Being in charge, responsible, and accountable are all part of the leader’s job description, right? So how’s that working out for you? I hope not at all! What?!?! you ask. Read on. When it comes to spiritual skills, your goal is to give the driving privileges of your life over to your Higher Self–which, for […]
How broad is your perspective? As I child, I would lie in the cool, green grass on a summer afternoon looking up into the sky through the feathery leaves of the mimosa tree in our front yard. Noticing how the leaves would fold up each evening was a fun fact for a five- year old. […]
Great leaders understand the need for self-awareness and practice it with the goal of self-improvement. Effective Christian leaders seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in aligning their gifts, talents, and inner selves with God’s work in the world. To start, you need to make use of the tools available for knowing who you are and what […]
Who are your spiritual leaders–past and present? Most of us would probably have Jesus at the top of our list, yet there are others who have also brought wisdom, peace, and compassion to our world. I think of the Apostle Paul, Corrie ten Boom, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks. Have you ever […]
Each of the following 12 headings starts with a letter that when put together spells “Leader Habits.” Each of these habits affects your leadership and the people you lead. When you change the world for one person, you change the world for all of us. How do I know these habits will change the world? […]
Great leaders know how to love those with whom they work. Whether you work/serve in the secular world or in a Christian environment, the way you treat others reveals your true colors. The crowds were amazed at Jesus’ teaching because he taught with authority, not as their teachers of the law (Matt. 7:28-29). His teaching […]
How do you want your leadership to be remembered? Answering that is a good exercise. Preparing for that is a sacred duty. Jesus said expectantly, “The one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father” […]
Have you ever known a leader who never faced criticism? Leaders who invite constructive criticism from their followers, and then receive it graciously and act on it productively are leaders with a growing, appreciative following. Develop your humility by: Asking for anonymous feedback so people can be honest. Listening to the feedback with an open […]
Investing in the younger generation is the best assurance you can have that the good work you’ve started will continue. Here are three ways to ensure your legacy intentionally by befriending the younger generation already eager to make a difference: Spend quality time with someone much younger. Listen! Ask them to teach/advise you about […]
Her whole story is often overlooked. Mary Magdalene is first introduced to us as a suffering woman healed by Jesus (Luke 8). The last time we see her in scripture, Jesus has commissioned her to be the first person in history to share the Resurrection News (John 20). What a transformation! By advising her potential, Jesus […]
Can you still hear the advice and encouragement in your heart from the sheroes and heroes who have shaped your life? Giving them credit for their contributions to your accomplishments is a way to express humble gratitude. Here are 3 ways (among many) you can honor the memory of those who came before you: Mention […]
Respect is not bestowed along with a job title. Respect is earned. Great leaders demonstrate what they are asking others to do by serving them. Regardless of how menial, difficult, or inconvenient the task, great leaders know how to reciprocate responsibility. They do for others what they want done. They know the power in serving […]
Leaders with faithful followers have learned to educate effectively. To educate effectively, you address your followers’ specific needs. To know your followers’ needs, you spend time with your followers. The leaders I follow educate me effectively by helping me: Belong to a community Find practical solutions Have opportunities to fulfill a meaningful responsibility […]
Success in your work is not the source of lasting joy. An excited group of 70 disciples returned from their powerful mission trip. Jesus joyfully heard their report, celebrated with them, and acknowledged their success. His wise counsel then still works today: “Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but […]
Truly seeking God’s will? God will guide you. This verse is my reminder: “For we are of God’s making, created in union with the Messiah Yeshua for a life of good actions already prepared by God for us to do” (Eph. 2:9-10, CJB) Trusting that God already has a plan for you will help you […]
Increase your influence by encouraging excellence. “Whatever is true, . . . noble, . . . right, . . . pure, . . . lovely, . . . admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And […]
NOTE: Summer’s here and I’m promising myself to lighten my load and write shorter posts. So, here’s my first of a series of 90-word Nuggets for Leaders. Read in [this Instruction] every day . . . learn to revere the Lord . . . by keeping all the words of this Instruction. . . . […]
Graduation. Does the church ever graduate anyone? Schools and workplaces have systems in place to help people progress in their intellectual and professional growth. So what are we doing as church leaders to help people know if they’re ready to “graduate” spiritually? In this fourth post in my Leadership 101 Series for Christian Women, I’ll […]
What would you say is the difference between a leader and a great leader? Since Jesus is The. Greatest. Leader., his example is the one we strive to emulate. One of my favorite passages illustrating Jesus’ Great Leadership shows his incredible compassion for girls and women. In this third post in my Leadership 101 for Christian Women […]
About two years after my first major romantic breakup as an adult, the guy got a job at the same large denominational ministry where I was working! I had to face him every day–and face the fact that my own heart was still boiling with a lack of forgiveness. With the Spirit’s help I was able to […]
