The Golden Opportunities of Conflict
Just a ballpark guess, but let’s say 95% of people hate conflict and will actively avoid it if they can. Of the remaining 5%, some
Tag: coaching
Status Quo: Two Dirty Words
We already know, and have known for a long time, that “status quo” is never the goal of growing organizations or thriving faith communities. Stagnation
Finding Our Way Through the Smoke
I live in the upper Midwest, and like many parts of the nation, smoke from Canadian wildfires has infiltrated our sky. It can turn the
Focusing On Deep Work
Every year, I read Cal Newport’s book,Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World. It’s a book that helps me reset my intentions
Our Secret Weapon: Empathy
Because ministry is centrally about relationships, we see the whole human spectrum of behavior—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Like other people-serving roles (police,
The Path out of Ministry Anxiety
In one of my first parish assignments, I knew I was going to miss a big event soon after I assumed my staff role—the celebration
A Swing and a Miss for Faith Formation
Ministry and mission were humming in the congregation. Average weekly worship attendance was booming, and we had just completed a capital campaign during the worst economy in
Change and Conflict Part 2
In my previous article, I focused on change and how it affects our lives. I also mentioned that change and conflict are important, if not
Why I’m Investing Myself In Coaching School
One night in late December, the plans I’d cooked up for 2023 evaporated before the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve. With the decks cleared
Dealing with Difficult People
If you’ve ever been on a whitewater rafting adventure, you’ll remember that rafting guides know how to address unhelpful behavior right away—if they don’t, difficult