Happy new year to you. I am a self-confessed goal setter. I have had this habit for many years and as I look back over my journey, I have seen many goals reached. But I am also aware of the failures in the process. Failure is part of growth, and we need to build resilience to push through the failures and press on to see the development we long for. Any research scientist will tell Read more about Do you set goals for personal growth?[…]
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![…]
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?[…]
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.
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?[…]
When was the last time you assessed the impact of technology in your life? My mum is 95 years old and has never been good with technology. She has never driven a car, never watched a video, never sent a text or opened a website, never held a smart phone or even know what an app is. All she knows is to turn on the TV and to push the red button on her landline Read more about 107. How is technology impacting your life?[…]
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?[…]
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?[…]
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?[…]
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?[…]