Sometimes what we say can make a world of difference
Thanks again for everyone who came yesterday. As promised, here are the key slides, video links & notes from people who did a fantastic job of making me sound smarter than I actually am.
Video Links
Live Notes
Charts & Slides
If you are a leader, I want you to know about a recently released book that will help you in your leadership journey. Many of you are familiar with Catalyst, the innovative and experiential leadership movement that has been going on for now almost 14 years, and now one of America’s most influential leadership organizations, with conferences and leadership gatherings all around the US.
Well, recently Catalyst released a game changing book entitled The Catalyst Leader. My good friend, Brad Lomenick authors this leadership book, based on his 20 years of leadership experience, as well as the last 10 years experience as the president and lead visionary of Catalyst. In it Brad identifies and captures what he calls the 8 Essentials for Becoming a Change Maker. Ultimately identifying the essentials of a Catalyst Leader needed for leading well, and leading now.
You can purchase the book wherever books are sold or head to http://catalystleader.com to learn more. I can’t recommend this book enough, whether you are a young leader or seasoned sage. It’s filled with practical leadership advice and application.
The best leaders are the ones that are always learning. This is a resource worth checking out.
I’m amazed at the number of senior pastors that are stepping down—not only from leading their churches, but ministry in general—because they’re worn down physically, emotionally & spiritually by the labor of ministry.
Time after time I hear senior leaders tell me they are simply exhausted. And if you peek behind the curtain, more often than not it’s the ‘churched’ people in the congregation doing the damage through constant political battles, derailing vision and bickering over petty issues. If more people had the greater good in mind instead of focusing on their own agendas, one can only wonder what might happen to advance the Kingdom.
We have boards, elders and deacons to keep senior leaders accountable, but who is holding the congregation in check and to the same standards? Who is refueling the pastor?
It’s not only disheartening but alarming. Leaders once on fire with a vision to make a difference are leaving ministry. Not because of moral failures or scandal but because the daily grind of people and politics eventually took everything they had and left them with nothing more to offer.
Thoughts?
A lot of people ask me this. Especially my marketplace friends making a billion dollars more than me.
“Isn’t working with nonprofits.. well, not… profitable?” they tend to wonder aloud.
(It’s not. But that’s not the point.)
It’s because I’m desperately hoping more churches will do this:
You can read the full story, along with everyone else who’s welcome at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Community here. (Hat tip to Jon Acuff for the post)
Best part is this doesn’t require a talented graphic designer. Or custom series graphics. Or a big print budget.
But I bet it’s insanely effective.