LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 173: WHY VALUES?
A church or a business won’t get to their end zone without fuel—the culture created by meaningful values provides that fuel. Core values are behaviors. If vision answers the question where, values answer the question how. How do we behave around here? You can listen...
WHY VALUES?
In last week’s post we explored the subject, Why Vision? We talked about the magnetic power vision exerts on an organization, and how to begin imagining a vision and then casting it. Vision is about destination. In football terms, it’s about the end zone. Today I want...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 172: WHY VISION?
Vision is about destination. Vision speaks to where you and the organization you lead are ultimately heading over a period of time. Using a football metaphor, vision is the end zone. The audio version of today’s episode is available here. Here is the video version....
WHY VISION?
Vision is about destination. It speaks to where you and the organization you lead are ultimately heading over a period of time. Using a football metaphor, vision is the end zone. When we mention vision, some leaders perk up. Others clam up. A few want to throw up....
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 171: THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS I LEARNED IN 2022
Can you believe it’s 2023? Blink, and here comes another year. A year full of opportunity . . . surprises probably . . . and likely, some challenges. We think one of the best things a leader can do with a new year is to take stock of the prior year. In today’s...
INCREASING 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 State of the Global Workplace report, only 15% of employees worldwide were engaged at work. By engaged, Gallup means...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 170: INTERVIEW WITH PAUL FEUERSTEIN – PART 2
Summary: In today’s episode John and Jim welcome Paul Feuerstein back to the mic. In Part 2 of their conversation, they unpack some of the biggest challenges facing leaders today, and practical things leaders can do about those challenges. You can listen to the audio...
THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS I LEARNED IN 2022
At the end of every year, I take time to reflect on the three most significant lessons of the year. My intention is to internalize those lessons and carry them into the next year. Here are the most important things I learned in 2022. I hope one or more of them speak...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 169: INTERVIEW WITH PAUL FEUERSTEIN – PART 1
Summary: In today’s episode, John and Jim interview Paul Feuerstein, lead pastor of Helena First in Helena Montana. Together they unpack six axioms that are common to leadership no matter the size/demographic/location of the church you lead. You can listen to the...
THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR – PART 2
Today we welcome Jaime Hlavin back to the blog for Part 2 of her Holiday miniseries, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. In today’s post, Jaime pivots to the personal side of the Holidays, and outlines a few healthy boundaries that will help you get more joy out of...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 168- INTERVIEW WITH JOSH SPURLOCK-PART 2
Summary: In today’s episode, John and Jim welcome Josh Spurlock back to the mic for Part 2 of their conversation. Josh is the founder of My Counselor Online, an amazing organization dedicated to the mental and emotional well-being of leaders. In this powerful...
CHRISTMAS THROUGH THE SEASONS OF LIFE
Christmas was magical to me as a kid. The fresh-cut pine tree loaded with lights and ornaments; piles of snow outside; Charlie Brown and The Grinch Christmas specials; holiday kielbasa and raspberry cream pies; family gatherings; opening gifts; no school for two...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 167-INTERVIEW WITH JOSH SPURLOCK- PART 1
Summary: In today’s episode, John and Jim welcome Josh Spurlock to the mic. Josh is the founder of My Counselor Online, an amazing organization dedicated to the mental and emotional well-being of leaders. In this powerful conversation, John, Jim, and Josh unpack...
THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR?
Today we welcome Jaime Hlavin back to the blog! In today’s post, Jaime helps leaders navigate perhaps the busiest time of their work year . . . Advent. You’ll find practical tips to help you keep yourself steady in the middle of “the most wonderful time of the year.”...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 166: HOW GRATITUDE HELPS YOU LEAD BETTER
Gratitude is a choice. A powerful choice The Apostle Paul said: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” And a bit later he wrote: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” Question is . . . how does a...
WHEN LIFE & LEADERSHIP DISAPPOINT
What do you do when the current season you’re in isn’t working out the way you envisioned? When your personal life, or professional life—or maybe both—seems swallowed up by disappointment? Life doesn’t always work out the way we hoped. And yet we can have hope no...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 165: SURVIVAL TIPS FOR INTROVERTED LEADERS – PART 2 INTERVIEW – JAIME HLAVIN
In today’s episode, John and Jim welcome back to the mic Jaime Hlavin. Together they unpack three additional survival tips for introverts who are called to fulfill an extroverted role. You can listen to the audio version of the pod here. Here is the video version....
HOW GRATITUDE HELPS YOU LEAD BETTER
Gratitude is a choice. A powerful choice Especially in difficult seasons of life. Problem is, gratitude and contentment are unnatural responses for most of us humanoids. Even in normal times (are there such times?) being grateful doesn’t come automatically for...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 164: SURVIVAL TIPS FOR INTROVERTED LEADERS – PART 1 INTERVIEW – JAIME HLAVIN
It’s surprising how many introverted people get called into an extroverted role. In today’s episode, we welcome Jaime Hlavin to the mic. Jaime explores the sometimes head-scratching challenges facing introverts who—surprisingly—find themselves in an extroverted...
MINISTRY & MARRIAGE
Today we welcome Jaime Hlavin back to the blog. In today’s post, Jaime explores the real challenges facing ministry couples, and offers four practical tips to help busy pastors and their spouses cultivate a growing, life-giving marriage. Enjoy ~ John My husband and I...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 163: THREE ESSENTIALS OF A HEALTHY & EFFECTIVE CHURCH
In today’s episode, John and Jim continue to unpack some of the most powerful moments of the Helping Small Churches Thrive Conference, that featured Karl Vaters, a specialist in helping small churches get healthy. In today’s pod, they explore three essentials of a...
THE PERIL OF GROWTH
Ah growth . . . an oft-used word in our world. Many times, an oft-misunderstood word. And our misunderstanding can get us into trouble. What happens when we get the “growth thing” right? What happens when we get it wrong? 30 years ago, I suffered through major...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 162: SMALL IS NOT A PROBLEM, A VIRTUE, OR AN EXCUSE
In today’s episode, John and Jim recap some of the most powerful moments of the Helping Small Churches Thrive Conference, that featured Karl Vaters, a specialist in helping small churches get healthy. No matter the size of the church you lead, this episode will both...
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR THE INTROVERTED LEADER
Today we welcome Jaime Hlavin back to the blog. Jaime explores the sometimes head-scratching challenges facing introverts who have an extroverted calling . . . and what those introverts can do about it. Enjoy ~ John. I am an introvert. I am very comfortable in my...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 161: WHEN JESUS SAID NO
Don’t attend every argument you’re invited to. Jesus said “yes” many times. But He also said “no” on occasion. In today’s episode, John & Jim help us find the middle between the extremes of people-pleasing and people-dodging. Here is the audio link. The video link...
STRUGGLING WITH THE F-WORD
Do you struggle with the F-word? You know . . . when people (sometimes the ones you love most) say or do something injurious? When you feel angry about it and are unsure how to process the emotion? You can’t talk about anger for very long without wandering into...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 160: FOUR PROMISING TRENDS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH – PART 2
Jesus is on the move and building His church today. In this episode, Jim and John unpack two additional positive trends they’re noticing across their network of church clients, and how leaders can ride the wave of these two encouraging currents. Recap Episode 159 –...
THE COMMANDMENT LEADERS DISOBEY MOST OFTEN
When I ask leaders about taking a weekly day off, I’m often greeted with a blank stare followed by uncomfortable silence. Some report they haven’t taken a day off in years. And even worse, a few of these leaders are proud of it. They wear busyness as a badge of honor....
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 159: FOUR PROMISING TRENDS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH – PART 1
Jesus is on the move and building His church today. In a world where bad news seems to rule, we unpack two of the positive trends they’re noticing across our network of church clients, and how leaders can ride the wave of these two encouraging currents. Here is the...
LEADERSHIP & FRIENDSHIP: ARE THE TWO COMPATIBLE?
“You can never have any close friends in the church you lead!” Such was the declaration I heard as a young pastor from many seasoned pastors. I was a greenhorn and didn’t have enough confidence to push back on their strong position. Coming out of college, where...