Leadership potential exists in almost every person, but people’s capacity to lead will vary greatly. Their development will be a unique journey, one which requires five dimensions to be addressed. These will define the SCOPE of someone’s ultimate influence, which matters greatly for existing Christian leaders for whom the development of others is a core practice of great importance. Continue reading
One of the simplest and most foundational aspects of the Christian faith is often one of the most misunderstood. Christianity is not only about having a relationship with God focused on eternal benefits. It offers a rebirth which gives us a new identity positively affecting our life on Earth. A relationship with God transforms us to live differently. It doesn’t deny suffering and imperfection, but offers newfound hope this side of the grave. It doesn’t make Christians better than others, just better off. Continue reading
The development of Christians for ministry in Australia has, in recent times, suffered at the hands of a government decision to alter funding arrangements for competency-based training courses. Accredited entry-level options are less sustainable, no matter how inexpensive, without the availability of deferred repayments. Meredith Lake’s The Bible in Australia: A Cultural History details the value of Christianity to the social, educational, welfare and justice systems we often take for granted. Beyond volunteerism, then, churches need a leadership pipeline to ensure the quality provision of their invaluable community supports. Continue reading
I am in the process of transitioning from the role of Senior Minister of a local church to one of senior leadership in another movement. Having once received a heritage of trust to succeed a long-standing and fruitful leader, I am now in that place again, but with the crucial difference of needing also to pass the baton to a new local runner. I have identified what I believe to be four important questions that can help to guide any transition successfully. Continue reading
The sigmoidal (or S-shaped) curve has been variously applied to the reinvention of organisations that find themselves levelling out. When levels of success are plotted against the passage of time, it can chart growth and decline. This approach can also apply to individuals and the change they undergo in new seasons of life. The key to optimising such pathways is in understanding how best to respond to life as it unfolds. This can be aided by answering three important questions when we are considering change. Continue reading
When the greatest event of history is about to be celebrated this weekend, it seems remarkable that so much else is dominating news headlines. Cricket’s ball tampering scandal unfolding in South Africa is one such example. It offers an intriguing contrast to the Easter story. At a time when role models are placed on pedestals from which they too easily fall, Jesus remains the timeless hero of history. Continue reading
Billy Graham died yesterday, aged 99. Perhaps the most influential church figure of the twentieth century, many still suggest today that their pursuit of Christian ministry was due to his impact. Graham still holds the record for the highest attendance at the Melbourne Cricket Ground which put his March 1959 crowd at 143,750. It is estimated that he preached to more than 200 million people worldwide. Some fascinating aspects of his Australian legacy offer enduring keys to ministry success. Continue reading
