing Second (part one) 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 »
Imagine the impact on the United States if Christians here were known – first of all — for being people of action. If we were regarded as people who leap when there’s an opportunity to help others. People who jump at the chance to undermine injustice? Those who are swift to relieve suffering? What
Committed Action (part one) Read More »
Last time, I introduced the phrase: Throw your body into the middle of the room and see what God does with it. Let me clarify. When you’re surprised by life and find yourself frozen in uncertainty, the pervading impulse is to stop. Ponder. Evaluate. Assess. Trouble is, often life’s reality won’t give you the luxury
Throwing my Body into the Middle of the Room (part two) Read More »
A while back I was training in an evocative character development ministry. Central to my struggle — in that training process and in life—was my reluctance to move, to leap into action, before I fully knew what to do. And, more importantly, if it would turn out. I’d trained myself to make plans, and back-up
Throwing my Body into the Middle of the Room Read More »