Equipping Leaders To Multiply

Four Lessons for Raising Commitment Level, Pt 2

In 1983 Steve Jobs, Co-founder of Apple, sat with John Scully, the CEO of Pepsi, and challenged him with this question: “Scully do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugar water or do you want to change the world?”   That question caused Scully to leave Pepsi and serve as CEO of Apple for the next ten years.  Jesus laid down a similar challenge to a man he encountered on the road…Continue Reading

Four Lessons for Raising Commitment Level, Pt 1

A volunteer doesn’t show up, a staff member blows off a deadline or a key leader gives a half hearted effort.  A low commitment level of a team member can do serious damage to the focus of a leader, morale of a team and the success of a mission.  Therefore it’s essential as leaders that we know how to encourage the highest level of commitment from our followers.  Jesus and his disciples were making their way…Continue Reading

Softening the Call of Leadership

I found myself standing toe to toe recently with a potential new leader. As I took a deep breath and ask them to consider stepping into a new position I was overcome with the temptation to soften the call of leadership. I wanted to emphasize how little time it would take, how low the expectations were and how easy the position would be. The temptation to soften the call of leadership is huge. I was…Continue Reading

Please Come Board my Sinking Ship

What are you communicating when you ask someone to join your ministry team?  This is a really important question because what you’re communicating both verbally and non-verbally could determine if you get a “yes” or a “no”.  When you post a handwritten sign on the children’s ministry door that says, “Volunteers NEEDED!”  You’re communicating…there is a problem behind these doors. When you make an announcement from the pulpit saying, “we don’t have enough volunteers in…Continue Reading

But No One’s Ready to Lead

Have you ever asked this question: “Have you been able to identify a potential new leader in your small group?”  Only to get this answer: “No, I don’t think anyone’s ready yet.” You know it’s funny to me that Jesus always seemed recruit people who weren’t quite ready.  He looked at Matthew, a tax-collector, who everyone despised and said,” Come follow me; I want you on  my team.”  He took a couple of uneducated fishermen and…Continue Reading