Change or Die

Tom Ehrich is a gifted observer of contemporary church life with some specific suggestions about what we can do to be more effective as the people of God.  Read this article for more information.

Created by Ircel Jan 18, 2010 at 8:23pm. Last updated by Ircel Jan 19.

Three Questions Executives Should Ask for the New Year

As we begin a new year, we can seize the opportunity for self evaluation.  Read this article and then ask yourself these questions:

1. If there was only one thing I could do to

Created by Ircel Jan 6, 2010 at 7:04pm. Last updated by Ircel Jan 7.

Virtual Peer Group

Iwould like to invite you to join me in an experiment with a teleconference peer group.

Created by Ircel Dec 16, 2009 at 3:19pm. Last updated by Ircel Dec. 18, 2009.

The Five Secrets of Innovation

A CNN report states that "innovation is not an inherent trait, it's a set of skills that anyone can learn."  Researchers say they have identified five skills that drive innovation:

Associating: The ability to connect seemingly unrelated questions, problems or ideas from different fields.

Questioning: Innovators constantly ask questions that challenge the common wisdom. They ask "why?", "why not?" and "what if?"

Observi

Created by Ircel Dec 13, 2009 at 8:56pm. Last updated by Ircel Dec. 14, 2009.

How to Write a Mission Statement That Isn't Dumb

We talk a lot about mission and vision statements.  I believe such statements can serve a valuable purpose for a person or an organization, but too often they are cliche burdened, overreaching exercises in jargon.  This article in Fast Company reflects on writing clear, authentic, action-oriented goals.

Created by Ircel Dec 13, 2009 at 8:07pm. Last updated by Ircel Dec. 14, 2009.

Can an Introvert Lead?

As an introvert, I certainly appreciate this article. Continue

Created by Ircel Dec 12, 2009 at 7:39pm. Last updated by Ircel Dec. 13, 2009.

How a Mighty Church Falls

Jim Collins' book How the Mighty Fall has much wisdom to offer to all types of organizations.  Pastor Gordon MacDonald has authored a book review on this book.  I hope you will access it here.  I think it will be helpful to you. Continue

Created by Ircel Dec 1, 2009 at 5:10pm. Last updated by Ircel Dec. 1, 2009.

Practicing Greatness

I use Reggie McNeal's book Practicing Greatness:  7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders in the Formation for Ministry class that I teach at the Central Baptist Seminary center in Murfreesboro.  The students this semester come from diverse backgrounds, but all have "life experience" as well as being church leaders already. They were all very positive about the book. 

Created by Ircel Nov 22, 2009 at 4:34pm. Last updated by Ircel Nov. 22, 2009.

Being Part of a Ministry Team

Here are a few questions to ask about any staff situation (based on Ralph Hardee, Formation for Christian Ministry, pp. 185ff):

Created by Ircel Nov 21, 2009 at 3:18pm. Last updated by Ircel Nov. 21, 2009.

Change IS Personal!

Key quote from an article on organizational change:

Change will always be a constant.  For organizations to succeed and grow its people, the best thing they can do is continually reinvent whether it's radical creation or tweaking along the way.  But remember, it's all about people, relationships, trust and respect. 

It is personal!

Read more

Created by Ircel Nov 7, 2009 at 10:53am. Last updated by Ircel Nov. 7, 2009.