Are you an inspirational leader? There are three steps you can take right now to become more inspirational:  #1 = Lead with the why People need to know the purpose behind the work. Particularly over the past few years, team members have determined that they want to give their lives to something that matters. #2 = Celebrate progressLook back. Make sure everyone on the team knows that you see what t...  Read More

Recently I started serving as a Hospice Chaplain in addition to serving at Life Church. With my ADHD, choosing to do chaplaincy visitations is not my strongest gifting. It’s part of a huge shift I’ve intentionally made in my life and leadership.My reasons for serving the terminally ill and dying in this way is two-fold. The first reason is because I have felt deeply challenged by Bob Goff to live ...  Read More

I hopped on the treadmill and fired up my iPad to catch up on the day's headlines. I wasn’t prepared for the news from The Washington Post: Billy Graham’s grandson steps down from Florida megachurch after admitting an affair. My heart dropped and I felt deep compassion for the family.If your first response to someone’s failure isn’t forgiveness, then you have missed the gospel. Nobody is perfect. ...  Read More

Reading Luke at the moment. Gotta love Jesus.Puts down the hammer aged 30 (Luke 3:23) and, in his distinctive northern accent announces he's the long hoped for Messiah (4:21). He's like a car mechanic from rural Ukraine telling the crowd he's destined for world domination.In Luke 5 he starts recruiting for his kingdom and heads straight for the docks to head hunt a few unsuccessful fishermen, next...  Read More

Listen, nothing is going to work in your church if EVERYTHING has to go through you.Like sands sifting through an hourglass, you will become the middle squeeze that slows everything down.In Numbers 11, Moses grew frustrated in leadership.  He even started to see his people as a BURDEN instead of a BLESSING!If that's you, it's time to develop more leaders:Carve out strategic time to take out an eme...  Read More

Before the quarantine, the median worship attendance was 65. Today it is 55. In 2000, the median worship attendance was 137. In 2010 it was 105. In 2020 it was 65. Today it is 55. Median worship attendance has declined by 60% in two decades.The occupancy rate of worship centers was 33% before the quarantine. Today it is 28%. The median size of a worship center is 200. If the church has more than o...  Read More

Staying organized is a constant battle when you're leading a growing church.For what it's worth, there are several tech tools that I've discovered which make my life happy.Here are the tools I use. I am a HUGE notetaker and constantly am churning through Moleskins.  The problem I have is keeping my various notes organized by subject and having no way to quickly access my notes digitally.  Enter Re...  Read More

What it takes to be a GREAT Campus LeaderBIG IDEA: Campus Leaders have Hustle + Intensity about the Total Guest ExperienceHustle = Self-Led CHASES Jesus on their own with passionINITIATIVE - Does not need constant motivationJon would rather REIGN IN a STALLIONthan MOTIVATE a MULE!Secure as a Son of the House (Old Testament Idea)- Son of the House > Hired Hand- As the House spreads out, the Sons ha...  Read More

Core Values are important in any organization as they articulate the kind of organization we dream of becoming.Putting into words the culture you are seeking to model into existence is hard work.During my recent doctoral studies, I've been refreshing Life Church's Core Values for the journey ahead.  For what it's worth, here are our Core Values, Version 2.0... We Are United Under One VisionTo reac...  Read More

Nobody enjoys a car wreck, but we all inevitably slow down in traffic to peer out the window as we drive by, attempting to ascertain what happened and to (hopefully) learn something that will prevent such a tragedy from happening to us.With over 20 years of full-time ministry under my belt (plus another 20+ as a pastor's kid), I've seen my share of ugly wrecks in church world.  I'm sure you've als...  Read More

Leaders and comedians share the same struggle: Creativity Constipation.You know that great idea is in your noggin' somewhere, but it just isn't coming out.Dry seasons happen; the inspiration is quenched and decisions become tougher to make.I remember talking with my improv teacher Mick Napier (pictured above) back in my Chicago comedy days about what to do when you don't know what to do.  Mick gav...  Read More

Marines get stuff done.They face impossible missions yet always prevail. 2 Timothy 2:1-6 tells leaders to think like a marine. During a recent Coaching Session, I shared 8 Leadership Lessons from the Marine Corp: Common Sense Principles for Success.I hope these 8 Leadership Lessons encourage you and your team to fearlessly lead your church to grow!...  Read More