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 […]
I’m starting a series with this article giving specific leadership principles, practices, and promises for Christian women. I’d love to hear your comments! While I love to teach the stories of biblical women and glean leadership principles from their lives, I really believe there is an even more important tool with which a Christian woman […]
The brother-sister metaphor is used in the New Testament to describe the relationship among Christians. It is a picture of equal status and equal responsibility. So, how are we doing with that in practical terms in the church today? How would our ministries benefit if we sought out the wisdom, knowledge, and experience of the other […]
Is the ministry you lead or participate in following Jesus’ model for ministry? The model Jesus offers us is laid out in chapters 5-10 of the gospel of Matthew. This model is applicable to any type of ministry – a women’s ministry, a food pantry ministry, a church, a music ministry, a teaching ministry, a […]
Can you imagine someone joining your church staff tomorrow who was just released from prison today? I can’t, but I should be able to! Why? Because when Jesus healed Mary Magdalene from being imprisoned by seven demons–which could imply she suffered from the worst possible corruption–she became one of a group of wealthy women who […]
Being misunderstood is an expected occupational hazard for any leader. Being doubted as a leader is also frustrating. Sometimes, those occurrences can make you feel debilitatingly paralyzed from wanting to continue with your responsibilities. That’s when I pull out my leadership tools of the example of others who overcame such obstacles. I often turn to the […]
Servant leadership is a popular term. Yet, what does it look like? Can you actually be a leader who serves others with a humble spirit in today’s competitive marketplace, in today’s political environment, even in today’s church? I believe the answer is yes because Jesus modeled it and expects us to follow his leadership. The […]