I know why they call it the board, Daddy," said an insightful 8-year-old. "It's because the meetings are so boring!" For people accustomed to an action-oriented society, a group that sits for hours to debate issues and takes months to make decisions does sound less than appealing. And it probably is if all it does is talk. We need to move from words to action.

The traditional ...

Topics:	Administration, Church board, Church staff, Coaching, Committees, Leadership, Management, Meetings, Planning, Team building, Team leadership
Filters:	Church board, Deacon, Elder, Pastor, Pastoral care, Preaching
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Acts 15, 1 Timothy 3:1-7
Date Added:	July 11, 2007

Imagine a compass north, south, east, and west. Almost every time the word leadership is mentioned, in what direction do leaders instinctively think?

South.

Say the word leadership and most leaders' minds migrate to the people who are under their care. At leadership conferences, people generally think, "I'm going to learn how to improve my ability to lead the people God has entrusted to me."

South. It's ...

Topics:	Calling, Character & integrity, Discernment, Leadership, Management, Prayer, Self-control, Spiritual leadership, Team leadership, Vision
Filters:	Church staff, Discipleship, Elder, Men's ministry, Mentoring, Pastor, Pastoral care, Women's ministry
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	1 Samuel 30, Acts 20:24
Date Added:	July 12, 2007

There is no formula for getting closer to God, but there are disciplines that can build a closer relationship with him. Here are some methods for deepening your relationship with God. Assess yourself on these disciplines.

Meditation on the WordThe primary way in which God speaks to his children is through his Word. It is important to make time for devotional reading at least 30 minutes of each day. ...

Topics:	Leadership, Leadership styles, Spiritual gifts, Spiritual leadership, Team leadership
Filters:	Bible study, Shepherd, Small group leader, Small groups, Spiritual director
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Ephesians 4:11-13
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

The New Testament mentions a variety of spiritual gifts. Here is a list as they appear in the best-known teachings on gifts. Use the numbers 1 through 10 to rank the top ten gifts that you have seen in action in your life. Then, have another person or two assess your gifts as they see them. Finally, compare your answers and discuss the various gifts you feel you have and how they can, or should be, ...

Topics:	Leadership, Leadership styles, Spiritual gifts, Spiritual leadership, Team leadership
Filters:	Bible study, Shepherd, Small group leader, Small groups, Spiritual director
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	1 Corinthians 12:7
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

Your potential is like an iceberg, with 10 percent of its mass floating above the water while the other 90 percent hides beneath the surface. You have the potential of that whole iceberg—but most of us use only the 10 percent above the waterline. With God's help you can put your whole potential to its fullest use for the Lord. Potential is like power on idle; it is latent energy. Potential is ...

Topics:	Leadership, Leadership styles, Spiritual gifts, Spiritual leadership, Team leadership
Filters:	Bible study, Shepherd, Small group leader, Small groups, Spiritual director
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Ephesians 4:16
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

Uncertainty is a permanent part of the leadership landscape. It never goes away. Uncertainty is not an indication of poor leadership; it underscores the need for leadership. It is the environment in which good leadership is most easily identified.

...

It took me several years to figure this out. As a young leader I was tormented by the assumption that I should know what to do in every situation. If ...