RCL Lectionary Reflection, Third Sunday in Lent, Year A, March 15, 2020 The stock market! COVID-19! Climate change! How do we lead, serve, and preach/teach to the Body of Christ when anxiety is pretty much at flood level for a lot of folks? What do this week’s lessons have to say to those of us called to lead in times like these? Plenty! (Photo: Kenny Uhh Creative Commons)
“When each of us, following our leaders, examines our own privileges, power, and resources, and thoughtfully understands how we got them and when to intentionally let them go, it leads to a better community—one we all benefit from, ” writes non-profit executive Vu Le, citing the most valuable and best leadership trait today is willingness to […]
Part of good leadership is the ability to see compassionately. Effective leaders who desire to build bridges and bring people together learn to be present, attentive, and aware of those around them. Read this excerpt adapted from C. Paul Schroeder’s book Practice Makes Purpose: Six Spiritual Practices That will Change Your Life and Transform Your Community.
It seems that tragedy and terror strike ever more frequently. God’s people are needed now more than ever to provide a faithful witness and the presence of Christ in word and Sacrament. We need to show up, to take the cross of Christ into this beautiful and broken world. Pastor and writer Carey Nieuwhof offers […]
Whether you want to form better stewardship or leadership habits, here’s a quick read outlining 11 science-backed ways to form habits. After all, habits form almost 50% of our daily behaviors. Might as well make them good ones! (Photo: adriarichards, Creative Commons)
In this week’s gospel lesson, Jesus hears everything his disciples have done and promptly invites them to “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest awhile” (Mark 6:30-31a). This is good advice that’s tough to take; in fact, it’s critical to our leadership, health, and spiritual and emotional well-being. Author and pastor Carey Nieuwhof has a few ideas to help. (Photo: Leland Francisco, Creative Commons)
Narrative Lectionary Reflection (Year One, Week Ten), November 23, 2014
Jeremiah’s call to speak prophetically to God’s people is a tough one, but God puts the words in his mouth and goes with him. Yes, God equips ordinary people like you and like me to speak. When we do so, we can count on God to be sowing seeds of hope and abundance–even when the situation looks hopeless. (Photo: emdot, Creative Commons)
Narrative Lectionary Year One Reflection for September 28, 2014
Exodus 14:10-14, 21-29
Fear of change affects our faith communities in much the same way it did God’s people leaving Egypt. Read on to see how this story can speak to today’s church and how stewardship is woven throughout. (Photo: CC-Archer, Creative Commons)
Business author Bill Treasurer says “Effective leadership isn’t about having power over people, it’s about doing good for people.” Steward leaders can take good lessons from Treasurer’s new book, entitled “Leaders Open Doors.” (Photo: William Murphy, Creative Commons
Here is some important leadership advice from the founder and senior pastor of the Willow Creek Community Church. In contrast to what most people think, Hybels says the most important asset is not time, but rather the ability to energize and motivate others. Good watching, from churchleaders.com.
