If we are intentional, preaching for change can become an effective component of a broader strategy to implement significant changes to help the church not just survive, but thrive in its local context. Preaching provides an opportunity to re-envision the ways in which the good news gets incarnated into the local church. I am not saying that all these problems can be solved by preaching.

None of us took on leadership roles to disappoint anyone. In fact, many of us were asked to step into leadership with the hope and expectation that we could rally the team around a specific problem, bringing a solution that would make everyone happy.

Every organization faces challenges, but many teams fall into the trap of relying on the same old technical solutions. To thrive, it's essential to understand the nature of the challenges you face—technical or adaptive.

Every organization faces challenges, but many teams fall into the trap of relying on the same old technical solutions. To thrive, it's essential to understand the nature of the challenges you face—technical or adaptive.

Adaptive capacity allows leaders to remain resilient, resourceful, and responsive when facing challenges and changing circumstances. It helps leaders shift and modify strategies while staying true to their core mission.

We encourage you to engage in reflection, not only on your personal journey but also on your leadership path. As leaders, we often prioritize "doing" over reflecting, and it may seem contradictory to invest valuable time in contemplation. However, we hope that Lent continually brings you back to what matters most.

Experts tell us that gratitude leads to joy and joy catalyzes growth and good change. We have experienced all of that in our work with you and we pray that this Thanksgiving will give you the opportunity to reflect with gratitude, to experience joy and anticipate a new season of growth and good change.

Values are more important than vision. The huge surprise when we work with clients on leading change is that we don't start with change, we start with what will NEVER change. We help those we coach and consult with understand that even more important than a mission study is a self-study. More important than a compelling vision are the core values that we hold most dear.

The problem with most leadership programs, this and other studies have concluded, is that they are focused more on concepts than context, principles than practices, more on reading experts than reflecting on themselves, and, mostly, more on learning about leading than actually doing the work of bringing organizational change. They are exactly the kind of environment that religious leaders who have a tutored capacity for study and love for theological discussion and historical details thrive.

Resilient leadership, too, requires intentional effort and ongoing transformation. To find the strength to face resistance and adversity, consider the following essential elements: