Leadership

I'm Still Clay

I’ll never forget the evening a potter came to our church. He brought his wheel and some clay he had dug out of the river behind his house. What a mess! This clay was soupy and dirty and mixed with debris. (I always thought clay came in those little plastic packages I was given in kindergarten!)

In fact, the clay was so dirty that the first 15 minutes of the potter’s demonstration was spent cleaning it up. When it comes to clay, the purifying process is a big part of its ultimate usefulness.

Then, the artistry began. Out ...

Four Traits of a Leader

What is the essence of distinctive Christian leadership?

Interestingly, as we read through the Scriptures, there is no such thing as a particular leadership personality profile. There are extroverts, but there are also shy, reticent people—like Gideon, hiding from the enemy, whom God still called a “mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12).

Leaders in the Bible do not come from a certain social class, family pedigree, or educational background. There were very educated people like Daniel, and there were farmers like Amos and fishermen like Peter.

However, there are four things that everyone God trusted with His assignments had in ...

Prayer-Energized Ministry

A few weeks ago, I had lunch with my friend Woody. He is a seasoned, unassuming pastor whom God has used to lead an incredible church in the community where I live. Woody’s journey is an inspiring example of how God can change the hearts of leaders and radically reshape their ministry approach.

I have heard Woody say on numerous occasions that for many years he made his strategic plans for church ministry, hoping God would bless and join the leaders in what they were trying to accomplish. (By the way, this is the predominant approach to church leadership ...

Real World: I think I'll quit

The Scenario

Share the Message

I can hardly imagine what Isaiah must have been feeling when he was caught up in a vision so glorious that it overwhelmed his senses (Isaiah 6). The blinding brightness and awesome spectacle of heaven brought the prophet to his knees in utter terror. He thought this must be his last moment—surely no human eyes could endure the sight of such majesty.

Yet to this “ruined” man who lived among a people of “unclean lips,” an angel brought a symbol of cleansing and renewal. Then, a divine question from the King of heaven: “Whom shall I send?”

Who will ...