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.

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.

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

Now that summer is here, we want to remind you that there is a healthy rhythm to leadership work. As leaders, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks and forget the purpose and focus of our work. That's why it's important to take a step back and reflect on our goals and how they align with God's will.

This often-shared bit of leadership wisdom is from the one who is widely considered the GOAT (“Greatest Of All Time”) of hockey. The key, Wayne Gretzky’s father taught him, was not to skate to where the puck is, but to where the puck is going to be. Anticipate the direction and speed of the puck and get there first.

Get proximate to people who are suffering.” Bryan Stephenson.

In the Christmas carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” one line has always spoken to me. Reflecting on the birth of the Savior, carolist Phillips Brooks wrote, “the hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.” The hopes. The fears.

Not the dreams. Not the vision. Not the stirring speech that motivates, but the hopes and fears. The places of pain and need.

Leaders are visionaries.

At least that’s what we have been told and what we expect of ourselves!

Most of us who lead, love the idea of stirring people to action with a compelling, inspirational vision. A vision that is so beautiful that people rally to serve it, even sacrificially.