Leaders are learners. Disciples are learners. To be a Christian leader means that you are a life-long learner. The hunger for knowledge is essential to leadership. I am always learning something new, whether I want to or not. That said, it is critical to the health of any leader that we continue to learn new […]

Nothing makes up for time, especially quality time. Often in ministry leadership, our friends and family get the leftovers of our time. We often feel so compelled to honor our ministry call that we forget that our first call is to our family. Are you making intentional and unintentional time with your family? Who gets […]

Check out this blog post for Preparing for Amazement Ministries about the verse, A Prophet is Without Honor.

This is a question in the vocational health section of our self-care inventory for pastors and ministry leaders.  Ministry leadership, especially pastoral ministry is a lonely and isolating life. We all need a support system, especially when we are in leadership. It is hard to for leaders to find safe support. It is difficult for […]

We are facing a full-blown pastor crisis.  Currently, there is a massive shortage of clergy/pastors and other church staff. The signs are everywhere.  Because of the work I do, it is much easier to see the negative than the positive. That said, I generally tend to be a hopeful, optimistic and positive person. I am […]

This is one of the most talked about and striking questions in the self-care inventory.  As I write this, we are experiencing an unprecedented pastor crisis in the United States. Many pastors have just had enough, regardless of whether or not they fell called or trapped.  Ministry is not easy and it is not like […]

Check out this reflection from the website for Preparing for Amazement Ministries.

My youth leader in high school always encouraged me to be a FAT Christian: -Faithful -Available -Teachable Sure, its cheesy, but its also accurate. For me, it was also effective. Today, I do not have to think about these things (that is not to say that I have perfected them), they are a part of […]

Below is a post I wrote for Preparing for Amazement Ministries Messages for the Younger Marcus In line with a blog post written by one of our coaches, Jessica Carlson, I thought it would be good to share the messages I would give to the younger me after more than 25 years in ministry. Find […]

Recently a young leader asked me what were some of the key things they needed to know about leader health. I was not prepared for it, but here was my list. Sabbath. Seriously. Self-knowledge is critical. Health Trumps.  What would be your list?