2010
The Church Bashing Trend
Kathryn Stockett's The Help has been one of my recently treasured reads. An intricate tale of racism in Jackson, Mississippi, that I found myself both enthralled and appalled with as I turned her pages.
Sotckett, anticipating this judgment on her home state said, "Mississippi is like my mother. I am allowed to complain about her all I want, but God help the person ...
Casting Vision, Leading Up
Sue Miller is a pioneer among female leaders. She is a vision-caster, a people-builder, and a woman who knows—from the inside—how to change the church. Sue is revolutionized children's ministry in our generation, beginning with Willow Creek and expanding throughout the country with the publication of the book, Making Your Children's Ministry the Best ...
Stepping Out: Guilt, Failure and Trust
Making the call about when and how to step out of a leadership role tops my all-time list of "Things I Hate." I would venture to guess that you've been there; that the struggle leaders face over when, how and why to step away—although circumstantially unique—are somewhat common.
Earlier this year, I stepped out of a role that played a significant ...
Leading Confidently
One of the greatest monsters that I wrestle with in my leadership is being confident in the calling and gifting God has for me. I battle the usual suspects of insecurity, fear and the obsessive need to compare myself to others. These enemies to my confidence can get the best of me if I let them.
One of my favorite leaders from Scripture is Deborah. I love to unpack the ...
Dare to Lead from Healing
Many leaders believe that to lead well they have to superimpose winning strategies upon themselves. In reality, great leadership flows from a healed heart. The best thing you can do for your "followers" (whether that be in work, friendships or family) is to run after personal healing.
Cheryl learned this difficult lesson when she worked for a ministry leader ...
'Wild-Hearted' Daughters
If you read the GFL e-newsletter, you may recall my mention of a certain giddiness when I saw an ad for a one-day conference about "Women and Christian History" being held right in my neighborhood. Well, this past weekend, I went.
Some highlights for me included seeing archaeological evidence of women priests, deacons and elders in the early church, and that ...
Playing the 'God Card'
Have you ever thrown down the God Card? Playing the God Card happens whenever one uses "God told me" as the ultimate justification for a decision that requires group consensus. Picture a meeting about budget allocation or using space in the building or ministry direction, and someone goes "all-in." They might say: "I really feel like God wants this ...
The Big Dig: Unearthing Need in the Church
Since I was small, I have enjoyed the idea of archaeology. Whether a fictional exposition in the movies or the images of real life expositions, I have always been intrigued—not just by the discovery, but primarily by the process. Of course, all sizes of tools are used by archaeologists during their digs for historical artifacts, but I am most captivated by the painstaking ...
Trusting God the Way We Should
A deadline looms. A project hangs over my head, unfinished. The to-do list stretches by the minute. The laundry pile grows, and the dishes overflow the sink. And I just can't focus enough to finish anything.
I bet you know the feeling.
The guilt of what's left undone starts to get the best of me. I begin to beat myself up over my lack of focus and discipline. ...
Same Message, Different Vehicle
In 1984, I wanted to be Sandra Day O'Conner, the first woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. I wrote to her and tacked her signed picture on my bulletin board. She was a pioneer, and even as an eight-year-old, I revered the place she had made for herself in what I considered a man's world. This month, Elena Kagan became the fourth woman to sit on the court. Of ...
