Aug 24, 2017 | Burnout, Calling, Growth, Leadership, Productivity, Uncategorized, Work
One of the more important puzzles a leader will ever solve is: How can I get more out of my team. . . without killing them? Unmercifully squeezing as much as possible out of team members until they burn out is not good leadership. Manipulating or coercing your team...
Aug 3, 2017 | Calling, Career, Growth, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Pastor, Productivity, Uncategorized, Work
Ever notice how much work you get done right before you go on vacation? Your energy level surges, your focus sharpens, and your productivity soars. Things get done. Why? In large part because you’re motivated by a deadline. David Burnett, writing for The...
Jul 27, 2017 | Calling, Family, Fatigue, Leadership, physical health, Rest, Stress, Uncategorized, Work
“Reflection turns experience into insight.” ~ John Maxwell We (Laura, Chad and I) recently returned from a week of vacation in northern Michigan. The multi-shaded blue waters of the Great Lakes, the beautiful rivers, the feel of sand between my toes, fantastic...
Jul 13, 2017 | Change, Depression, Relationships, Stress, Uncategorized
I feel discombobulated. In the past twelve months, three of my sons married the girl of their dreams. My fourth son graduated from Walsh College. Twelve months ago, Laura and I took on part-time responsibility for a new church plant, in addition to our full-time gig...
Jun 22, 2017 | Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Stress, Uncategorized
What drives you? Passion? Or adrenaline? Also called epinephrine, adrenaline is a crucial part of the body’s fight-or-flight response, but over-exposure can be damaging to our health. A 2004 article by the Table Group points out: “There is something...
Jun 8, 2017 | Abuse, Anger, Forgiveness, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Uncategorized
One of the hardest things to do in life is to forgive a person who has deeply wounded you. When a somebody attacks us, forgiveness is not usually the first thing on our mind. For some of us, our initial impulse may be to retaliate. For others of us, we may tend to...