Building Ministries vs. Making Disciples

Building Ministries vs. Making Disciples

Full disclosure: I think leaders and pastors fall into the trap of focusing more of their time on building ministries than making disciples. It is not that leaders and pastors don’t think discipleship is essential, but the reality is that discipleship does not pay the bills. The commitment to discipleship is time and energy-intensive, ultimately taking time and energy away from the ministries we are paid to oversee. As a result, discipleship takes a back seat to most everything else. 

Balcony Time: The Weekly Practice That Can Take You From Task Management to Visionary Planning

Balcony Time: The Weekly Practice That Can Take You From Task Management to Visionary Planning

Balcony time is an intentional, weekly practice of spending time working on your ministry rather than just in your ministry. Often, doing church ministry and other non-profit work can feel like putting out one fire after another and prioritizing what feels urgent over what feels important. Balcony time helps alleviate those issues by increasing the…

Church Consulting: Why Now is the Time for Big Vision

Church Consulting: Why Now is the Time for Big Vision

Maybe you’ve considered church consulting in the past, but you keep coming to the same, never-ending question… Is now the right time? With everything going on (world events, public health crises, staff and volunteer shortages, you name it!), shouldn’t you just wait until this “season” is over? The answer is… maybe.  Maybe, if it really…

Using the Timing of Operational Cycles to Make Your Ministry Work

Using the Timing of Operational Cycles to Make Your Ministry Work

Introduction I was going through a box of some old things that I inherited from my dad not too long ago, and I came across a real treasure. There amongst things that he had obviously cherished was his grandfather’s pocket watch. My great-grandfather had been a Methodist preacher of days gone by, retiring from ministry…

Turning a New Annual Page: Calendaring for a New Year

Turning a New Annual Page: Calendaring for a New Year

Introduction Christmas is approaching fast. You’ve just completed your annual, well-loved Youth Christmas Progressive Dinner. You’re thinking about that last Christmas present that is yet to be bought, when a concerned parent walks up to you and asks, “Hey, when are registration materials for the February retreat going to be available?”.All of a sudden it…