Moving your language from "That is not how we've done it" to "How do we want to do it today?"
Language makes a big difference. Think of the number of times you have heard the comment, "that is not how we've done it." Maybe you have said it yourself. Whenever these words are spoken it is an indication that you are living in the past. And, that we are held captive by our past way of doing something.
It is a trap and a bad one. There is an adage that is very true. "If you always do what you...
Cancel culture and Jesus culture
Culture today has become increasingly crass, impatient, relationally disconnected and conflictual. All of these elements are found in our cancel culture where people we don't like, or those we disagree with are simply "canceled." It is hitting the "defriend" button on Facebook because we disagree with an opinion or simply dropping a friendship and "canceling" them. Those who are canceled become...
Churches that smell like Jesus have these seven characteristics
In conversation after conversation I encounter people who have become cynical about the church. I am not one of those because I understand that Jesus is the hope of the world and He has chosen to work through His bride, the church.
Having worked with many churches I have seen almost everything but retain what I call an irrational love for the church.
However, I understand the frustration of many...
A counterintuitive way to gauge the health of your church or organization
In my years of consulting with both churches and non-profit organizations I have come to the conclusion that the single greatest indicator of the organization's health is the health and culture of the staff. When the culture of the staff is healthy, the rest of the organization is usually healthy. When there is dysfunction at the staff level, that is likely to be mirrored in the congregation.
Whe...
At the start of a new year change your life by changing your perspective
The start of a new year is a time of reflection. 2020 will be remembered as a challenging year and we all hope for a better year to come. Whether it will be a better year will depend not so much on external circumstances but on the perspective with which we approach it. Here are six perspectives to consider as we start 2021.
1. Choosing to live joyfully with an attitude of thanksgiving changes...
Ten ways that Covid will change the landscape of the church
I recently finished a book by Fareed Zakaria who is host of CNN's top international affairs show, GPS and one of the most prescient thinkers in our day. The book is entitled Ten Lessons For a Post-Pandemic World. I highly recommend the book which analyzes how our current pandemic is changing our world in ways that will be lasting and consequential. In many cases, it has greatly accelerated...