The phrase "you've got a lot of potential" is a double-edged sword.On the one hand, it is certainly an encouragement to know that you have talents and abilities that are just waiting to be unleashed.On the other hand, a lot of people allow their "potential" to become...

Our pastoral staff spent Sunday night and all day Monday in Blowing Rock, NC.It was a time of retreat, renewal, and connection.It was also a result of my commitment to be more focused and diligent in my leadership of my friends and colleagues on the staff.As I've...

I heard someone teach not too ago that "Leadership is stewardship -- it's temporary and you are accountable." There's a lot in that one sentence. But the word that draws me in is "temporary." I believe that leadership is at God's discretion, not ours. I serve at Good...

Not long ago, I ran across a two part quote that I'll actually touch on this Sunday:Good leaders inspire people to have confidence in them (the leader).Great leaders inspire people to have confidence in themselves.Whoa. In my dealings with the other staff here at Good...

I am blessed.That might be an odd first sentence for a post with the title "Addiction Epidemic," but it's true.It's true because people trust me with some of the most serious areas of their lives. That's quite an honor.And the thing that keeps coming into my office is...

I was away this weekend at my nephew's wedding in Highlands, North Carolina. It's a pretty spectacular place and the wedding itself kept pace with its surroundings.But when I checked back in to church on Sunday night, I noticed that some of the blinds in the Worship...

One of my biggest struggles as a pastor is to distinguish between the important and the urgent. Things that are important have more of a long term value: strategic planning, creative brainstorming, sermon writing, staff development and mentoring. All those take time....

One of my favorite people once said in a sermon, "Sarcasm is a spiritual gift and I have it." I do, too.It's been part of the way I talk and the way I laugh for years. I vividly remember a whole group of us in middle school who used "opposite talk" for everything.But...

As part of our KCI vacation (see yesterday's post), Julie and I went jet skiing on Saturday. It's only the second time I've ever been.The most interesting thing about jet skiing is managing the wake left by other watercraft. Jet skiing is fine as long as the water is...

I have an Encouragement File that I keep in the drawer closest to my chair at the office. That's where I put all the attaboys I receive: cards, letters, and emails from people who have taken the time to tell me I'm doing a good job at one facet of ministry or...