We have spiritualized or prioritized the methods over the mission to the point that we think they are one and the same.
All in Church
Church Leaders, Optics, and Why They Matter
I am convinced that, for most church leaders, optics simply reinforce the truth that we care. That we do show up. Optics reflect our hearts.
Lessons from the Shark Tank
I watch people talk to each other like other people watch a football game, and Shark Tank is one of my favorite shows for observation and learning.
A Family and the Family
The church family creates proximity to Jesus and a centralizing focus on him, until his identity becomes clear to all in the circle.
A Time to Speak, Part 1: Guilt
Many of the necessary components in addressing guilt are implicit in Christian community. Acceptance, forgiveness, compassion, and perspective are all necessary companions for this topic.
Faith Development and Women
Considering differences in learning and faith development between genders adds another layer of understanding that will hopefully lead to greater effectiveness in teaching and ministry.
Religious Services in the Age of COVID-19: Results From a Recent Survey (Part 2)
A follow-up piece reporting data and takeaways from an October 2020 survey of churchgoers about how the pandemic has impacted them and their congregations.
Three Things You Cannot Do When Your Church Splits
At some point your church will split. It may not be official, but it will happen. Leaders decide not to change certain things and people leave. Or you decide to change things and people leave.
Own It
Speaking to an audience can be a conspicuous and vulnerable place, just like being a female minister.
Four Fears and a Christian Response
These four fears stifle creativity and appear so commonly in congregations that I want to share them with you and offer a theological response.
Leadership Requires Listening
As we talk about taking initiative – getting things done quickly, efficiently, and innovatively – the reminder at the end is stark: learn to listen!
Conflict Top 5: Your Church Wants You to Read This
Sometimes Jesus engaged others and sometimes he didn’t. However, what he didn’t do was quit, avoid, or escalate the situation. Read on for a quick conflict refresher.
New Books for Church Leaders
As the year comes to a close, I’d like to recommend six brand new books that you might find particularly helpful as you pursue God’s preferred future in 2021.
Resource Highlight: Siburt Institute 2020 Digital Resource Roundup
Whether you wish to catch up on a live webinar you missed or to use a Summit guidebook as a small group discussion guide, I invite you explore the numerous new resources we developed this year.
Don’t Forget the Spouses!
Over the years I have heard many stories of spoken and unspoken expectations on the spouse. This has varied from the assumption of specific ways they would be involved at church to expectations regarding employment.
Take Care of Your Old Flock
Let me suggest three specific ways to express value and worth to our older members.
For Ministers Who Would Like to Facilitate Gender Inclusion, Start Here
If you’re a male minister and have had gender inclusion on your mind for a short while or long while, you are among many ministers who are in the same boat, and the struggle is real.
Hot Tub Church
We wouldn’t take a bath with strangers, but have you ever walked into a church feeling as if you’d just taken off your clothes and jumped into a bath with them?
Religious Services in the Age of COVID-19: Results From a Recent Survey (Part 1)
An initial report from an October 2020 survey by the Pruett Gerontology Center and Siburt Institute for Church Ministry.
Anxiety and Its Antidote
Far more contagious than the coronavirus, anxiety is actively infecting our congregations and those who lead and serve them.