Blog
This week, two different coaching clients have wanted to talk about the same issue. How do you have a supervisory conversation with a member of the staff team who performs well on the essential functions of their job, but has some personality issues? (In one case the employee displays a very pessimistic attitude about everything; […]
Read MoreOkay, so I need help on this one. I’m writing a new book on the large congregation (targeted at congregations with worshiping communities between 300 and 1,800). It’s about the uniqueness of the large church from a leadership and structural perspective. I’ll be introducing a size typology for large congregations to replace the traditional “corporate” […]
Read MoreOne of the core competencies for effectively pastoring the large church is sufficient ego strength to fill the role. Here’s how I would define ego strength. Demonstrates strong and appropriate personal boundaries in relationships; has a healthy appreciation of self as differentiated from role; is emotionally mature; can maintain a nonanxious presence in the midst […]
Read MoreLately, I seem to be running into conversations about endowments everywhere I turn. This weekend I was with a group of denominational leaders who were grappling with policy around establishing and drawing down on endowments. This coming week I’ll be at the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes in Austin, TX and the planned curriculum has […]
Read MoreChange in the senior leadership of a congregation is fraught with opportunity and danger. A congregation in the midst of senior clergy transition is likely to experience high levels of anxiety and energy manifested in stagnation, conflict, or in brilliant creativity and rebirth. The Interim period has long been viewed as a special time in […]
Read MoreChange in the senior leadership of a congregation is fraught with opportunity and danger. A congregation in the midst of senior clergy transition is likely to experience high levels of anxiety and energy manifested in stagnation, conflict, or in brilliant creativity and rebirth. The Interim period has long been viewed as a special time in […]
Read MoreRecently, a coaching client asked me this provocative question, “What are some common leadership mistakes that you’ve seen female heads of staff make?” The question was posed by a woman who is considering applying for the senior pastor role in a large congregation. Here is how I answered her. “The most common leadership error that […]
Read MoreI just stumbled across this synopsis of, ” Thirteen Trends and Forces Affecting the Future of Faith Formation in a Changing Church and World“. This piece was written as part of a broader study on the future of faith formation by Lifelong Faith Associates. It doesn’t have anything in it that is brand new, but it’s a remarkably […]
Read MoreThere is no such thing as a typical work day or week in the life of an Alban consultant. My prayer discipline or lack thereof, reflects the chaos of the work schedule. Oftentimes I work on weekends, but other times I have weekends off and work more intensely in the middle of the week. Some […]
Read MoreMany large congregations are asking the question, “What is our obligation to the struggling smaller and mid-sizedcongregations in our Conferences/Regions/Districts?” Or, if the church is not asking the question, the middle judicatory is asking the question for them. Some large congregations think of themselves as resource centers for neighboring congregations. They design programs and ministries with the intent […]
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