Most churches have written bylaws or policies that explain how they are governed, what their belief system is, and what the rights and responsibilities of members are. Most churches have in their policies, rules about what to do when members “do each other wrong”, and when members “do wrong in the community”. Most churches have rules for who they will marry and under what circumstances. Most churches have rules stating the requirements for becoming a member or for holding church offices (elders, deacons, etc). Most churches have rules about what to do when a member of the staff or a volunteer leader misbehaves.

I think that having these rules is necessary. Many of the Pauline Epistles are filled with direction to the church around these types of issues, and their resolution, so it is clear that God values our conduct in these matters. But as important as having the rules is living by them and enforcing them with complete impartiality. A sure way to destroy a vibrant congregation over time is to continue to allow minor infractions of written rules and bylaws without consequence. In fact, I am quite sure that inconsistent application of rules is a sin. This sin has a name, “Partiality”. This sin has a more serious name, “Injustice”. Continue reading “Leadership, Policies, and Partiality” →

This post is about a leadership anti-pattern. Anti-patterns are practices or habits or patterns of behavior that should not be followed. This anti-pattern results in a feeling of unity within the leadership group of an organization, when in fact there is a good amount of ambivalence.

Ambivalence is a natural result in leadership having no stake in the outcome of the decision. Ambivalence is assent without passion or commitment. Ambivalence is approval with indifference. Ambivalence is “pushing a rope”. Ambivalence is LUKE WARM. D’ya know what our Lord said about luke warm? Continue reading “Unity of Ambivalence” →

I want to write this post to reflect that ministries require leaders to accept different roles and responsibilities, and people gravitate toward one set or type. God has gifted and talented each of us with a somewhat unique set of qualities and strengths that make some roles easier and other harder. While there is significant overlap between major role groups, passion is often the determining factor of this gravitation. Continue reading “Leadership and Passion” →

Mind you, I am writing this to myself as much as I am to anyone else. Leaders need to know how to treat others with respect and to be an encourager. Leaders need to balance this with the need to build trust and to help people be accountable.

I think that how we personally treat others who we work alongside in ministry is the greatest catalyst of deep connection within the body of Christ. I have also observed that it can be a powerful inhibitor for connection within the body. As leaders, one of the best ways to foster deep connection within our congregation is to have others work alongside us and each other to carry out the mission of the church. Continue reading “How We Treat Each Other” →

I was having a conversation with a brother the other day, and we were talking about Churches and Christians that exhibit some bad traits. Sometimes, we just plain get it wrong. Unfortunately, I am not talking about the truly heretical churches or people, but churches that look pretty normal and Christians that act pretty spiritual. Those who from a distance don’t appear to be that different from us. This is a hard post for me to write, because I don’t want it to be taken out of context, or to be read in a judgmental, critical way. I want each of us to be introspective, about ourselves, and the church we currently attend. I want each of us to take time to discern our own personal status, and that of our church. The point is not to point the finger outward, but self-evaluation. Continue reading “Church or Cult” →