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Category Archives: congregational life
It only takes a few of them
Forced terminations of clergy remains one of the most difficult, and often tragic, issues for congregations. A congregation can take years to recover from the forced termination o a pastor—and so also for the pastor. A single episode can become … Continue reading
Posted in bowen family systems theory, congregational life, leadership
Tagged church crisis, clergy, factions, forced termination, Israel Galindo, ministering to ministers foundation
Comments Off on It only takes a few of them
Are you enforcing your church’s child protection policy?
It’s hard to imagine but there are still churches that have no child protection policies in place. That’s just a tragedy waiting to happen. One related issue is that many congregations have adopted child protection policies but fail to ensure … Continue reading
Posted in children, congregational life
Tagged child protection policy, children, Israel Galindo
1 Comment
The five ‘must do’ things for ministry staff success
Previously we shared some thoughts from Lynn Turner, Associate Pastor of Youth, Career, and Discipleship at the First Baptist Church of Richmond, VA. We asked Lynn to share her thoughts about how to success in ministry with seminarians in my … Continue reading
Posted in congregational life, leadership, second chair
Tagged church staff, Israel Galindo, second chair
Comments Off on The five ‘must do’ things for ministry staff success
Five hazards for second chair leaders
Previously we shared some thoughts from Lynn Turner, Associate Pastor of Youth, Career, and Discipleship at the First Baptist Church of Richmond, VA. We asked Lynn to share her thoughts about ministry to seminarians in my course on “Thriving and … Continue reading
Posted in congregational life, leadership, second chair
Tagged church staff, Israel Galindo, second chair
Comments Off on Five hazards for second chair leaders
Book review: Understanding the Church, by Vogl and Fish
Well into this side of the millennial threshold, wading through the deepening waters of change, the issue of reexamining the nature and future of the church is foremost on the minds of theologians, church educators, ministers, and denominational leaders. What … Continue reading
Book review: Becoming a Healthy Church, by Macchia
What are the two greatest gifts given to us? According to Stephen A. Macchia in Becoming a Healthy Church: 10 Traits of a Vital Ministry (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books 2003) the Word of God and prayer are the two … Continue reading
Posted in books, congregational life, leadership
1 Comment
Roles vs. Function in BFST
I recently received an e-mail from a Leadership in Ministry Workshops participant asking about the distinction between role and function often made in Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST). This distinction is often difficult for folks to make, but I think … Continue reading
Posted in bowen family systems theory, congregational life, leadership
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Book review: They Smell Like Sheep, by Anderson
Who in the life of the Church can we look at as a clear leadership model for the church in the 21st century? Dr. Lynn Anderson answered this question in They Smell Like Sheep: Spiritual Leadership for the 21st Century … Continue reading
Posted in books, congregational life, leadership
Tagged Jon Messer, Lynn Anderson, They Smell Like Sheep
1 Comment
Book review: The Apathetic and Bored Church Member by Savage
Just about every year one of our doctoral students approaches me wanting to do a study on why church members leave their congregation. About half the time it’s clear about what’s behind the motivation for the study: anxiety from church … Continue reading
Posted in books, congregational life, leadership
1 Comment
Book review: Teaming Up, by Holderness and Hay
The move from rigid and isolated “committees†to a “team approach†continues in many congregations. Sometimes that movement is not much more than a re-organization and re-labeling that result in very little change. The fact is, as I like to … Continue reading
Posted in books, Christian Education, congregational life
Tagged Israel Galindo, youth education, youth ministry, youth programs
1 Comment
