Do you want to be strategic? Here are 7 tools to help you do just that!

Posted on August 29, 2023August 29, 2023 by stephe

I have always liked strategy games. It’s been a long time since I played a game of chess though. It really amazes me that grandmasters can see 15 to 20 moves ahead if given enough time. When it comes to living our lives though, and planning our ministry, we often live by default. We let life happen to us rather than identifying our passion, establishing a focus and stepping out with initiative as we move into Read more about Do you want to be strategic? Here are 7 tools to help you do just that![…]

What are the pros and cons of term limits in YWAM leadership?

Posted on January 30, 2023January 31, 2023 by stephe

When we hear the phrase ‘term limits’ or ‘terms of office’ we generally think about government roles and they can vary greatly. In the United States, the President is limited to two four-year terms, while in the United Kingdom, there is no term limit for the Prime Minister, with general elections held every five years. When we hear the phrase ‘term limits’ or ‘terms of office’ we generally think about government roles and they Read more about What are the pros and cons of term limits in YWAM leadership?[…]

What stage of development is your ministry experiencing?

Posted on August 29, 2022August 29, 2022 by stephe

This article identifies seven stages of growth in an organisation’s life and helps you to see where your ministry is currently functioning and the gifts that are needed to move to the next stage.

Margins: Are yours sufficient?

Posted on December 2, 2021December 2, 2021 by stephe

To enable everyone to stay safe during the past twenty months, we’ve become familiar with social distancing and keeping the right margin between each other. (Although these guys aren’t wearing their masks!). I want to think about the word ‘margin’ in a different way though. For this couple to sit talking on these benches, there had to be a decision to take some time out, to head to the park and sit down. We will Read more about Margins: Are yours sufficient?[…]

101. What’s been happening this year?

Posted on December 24, 2018March 7, 2019 by stephe

For many years now, going back as far as I can remember, we have had a custom of spending some time in debriefing at the end of each year. We have created or borrowed a different approach each year to keep it alive and interesting. We have also added times of contemplation and the use of pictures, symbols and art to help visualize what has taken place. So, I would like to present you with Read more about 101. What’s been happening this year?[…]

86. How are you managing people?

Posted on August 13, 2017April 6, 2020 by stephe

Isn’t it funny how particular words mean different things in different cultures and organisations? Being a visionary organisation as YWAM, the word pastoring didn’t initially sit with us so well. We are about reaching the world, denying self and completing the great commission. Where is the accomplishment in looking after people’s needs? We DO care about people but often it’s not considered THE priority! Another word that we don’t gravitate to is management! We are quick Read more about 86. How are you managing people?[…]

83. Do you have enough margin?

Posted on May 13, 2017April 6, 2020 by stephe

I was reading Adele Ahlberg Calhoun’s book called Spiritual disciplines handbookthe other day and she relates the following story: A friend of mine tells of how the word of God came to her one day through her four-year-old daughter. The mother was busy hurrying her daughter out the door when the little girl replied, “Mommy. Stop. Why are we always in a hurry when we never go anywhere important?” The little girl intuitively knew that Read more about 83. Do you have enough margin?[…]

77. What leadership lessons have you learned?

Posted on November 13, 2016April 6, 2020 by stephe

You may have read John Maxwell’s book the 21 laws of leadership. As I was reading I began to recognise some of the laws or values or lessons that I live by as a leader and things that I desire to pass on to others. Here are 21 of them: Leadership is influence: If you want to know what influence you have, just watch when you speak – who listens? Watch when you share an Read more about 77. What leadership lessons have you learned?[…]

61. Do you feel indispensable?

Posted on July 12, 2015April 6, 2020 by stephe

When you have been leading something for a long time, it’s easy to feel like the ministry couldn’t continue without you! Actually that may be true – especially if you haven’t trained anyone up to take it on from you. However, generally, we are far less indispensable than we think! So this letter is about the importance of delegation. On the one hand, I have made my worst mistakes in delegating poorly to the wrong people Read more about 61. Do you feel indispensable?[…]