When tragedy strikes, or when evil happens, we often ask, “Why?’ Some get mad at God for letting painful things happen, others doubt a loving God exists if there’s evil the world, and some work to find a reason behind tragedies, as if God is sending a sign or judgment.
In the midst tragedy and evil/pain, we hurt, cry, get mad, feel despair, and often feel hopeless. And these moments often seem without reason or purpose. Some ask why does God let bad things happen to good people? Yet, we all go through pain, have loved ones die unexpectedly, and deal with sudden tragedy.
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Posted on Thursday, May 23rd, 2013 at 7:11 AM in LEAD WELL, YOUTH MINISTRY. No comments
It’s never worth your second-best.
That corner you’re tempted to cut isn’t going to help you.
Others take notice when you’re unwilling to help. Or when you treat others poorly. And you don’t notice either.
That extra preparation and practice you’re too “tired” to do will be worth every effort you put in to get it just right.
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Posted on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013 at 7:11 AM in LEAD WELL. No comments
How you spend your time “off” from work needs attention.
How do you spend your time off from work? When you get time off from work – a week or weekend – what do you choose to do? Most of us hopefully choose to complete a few unfinished jobs around the house, exercise, and sleep a bit more.
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Posted on Tuesday, April 30th, 2013 at 7:07 AM in LEAD WELL, YOUTH MINISTRY. One comment
Ran across this video (thanks Jalysa Smith) this past week as we’ve been discussing the church, modernity, and how consumerism has shaped ecclesiology in our senior seminar class that I teach. One of the comments on the video says, “I miss the church. I hope it’s rediscovered in my life time.” My take is that things are better than this video portrays. We’re experimenting with ways to connect well, to build community, to reach out, and to speak to the times. And I love those initiatives. So, I’m positive about the church and its efforts, and deeply committed to it.
However, there are some potential fundamental problems if we’re not careful moving forward – and this video illustrates them. First, consumerism often (sometimes unknowingly) drives decision-making, even leadership decisions. We choose leaders or programs or content based on attraction potential, finances, and marketing. Of course, church attenders do the same and look for a church service that “appeals” to us. And, if we don’t like it someday, we’ll go to a church that does.
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Posted on Thursday, April 4th, 2013 at 7:46 AM in LEAD WELL. 2 comments
Have you ever felt unfairly labeled?
One problem with theological litmus tests is that they’re binary. You’re either one thing or another. Sure categories and stereotypes provide quick summaries about where people stand, but I generally find that people use them to push others to the side – what we quickly term “right”or “left,” conservative or liberal.
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Posted on Monday, March 11th, 2013 at 7:11 AM in BELIEF MATTERS, LEAD WELL. No comments
Most of my week is spent coaching and teaching people who lead, coordinate, teach, or manage various groups. I consult with people ages 18 to 83 who hold positions in youth ministries, nonprofits, local public schools, educational administration, publishing, and even a few CEOs of global corporations.
All are trying to keep up with change, the new constant of our culture.
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Posted on Monday, February 25th, 2013 at 7:11 AM in LEAD WELL. 2 comments
I ran across an axiom that my church uses when starting or helping other churches. They look for demonstrated sustainability before they end their supervision. They don’t just quit when the group says they have it, they want to see it demonstrated and sustained.
Don’t cut the supervisory ties until the person or group has shown that they can be on their own …. by being on their own.
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Posted on Tuesday, February 12th, 2013 at 9:27 AM in LEAD WELL. No comments
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