Pastor + Author
Recently I filmed a 90 Second Leadership video for LifeWay Leadership on this important insight that reveals how we best learn.
I hope you enjoy it!
If you like what you saw on this video, I elaborate on this concept further in my book, No Silver Bullets: Five Small Shifts that will Transform Your Ministry.
Click here to watch other 90 Second Leadership videos by LifeWay Leadership.
If you don’t have a budget set aside for development, then make sure you get one next year! If it’ll help, consider sharing this article with your boss. After all, leaders are learners, aren’t they?
What if you’re the one who sets the budget? Have you ever considered that the types of proposals coming in, the amount given to each team member, and how your team looks at development reveals a lot about your culture?
On the one hand, if you develop your people, they might outgrow their job, realize the weaknesses on your team, and/or now have a new set of skills that’ll set them up for another role somewhere else.
On the other hand, if you don’t develop your people, their performance can stagnate, they might not innovate, and you’ll essentially be cultivating a culture of mediocrity, maintenance, or at best, incremental growth.
[Read more…] about To Develop or Not To Develop?
This was the opening line to an article I wrote a couple years ago on why everyone should be reading multiple books at the same time.
With the number of books I now listen to on Audible (get 2 FREE audiobooks), and the number of podcasts I am subscribed to, the only thing I’d add to that quote (a couple years later) is the word listening.
As a discipline, I typically read and listen pretty broadly (there are five categories I generally stick to) in addition to my daily Bible reading. However, this year, I wanted to try something different.
In years past, Lesslie Newbigin has been that guy for me. In the area of missiology and missional life, he is the one who has most informed my thinking and practice. I’m not about to abandon him, but I did want to spend a year (or two) going deep into the theology, thinking, practice, and disciplines of another individual—Timothy Keller.
From a distance, I’ve always respected him. In fact, I’ve led multiple groups through his excellent Reason for God book and small group study. However, a couple months ago, when I met him in person through a leadership event that Ed Stetzer and I convene twice a year (CPLF), I was blown away.
[Read more…] about A Year (or Two) to Study Timothy Keller
Reading and learning are the gasoline to my car. I’ve discovered that, the more I’m reading and learning, the further I can go in life and the better that I can come up with ideas and strategies to implement and execute them.
I love the following quotes about reading:
Some books are to be tested, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested – Francis Bacon
Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body – Richard Steele
A person who won’t read has no advantage over one who can’t read – Mark Twain
He that loves reading has everything within his reach – William Godwin
The greatest innovations in history have often resulted when two seemingly disparate ideas, from different disciplines, are brought together. That’s why I’m always challenging myself to read from different disciplines, all at the same time.
With my current responsibilities in directing LifeWay’s initiative to resource church planters, multisite churches, and multipliers at NewChurches.com, in addition to consulting denominations and networks, writing books, preaching regularly, and leading a software development initiative to transform the way churches and denominations assess, train, and coach, I have a lot on my plate. That’s why I need to keep my mind sharp by reading, learning, and growing.
Here’s what I’m currently working on:
[Read more…] about Why You Should Read Multiple Books at the Same Time
Watch this high school teacher, Paul Andersen, explain how he is using technology and gaming to improve learning and engagement in his AP Biology classroom!