One of the lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic has been how important our ‘first responder’ type roles are in our society. We have often undervalued these roles financially and otherwise. Pastors are one of the many types of first responders that have been critical for our society in the midst of the pandemic.  The truth […]

Leader health is essential to the effectiveness and longevity of leaders. In order to be healthy, leaders must engage in self-care. Generally, Christian leaders, especially pastors and those working in churches are terrible about self-care. Martyr Syndrome Many Christian leaders, church staff and pastors have a martyr syndrome. Somehow we have come to believe that […]

Leader health is essential to the effectiveness and longevity of leaders. Health does not happen by accident, it takes intentionality. Health is also not easy. Below are three of the key realities of leader health. Health Trumps Everything Patrick Lencioni, in his book, The Advantage, notes that ‘organizational health trumps everything.’ Not only have I […]

Leader health is essential to the effectiveness and longevity of leaders. Health does not happen by accident, it takes intentionality. Health is also not easy. Below are three of the hard realities of leader health. No one will guard your health for you You have to be the guardian of your own health, especially if […]

Leonard Sweet wrote a book, 11: Indispensable Relationships You Can’t Be Without. This book is a great resource for leaders, especially leaders in churches and faith based organizations. The summary list is below. 11 Indispensable Relationships by Leonard Sweet Editor-Nathan True Friend-Jonathan Butt-Kicker-Jethro Protege-Timothy Encourager-Barnabas Yoda-Peter/Paul Back-Coverer-Deborah Reject-Zacchaeus Little One-Rhoda VIP’s-Lydia & Lazarus, Rich & […]

Self-Care is especially important in this season of crisis, isolation and turbulence. Consider using the self-care inventory on a more regular basis. Setting boundaries around time off, sabbath and more are especially important in this time.

I read this quote recently: ”Churches do not grow without godly and gifted pastoral and lay leaders. Pastors are severely limited in their leadership effectiveness until they know how to lead authentically.” Our effectiveness is connected directly to our authenticity. Our ability to be authentic is directly tied to our health.  How can we better […]

Introduction: As I reflect on self-care there are three keys to being effective in self-care: self-knowledge, boundaries and intentionality. Over the next several blogs I will be talking about each of these factors.  There are certainly other key factors in effective self-care, however I have found these to be the most essential three. We cannot […]

We are reposting the self-care inventory because self-care is essential, especially in crisis. The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed our need for self-care in a powerful way. It has also given us the opportunity to freely practice self-care if we so choose. The goal of this inventory is to help ministry leaders reflect on their overall […]

Introduction: As I reflect on self-care there are three keys to being effective in self-care: self-knowledge, boundaries and intentionality. Over the next several blogs I will be talking about each of these factors.  There are certainly other key factors in effective self-care, however I have found these to be the most essential three. We cannot […]