THANKING OUR WAY TO A BETTER LIFE
I’ve heard business and psychology gurus pitch the idea that we can think our way to a better life. Their premise? Our brain is soft-wired, and can be re-wired by thinking positively, and in doing so, we can have a happier life. Science seems to support this idea . ....
WHEN LEADING GETS CONFUSING
“Even when you see things happening or not happening that you don’t understand, I want you to trust Me.” Those words came to my heart a few weeks ago while praying and sitting quietly with the Lord. It’s hard sometimes to trust God, isn’t it? It’s not because He’s...
REBUILDING IN THE AGE OF SOCIALLY DISTANT COFFEE
Today Jaime Hlavin rejoins us for an entertaining, informative, and inspirational post on a subject every church leader cares about deeply and is struggling with at some level . . . rebuilding their teams. Enjoy! ~ John We’ve had some unseasonably warm weather here in...
GOT FRIENDS?
This past Sunday at church, a good friend asked me, “How are you?” I gave her the standard, “I’m good” response, even though I came to church that morning carrying some heaviness. She persisted, “How are you . . . really?” It was like she had radar and could sense...
LEG BREAKERS
Perhaps you’re thinking, “Hmm, Leg Breakers . . . what kind of title is that for a blog?” A few weeks ago, I was reading the Gospel of John, chapter 19, and in verse 31 came across words I’ve read probably a hundred times before, but for some reason they jumped out at...
REPLENISHING RELATIONSHIPS & WHY THEY MATTER
Today Jaime Hlavin rejoins us after a brief hiatus. An introvert by nature, Jaime opens up about her struggle with nurturing this most important piece of personal alignment . . . replenishing relationships. Enjoy ~ John As I’m sure you know, John recently launched his...
WHEN GOD SAYS “NO”
God answers every prayer with “Yes,” “Wait,” or “No.” The last response is always the most difficult one to receive, and can be flat-out heartbreaking ~ Rick Warren I’m going through a little stretch right now where God has said “no” to a few things I’ve been...
GRIEVING ORGANIZATIONAL LOSS
“We’re grieving the loss of what was, Pre-COVID.” “We had so much momentum in March, and then . . .” “People have disappeared and we don’t know where they are.” These statements from pastors reveal a common thread: Leaders are grieving the loss of what was before the...
CASTING VISION IN THE NEW AGE OF LEADERSHIP
COVID-19 has profoundly changed the way we do church. Online presentation has become critical . . . in-person gatherings have become complicated. Adhering to guidelines that are in reality moving targets, and at the same time planning something impactful, has become...
UNSHAKABLE LEADERSHIP IN A SHAKY WORLD – PART 3
During the last two weeks, we’ve been exploring this simple idea: The more aligned you are personally, the better you lead professionally. In Part 1 of this series, we talked through three big ideas from our newest book, Unshakable Leader: The Simple Yet Amazing Power...
UNSHAKABLE LEADERSHIP IN A SHAKY WORLD – PART 2
It's all about alignment. So many leadership books have been written. So much great data to sift through. So many ways to “do leadership.” But when everything is said and done (and read), it all comes down to alignment. The more aligned you are personally, the...
UNSHAKABLE LEADERSHIP IN A SHAKY WORLD – PART 1
Today we start a series of three posts on the subject of how be an unshakable leader in the middle of a shaky world. If ever we needed unshakable leadership, it is now. Being unshakable is all about alignment. The most influential thing we can do as a leader is bring...
HOW TO INCREASE YOUR TEAM’S ENGAGEMENT
Your team is the most important asset in the organization you lead. But this is true only when they are engaged. In 2017, according to a Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report, only 15% of employees worldwide were engaged at work. By engaged, Gallup...
WHY YOU NEED A WEEKLY DAY OFF
When I ask leaders about their day off, I’m often greeted with a blank stare followed by uncomfortable mumbling. Some report they haven’t taken a day off in years. And even worse, a few of them are proud of it. They wear busyness as a badge of honor. Many contributors...
HOLDING ON TO YOUR ASSIGNMENT
In the book of Revelation, chapter 2, Jesus makes an impassioned plea to the church of Thyatira: "Hold on to what you have until I come." "Hold on." Jesus was speaking about finishing. As the stress and strain of COVID-19 lingers on, and the polarization of people in...
GETTING BACK TO REAL LIFE . . . AND FEELING EXHAUSTED BY IT
A couple of weeks ago, Laura and I attended a high school graduation party. It was the first extended time we spent talking and interacting with a large group of people since the COVID-19 quarantine began. The party was great fun, but when we got into our car to...
TAKING A VACATION FROM YOUR VOCATION
“Reflection turns experience into insight.” ~ John Maxwell Today is my first day back in the office after a week of much-needed time off. The multi-shaded blue waters of the Great Lakes, the beautiful forests, great food, and time detached from the work we love made...
THE DANGER OF DISLIKE
I want everyone to like me. But everyone liking me isn’t required to have a good life. I want to like everyone. But let’s be real . . . some people are easier to like than others. I'm not sure liking everyone is possible. So we tend to make peace with disliking...
GRACE UNDER FIRE
Today, a timely post from our teammate, Jaime Hlavin. Enjoy ~ John We live in a time where graciousness seems to be in short supply. The Bible describes God as a “…compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." (Exodus 34:6) To be...
TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN YARD
This past weekend Laura and I celebrated Independence Day with a small group of friends. Over a sumptuous feast of smoked ribs, pulled pork, beans, and slaw, we started talking about—of all things—our lawns. Is that a sign of aging? Anyhow, it got me to thinking about...
HELP FOR TIRED LEADERS
After 3+ months of crisis after crisis, leaders feel frazzled and exhausted. Some leaders are so tired that they want to stop leading and start selling ice cream. More than a few strong leaders who lead thriving organizations are seriously considering leaving...
THE EFFECT OF RE-ENTRY BURN ON LEADERS . . . WHAT EVERY CHURCHGOER SHOULD KNOW
Today, a powerful, transparent post from our teammate Jaime Hlavin about the rigor and stress of reentry into the public gatherings of our churches. Enjoy ~ John Back at the end of May, the country watched NASA launch the SpaceX Crew Dragon toward the International...
REFLECTIONS OF A THREE-TIME PAPA
One week ago today, our third granddaughter made her entrance into the world. She’s a beauty. The first pictures of her popping up on my phone made my heart leap and my eyes leak. I feel magnetically drawn to this tiny little person. I think of the Christmas classic,...
WHY EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IS THE NEW LEADERSHIP CURRENCY
What’s it like to be on the other side of you? I remember our lead pastor posing this question to us during one of his talks several years ago. It’s an intimidating question to ask ourselves. Even more intimidating to ask someone else, “What’s it like to be on the...
SIMPLIFY
Today, an important post from our teammate, Jaime Hlavin, on the subject of simplifying. ~ John This week was weird. The governor of Michigan has begun to reopen our state. And it felt almost “normal.” And by “normal,” I mean exhaustingly busy to the point that I...
DEPRESSION . . . SUICIDE . . . AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT THEM
In last week’s post we talked about the sudden passing of pastor Darrin Patrick, and used it as a launching point for a discussion regarding the problem of suicide in the United States. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in...
IN VIEW OF DARRIN PATRICK’S PASSING
We’ve lost another one. Another husband, father, and leader . . . gone. Another person whose life ended prematurely. Another encourager of pastors whose helpful voice was silenced. Megachurch pastor Darrin Patrick died on May 7th, at age 49. Patrick was a teaching...
QUARANTINE-WEARY? FIVE STEPS TO RE-ENERGIZE YOURSELF
In today's post, an encouraging word from Jaime Hlavin. Enjoy ~ John Last week, the state of Michigan’s executive order to stay at home during the COVID-19 crisis was extended until the end of May. While some restrictions were lifted and it seems like maybe there’s a...
THE LIFE-CHANGING POWER OF GRATITUDE
Gratitude is a choice. A powerful choice. Especially in difficult seasons of life. Problem is, gratitude is an unnatural response for most of us humanoids. Even in normal times (are there such times?) being grateful doesn’t come automatically for the majority of...
LEADING IN A POST-QUARANTINE WORLD
What happens when things get back to “normal?” When the COVID-19 shelter-in-place restrictions are lifted? What will our churches look like? What do we need to bring forward from this season into our leadership when we can gather again? Our writing team here at...