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8 Ideas for Nurturing Healing and Health
“God is a God of whole-life health. Christ expects his church to engage actively in reaching the lost and setting the oppressed free—free from the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual barriers that rob all God’s children of abundant life,” says Pr. Mike Slaughter in this insightful reflection. (Photo: Photo © Warren Goldswain, Fotolia)
How to Form Habits
Whether you want to form better stewardship or leadership habits, here’s a quick read outlining 11 science-backed ways to form habits. After all, habits form almost 50% of our daily behaviors. Might as well make them good ones! (Photo:Â adriarichards, Creative Commons)
8 Reasons Leaders Need Solitude & 5 Doable Ways to Find It
In this week’s gospel lesson, Jesus hears everything his disciples have done and promptly invites them to “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest awhile” (Mark 6:30-31a). This is good advice that’s tough to take; in fact, it’s critical to our leadership, health, and spiritual and emotional well-being. Author and pastor Carey Nieuwhof has a few ideas to help. (Photo: Leland Francisco, Creative Commons)
A Mouthful of Divine Words
Narrative Lectionary Reflection (Year One, Week Ten), November 23, 2014
Jeremiah’s call to speak prophetically to God’s people is a tough one, but God puts the words in his mouth and goes with him. Yes, God equips ordinary people like you and like me to speak. When we do so, we can count on God to be sowing seeds of hope and abundance–even when the situation looks hopeless. (Photo: emdot, Creative Commons)
Fear of Drowning in the Seas of Change
Narrative Lectionary Year One Reflection for September 28, 2014
Exodus 14:10-14, 21-29
Fear of change affects our faith communities in much the same way it did God’s people leaving Egypt. Read on to see how this story can speak to today’s church and how stewardship is woven throughout. (Photo: CC-Archer, Creative Commons)
Opening Doors
Business author Bill Treasurer says “Effective leadership isn’t about having power over people, it’s about doing good for people.” Steward leaders can take good lessons from Treasurer’s new book, entitled “Leaders Open Doors.” (Photo: William Murphy, Creative Commons
Bill Hybels: The Work Habits of a Leader
Here is some important leadership advice from the founder and senior pastor of the Willow Creek Community Church. In contrast to what most people think, Hybels says the most important asset is not time, but rather the ability to energize and motivate others. Good watching, from churchleaders.com.
Beyond the Blind Spot
Stewardship program in a slump? Congregational enthusiasm flagging? Leaders feeling tired and battle-weary? If so, click here to read C. Otto Scharmer’s article on uncovering the blind spot(s) in leadership. While not aimed at faith communities, the principles are readily applied to congregational settings. (Photo: Nimish Gogri, Creative Commons)
Are Your Stewardship Leaders Leading?
Many churches are now firming up their plans for the fall stewardship program and who will lead it.  The leadership you engage will set the bar for your parish. For your parish to fulfill God’s vision for ministry, your leaders need to fully understand the roles they have been asked to fulfill and given clear […]
8 Ways Stewardship Will Transform Your Leadership
Good leadership begins and ends around the issue of stewardship. The whole idea of stewardship relates back to the concept of watching over something for someone else, taking care of something you don’t own. Good tips from ChurchLeader.com.
