Lead Well

When I first started out in ministry, I was naïve to think that everyone would get along. We all love Jesus, and we’re all in this together, we should be one big happy family, right? Unfortunately, church can be like angry Twitter. No matter who you are or where you go there will always be conflict. You’re going to want to do something and someone else is going to have a different opinion. It’s called being human. Your skill as a leader is shown by your ability to work with others and get things done. It’s far too easy to make that other person your enemy but doing so will not help you reach your goals or theirs. Let me tell you a story.

This past week, I left work frustrated. I worked really hard on my children's ministry Facebook page throughout the week and all of 8 people saw all of my posts. 8! out of 186! I just wanted to throw in the towel. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has felt like this. You've done everything you can do and it seems like nothing helps.  So here are five ways I've found to beat frustration. Do something else for a little while.  When I got home that night, I was full of the blues, so I volunteered to go grocery shopping with my wife.  Just getting my mind of things released some of the tension. When you feel super frustrated don't keep pushing.  Take some time off and do something else.  The solution might present itself when you come back. Exercise. It's amazing what a little physical activity can do for you.  I run frequently, so the next morning, I put on my running shoes and my headphones and took off.  It was refreshing and energizing. ...

Last week I outlined four big problems that every church must face. They’re big issues and there are no quick fixes. However, we can begin the process of fixing the problems that plague us. Thom Rainer in his book Breakout Churches discovered a pattern that many great churches follow to solve their deep problems. Step 1 – Accept painful reality: If you’ve ever come to the realization that you have a real problem, you know how painful that realization may be. There are many times that we don’t want to admit there is a problem because it hurts too much. The same is true with organizations. However, the sooner we realize that something is wrong, no matter how much it hurts, the sooner we can begin the healing process and fix the problem. Step 2 – Use Is/should be discernment: Many times, we don’t face the painful reality because we think there is nothing wrong. We keep telling ourselves that things are better than they actually are just to find some comfort. To compou...