167 items. That’s how many things I had put into my electronic task-management system to do. That’s no exaggeration. One hundred sixty-seven items. ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN. Why did my to-do list get that bloated? Any time I thought of something that I should do, I’d add it to my list: “Read this book.” “Call this person.” “Start this thing.” “Fix this link.” “Pray about … [Read more...]
Read 1 Book 50 Times, Not 50 Books Once (and other advice about reading)
Here are 5 pieces of advice about books and reading I would love to share with every Senior Pastor starting their very first pastorate… Dear friend, I want to congratulate you on your very first day of becoming a Senior Pastor. You will find, as I have, that being a Senior Pastor is the greatest job in the world. Occasionally though, it can be quite lonely. You’ll find that … [Read more...]
The Game Changer: Annual Goals And Daily Prayer Affirmations
If every Senior Pastor reading this would… Seek God’s face for next year’s ministry Write down what they believe God wants them to do Translate those dreams into SMART goals Turn those annual goals into daily prayer affirmations And storm the throne room of God every day until they become a reality …the impact for the Kingdom of God would be staggering. I want to … [Read more...]
20 Apps and Gadgets That Make My Ministry Easier
Here is a list of the technology that is currently making my ministry so much easier and enjoyable: 1. 15FIVE The day we moved as a staff from paper reporting on our top priorities to using the 15FIVE app and desktop application it was like the dawn of a new era. Hands down the easiest to use staff reporting application out there right now. 2. Bose 35 Headphones These were … [Read more...]
How To Consistently Accomplish Your Highest Priorities
The stoic philosopher Seneca used to tell people, “Without a ruler to do it against you won’t make the crooked straight.” In other words, the only way to improve personal performance is to have clearly established criteria (i.e., a "ruler") against which we measure our behavior on a regular basis. Nowhere is having such a “ruler” more important than in the … [Read more...]
The Unintended Consequences Of Sleeping In
Leaders grossly underestimate the price they pay when they continually hit the snooze button on their alarm clocks. In fact, I always wince when a Senior Pastor tells me they're a self-proclaimed "night owl." To me, that's always code for a lot of things, and none of them are good. Historian Nial Ferguson said, “The law of unintended consequences is the only real law of … [Read more...]
Do One Thing At A Time
Try it. Before you start something new, finish the thing that you’re working on. Things Unfinished Finish that book you so desperately needed three weeks ago, but now languishes on your nightstand. I don’t mean feel the need to finish every book you start (because we pick some lemons from time to time, don’t we?). I mean “finish” it. “Finishing” a book, to me, means I … [Read more...]
Becoming A Minimalist Pastor
We would all agree that the worst possible rut to ever be in as a Pastor is living in a perpetual state of distraction, overwhelm, and superficiality. Yet, if someone were to ask us how we’re doing, we’d be lying if we didn’t say that’s how we spend the majority of our week. We race from one “oh that’s good enough” partially finished task to the next. In his book The … [Read more...]
The 12 Most Important Things To Read, Watch Or Listen To As You Start 2017
Whenever I discover something that moves/inspires/challenges me, I save the link in a Chrome folder and share it with my staff the following week. Here in no certain order are the 12 most important articles and podcasts I spent time with in 2016 that could make your 2017 so much richer and focused. 1,000 True Fans - Kevin Kelly The renowned futurist and tech guru Kevin … [Read more...]
How Senior Pastors Can Reduce Email Fatigue
There’s not a Senior Pastor out there who hasn’t loathed the day email was invented. What began as a tool to make communication easier, has become the ministry equivalent of the ancient Trojan horse – a seemingly innocent messenger that can quietly sneak into our well-ordered world and wreak havoc. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with email fatigue, here are three proactive … [Read more...]
How Senior Pastors Can Overcome Depression And Burnout
Almost every single Senior Pastor I’ve coached over the last two years have dealt with depression and burn out. I don’t think this says anything specifically about the people I’ve coached as much as it does about how hard it is to be a Senior Pastor in the 21st century. I can say with certainty that virtually no-one understands the immense, unrealistic, and unrelenting … [Read more...]
14 Ways Introverted Senior Pastors Can Be More Relational (without wearing themselves out)
One of the most common complaints I hear from churches is how they wish their introverted Senior Pastors were friendlier and more approachable. The good news is this can be very easily addressed, without Senior Pastors running themselves into the ground. Here are a few things I’ve learned over the years to help introverted Senior Pastors practice being more … [Read more...]
3 Ways To Double Your Energy In 90 Days (or less)
Many Senior Pastors I meet confess that they don’t have the energy necessary to consistently function at their highest capacity for extended periods of time. They fluctuate. Their energy comes and goes in spurts. One day they’re focused and passionate. The next day they’re lethargic and unmotivated. What is in danger, to borrow a publishing phrase, is the Senior Pastor's … [Read more...]
5 Scheduling Mistakes Pastors Make That Hurt Productivity (and how to fix them)
If churches aren't growing, I promise that a good bit of the cause is their Senior Pastors have made personal scheduling mistakes that are sabotaging their productivity. The first thing I do when coaching a Senior Pastor is to require them to (a) see a dietician, (b) get a complete physical, (c) meet with a financial planner, and (d) consult with (or hire) a personal … [Read more...]
8 Ways Senior Pastors Can Prevent Burnout
I’m seeing a disturbing trend. As of late a number of highly gifted Senior Pastor friends of mine leading smaller to medium-sized churches have come perilously close to burning out. Now, there has always been burnout in ministry as long as there have been Senior Pastors. But my read on this is that the stress placed on the shoulders of leaders in the trenches is … [Read more...]
Why Senior Pastors Have Affairs (And How To Prevent Them)
In 1995 my wife and I helped launch a new church in Dayton, Ohio. Five and a half years later when we felt called to move to Philadelphia, the church was thriving, in its own building, and looking at very bright future. Finding the right pastor to follow me was essential. After an exhaustive search we felt God brought us the right replacement. He was a leader, full of … [Read more...]
Be Careful How You Blow Off Steam With Your Staff (Or, Pursuing The Spiritual Discipline Of Joy)
A few years ago I was in a meeting with a group of Senior Pastors from the East Coast. Someone thought it would be a good idea to get all of us together and suffer for Jesus in Orlando for a week. Amidst the great food and laughter, we broached some serious topics related to leading a growing church. One issue that struck me in particular was the way we senior leadership … [Read more...]
Advice For Aspiring Senior Pastors
I was recently approached by a sharp young guy who asked if I would be willing to coach him, even though he isn’t a Senior Pastor right now. Since there weren’t many doors open to him as a young, inexperienced leader, he took a job as a youth pastor. Our conversation took us to exploring what he could do right now, in his current role, to prepare him for being a Senior … [Read more...]
How To Keep Critics From Messing With Your Head
A few years ago a couple approached me with clenched fists after a sermon. I thought, this can’t be good. All weekend people thanked me for teaching on a topic that had frustrated them for years. I worked tirelessly on the message and felt that God had honored the time on my knees and at my computer. It was a good weekend. Then, this couple, ironically both … [Read more...]
10 Reasons You Shouldn’t Quit The Ministry
Some days I can act like low attendance doesn’t affect me. This past Sunday wasn't one of those days. It was beautiful outside and the seats were empty. After third service I went back to this little electrical closet in the back of the auditorium - one that I re-made into a sermon and prayer room by squeezing a tiny table and chair into it - and just sat there silently and … [Read more...]
