Month: March 2013

The third morning was about "leadership succession." I was asked to speak and here is a summary of what I shared. Out Story CityLife Church (originally called Waverley Christian Fellowship) is a multi-site church based in Melbourne, Australia. It began in 1967 with a small group of people led by its founding pastor, Richard Holland. … Continue reading Leadership Succession (Mark Conner)

The first morning of our gathering focused on "leadership wounds." Restoring Wounded Soldiers Pastor Abe Huber, who pastors a church of 60,000 people in Brazil, noted that the church is the only army that shoots its own wounded. How can we do better? 1. Don't forget the good that wounded or fallen soldiers have done. … Continue reading Leadership Wounds

Last week, I spent a few days in Dallas, USA with leaders of a number of significant churches from around the world (primarily the non-Western world). I love to be around leaders who have more capacity and experience than I do. It is a terrific opportunity to learn and grow. It stretches and challenges me. … Continue reading Learning from Leaders

The more involved you become in church leadership and ministry, the greater the temptation is to lead by your own gifts and abilities rather than out of intimacy with Jesus Christ. A daily relationship with Jesus is the key to freshness in ministry and an ability to impart life to people, rather than just run … Continue reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders – #7 Pray

It is essential that ministry leaders keep growing and developing their God-given potential. 1 Tim 4:12-16. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. … Continue reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders – #6 Grow

It is so easy to become busy managing what currently exists, that we fail to take time to improve what we’re doing let alone consider doing things differently or doing new things. As leaders, we must work on tomorrow not just keep up with today. This is what innovation is all about.  We serve a … Continue reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders – #5 Innovate

Much of your effectiveness as a leader will be directly related to your ability to build a team of people who are passionately committed to the ministry you lead. Team building is leadership the way God designed it (Mark 1:16-17. Eph.4:11-16). The “team building” process includes four important tasks: 1. Gather – recruit people to … Continue reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders – #4 Build Your Team

In addition to leading your ministry, you must also manage it well (1 Tim.3:4-5, 12). “Leadership” can be defined as “doing right things” (effectiveness). “Management” is “doing things right” (efficiency). Both are important and necessary in ministry. Managing involves a number of tasks: 1. Leading - management involves ensuring that everyone knows the specific purpose … Continue reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders – #3 Manage

Although there is to be one mission and one direction for each church, there are many expressions or ways that these are outworked. Like a highway with many lanes, a growing church provides opportunity for many different and unique ministries to thrive and flourish within the context of its overall purpose, as long as there … Continue reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders – #2 Lead

Every leader needs to first of all be a good follower. In fact, your ability to lead well is directly influenced by your ability to follow well. The apostle Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” (1 Cor.11:1). As church leaders, we too are to follow Christ by imitating him in character, who we … Continue reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders – #1 Follow

The Importance of Leadership Church and ministry leaders have a wide variety of tasks and responsibilities. These may include preaching, teaching, pastoral care, training and coaching others. One of our main tasks is to lead and God wants us to do this with the very best of our ability. Romans 12:6-8. In his grace, God … Continue reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders