Every seasoned pastor or ministry leader has been, or will be, attacked at some point in their ministry. I’m not talking about the run-of-the-mill criticism that we all receive — and oftentimes deserve. I’m talking about a full-frontal attack including name-calling, verbal threats, yelling and the like. Why do people attack leaders? None of theseContinue reading “Not Set Back by an Attack”
Tag Archives: learn
Work on Character
When hiring a new team member, it is important to consider the candidate’s character, competency, chemistry, capacity, calling and more. But if the character piece is missing, the rest of those traits don’t really matter. The late U.S. Army Gen Norman Schwarzkopf once said, “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But ifContinue reading “Work on Character”
7 Lessons from a Hike
Dr. Charles Stanley, in a pastors’ conference sermon, encouraged pastors to save their money and take their family on a nice vacation each year. When I heard that sermon on cassette tape, Connie and I had two toddlers and were barely making ends meet financially. But we took his advice to heart and started puttingContinue reading “7 Lessons from a Hike”
What Could You Do in 10 Years?
Recently, I participated in the 75th anniversary of one of our great Kentucky Baptist churches. This church started in 1948 with a small band of believers who had a vision for impacting their neighborhood for Jesus. Those Christ-followers worked, prayed, gave and sacrificed to purchase land, build buildings, hire staff and accept leadership roles —Continue reading “What Could You Do in 10 Years?”
Leaders Must Do This
There is a plethora of helpful advice in print, podcast and video available for leaders today. A simple internet search on leadership will deliver thousands of pages of resources, webinars, training opportunities, professional certificates, books and more. One topic of interest in leadership study today is that of human flourishing. Churches and ministry organizationsContinue reading “Leaders Must Do This”
The Culture Ate Our Strategy
Calvin Wilkins, a much-loved and well-remembered Kentucky Baptist pastor and former KBC Mission Board staff member, once told me of a young pastor who wanted to find a new place to serve. The young man expressed to Calvin that he wanted to pastor a good church, a church like the one Calvin was pastoring. Bro.Continue reading “The Culture Ate Our Strategy”
The Critic Helped Me
Many leaders have been encouraged and emboldened by the words of Theodore Roosevelt in his speech, “The Man in the Arena.” In that speech, Roosevelt said: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.Continue reading “The Critic Helped Me”
Lord, I Don’t Like Him
Years ago, I found myself holding onto hard feelings against a key ministry leader in a church I served. This brother had the gift of criticism. I know he did because he exercised it each week when I finished preaching. My dislike for him had reached a point where I didn’t want to beContinue reading “Lord, I Don’t Like Him”
My Name is “Hard Times”
Years ago, I heard a pastor tell of a man who came to the church office in need of assistance. When the pastor asked his name, he said it was “Hard Times.” With a smile the pastor said, “No really, what is your name?” The man pulled out his I.D. and sure enough it wasContinue reading “My Name is “Hard Times””
Three Ways to Raise Up Church Workers
Ask any church in Kentucky, “What is your greatest leadership challenge?” and the answer will likely be, “We need more workers.” Gospel ministry opportunities abound, but finding the folks to lean into those opportunities can be a great leadership challenge for pastors. How can a church find the workers needed for its life-changing ministry? ConsiderContinue reading “Three Ways to Raise Up Church Workers”
Dr. Todd Gray 