Patrick Lencioni's most recent book is The Advantage: Why Organisational Health Trumps Eveyrhting Else. He believes that all the competitive advantages that businesses have been pursuing over the years are gone - strategy, technology, finance, and marketing. No, those disciplines have not disappeared. They are all alive and well in most organisations. But as meaningful competitive … Continue reading The Advantage: Organisational Health – by Patrick Lencioni
8 Commitments for Small Group Leaders (Mark Howell)
Any church with over 50 people needs some form of small group ministry so that genuine relationships are developed and discipleship occurs. Whatever form of small group ministry you may, have is a helpful article on small group leadership by Mark Howell: Whether you use a low or high bar of small group leadership, I … Continue reading 8 Commitments for Small Group Leaders (Mark Howell)
The Blessings of Aging
In a culture that idolises youth, it's easy to lose the value and joy of aging. Yet, wisdom says: "The glory of young men is their strength; gray hair the splendor of the old (Proverbs 20:29)." Having turned 50 years of age not long ago, I know what it's like to start to feel your … Continue reading The Blessings of Aging
How the Mighty Fall
I took this picture while on a prayer retreat a few weeks back. It's hard to believe how this huge tree fell over, yet it did. It reminded me of some research work done by Jim Collins, the best-selling author of Built to Last and Good to Great. Collins is a student of companies and organisations - great ones, good … Continue reading How the Mighty Fall
Jesus and Leadership Selection
To: Jesus, Son of JosephWoodcrafter’s Carpenter ShopNazareth 25922 From: Jordan Management Consultants Dear Sir: Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for managerial positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; and we have not only run the results through our computer, but … Continue reading Jesus and Leadership Selection
Influencer – You Can Lead!
It’s amazing how something very small can eventually have a huge influence. Think of the tipping of a domino, the movement of a butterfly’s wings, the momentum of a snowball rolling down a hill or the spark of a small flame. Jesus understood this and told his disciples that they were like “salt and light” … Continue reading Influencer – You Can Lead!
Kairos – The Time of Opportunity
It is interesting to note that in the Greek language there are two words for time: chronos, which refers to the ongoing forward movement of time, and kairos, which refers to opportunity, or a favorable time. Jesus’ brothers wanted to push him into prominence (see John 7:1-8). Jesus knew that there was a right 'time' (Greek kairos) for him and … Continue reading Kairos – The Time of Opportunity
World Animal Day (October 4th)
Okay, so today is World Animal Day. World Animal Day was started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species. October 4 was chosen as World Animal Day as it is the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. … Continue reading World Animal Day (October 4th)
Thoughts
There is an old poem that goes like this ... Sow a thought, reap an act; Sow an act, reap a habit; Sow a habit, reap a character; Sow a character, reap a destiny Your life is shaped by your thoughts. Ultimately, you become what you think about. Life is lived ‘inside out’. It’s not what … Continue reading Thoughts
Atmosphere
Every room has an atmosphere – it includes factors such as the temperature of the room, the lighting, and the freshness of the air – or the lack of it. In the same way, every group – whether it’s a team or a family – has an atmosphere. It describes what it feels like to … Continue reading Atmosphere
Longings
Every human being has desires on the inside of them – longings for acceptance, for approval, for a sense of identity, for a sense of belonging, for significance and for a sense of purpose in life. Where do these longings come from? Are they merely a “wish projection” or could they indicate that there is … Continue reading Longings