Pastor’s Perspective

The 12 Week Year

I loved The 12 week Year! It captures a lot of what I have learned about time management, and took some of those concepts further than I have on my own.

It’s very hard to keep any kind of focus for a full year. I try to do that, but I find myself starting and stopping often over the course of the year (and I’m pretty goal-oriented). Every time I have shortened the time frame I focus on, I find myself more productive, more efficient, and more satisfied overall with what I’m accomplishing.

One of the big pluses of this approach is the review week. Push hard in a focused way for twelve weeks, and then take a week to review and plan the next twelve. I like the symmetry (more…)

Generational IQ

Generational IQ was a fascinating look at the differences between the generations and how those differences are expressed related to spirituality. I found it tremendously insightful and helpful in understanding the different values and approaches that the different generations have.

Rather than a particular insight from the book, I found myself pondering how to take those differences into account from a teaching or preaching perspective. Clearly, the different generations see things differently, and understand and value things differently. Is it possible to cross those lines successfully? Is it possible to speak to all the generations effectively? When one values community, and another generation values individuals, how do you communicate with both? (more…)

The Four Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership

In The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership, Jenni Catron does a great job of giving a holistic view of leadership, grounded in some basic Bible truths. I found myself stimulated on several levels. It’s a great book for those who want to increase their understanding of how their own leadership operates and gives some steps forward to grow as a leader, no matter where you are starting from.

I loved the emphasis on the importance of being able to lead ourselves. The longer I go on in leadership, the more importance I place on that truth. I think it is often the one thing more than any other that will make or break a leader. (more…)

Leadership is an Art

Leadership is an Art is one book that has shaped my understanding of leadership as much as any other. In some ways it is hard to read; it’s more a collection of insights than a story. But I have found some of those insights to be quite profound.

I’ll share two of them with you. (more…)

The Art of Neighboring

The Art of Neighboring is a clarion call to something that is basic but forgotten in today’s world—loving our neighbors. Pathak and Ruyon challenge us to take that call literally—develop real relationships with the people who live right around us.

At first as I read through it, I thought “this is so basic—nothing really new here.” However, as I started thinking about actually acting on what was said, and what the status of my relationships with my neighbors really looked like, I found myself rethinking that. (more…)

The Catalyst Leader

In The Catalyst Leader, Brad Lomenick does a great job of outlining the key qualities leaders need if they are going to really be change makers and outlines the challenges leaders face when trying to step into that calling.

I was particularly captured by this sentence: “John Maxwell says people will describe your life in one sentence—so what is the sentence you want people to use to describe you when you leave this world?” (more…)

Gaining By Losing

I really loved J.D. Greear’s Gaining by Losing. I also found it very challenging and found myself reconnecting with some deep convictions that I have carried for years regarding the purpose of the church. At the end of the day, making disciples is what we are called to do; everything else we do ultimately needs to serve that purpose.

I have sought for many years to encourage and equip believers to engage with the people around them who don’t know Jesus. It’s one of the most challenging tasks any church leader can take on. (more…)

Own the Room

I was challenged by Own the Room. The language and approach is different from what I am used to, so I had to really think about the material.

As I worked through it, there was one particular idea I took hold of and am thinking more about: how we all have a default way of communicating, one that is natural to us and has probably been effective in different situations. (more…)