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

God has entrusted us with his most precious treasure—people. He asks us to shepherd and mold them into strong disciples, with brave faith, and good character. I would not give my life to any church that was not serious about this calling—the transformation of human beings. God has decided, for his own good reasons, that people are not transformed outside of community.

Years ago, while on ...

Topics:	Community, Confession, Encouragement, Guidance, Small groups, Spiritual formation
Filters:	Bible study, Counseling, Discipleship, Mentoring, Small groups, Spiritual director, Volunteer
Purpose:	Fellowship
References:	Acts 13, Acts 15, James 1:23
Date Added:	July 12, 2007

The Case A godly man with a totally different philosophy of leadership than the board's had been put forward by numerous members of the congregation. When our nominating committee came to his name, there was an uncomfortable silence. He had served the church faithfully in the past, yet everyone knew he wouldn't fit the leadership team. The problems would be philosophical, not spiritual, but problems ...

Topics:	Accountability, Church discipline, Church staff, Conflict, Decision making, Fellowship, Leadership, Volunteers
Filters:	Church staff, Discipleship, Elder, Management, Pastor, Pastoral care, Shepherd
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Acts 15:36-40
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

A godly man with a totally different philosophy of leadership than the board's had been put forward by numerous members of the congregation. When our nominating committee came to his name, there was an uncomfortable silence. He had served the church faithfully in the past, yet everyone knew he wouldn't fit the leadership team. The problems would be philosophical, not spiritual, but problems ...

Topics:	Authenticity, Calling, Character, Empowerment, Leadership, Mentoring
Filters:	Church board, Discipleship, Mentoring, Pastor, Pastoral care, Shepherd
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Acts 15:36-40
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

Leadership requires making tough decisions. A volunteer in the wrong position is not good for the church or volunteer. Knowing how and why to change someone's responsibilities will help you strengthen your ministry and be considerate to your volunteers. Here are three options when you are in that situation.

Move them to someone else's team. Sometimes they are in the right position, and they are helping ...

Topics:	Empowerment, Ministry, Motivation, Servanthood, Service, Volunteer care, Volunteers
Filters:	Pastor, Pastoral care, Service, Shepherd, Spiritual director, Volunteer
Purpose:	Ministry
References:	Acts 15:37-38
Date Added:	August 01, 2007