Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches From Growing (And How Leaders Can Overcome Them).Geoff Surratt shares his personal experiences as a pastor and shows how several "stupid" mistakes can have a dramatic affect on the growth of a church.  Though the ten mistakes are relatively simple at a glance they can be more difficult to spot when you are in the middle of the ministry and even more difficult

The Talent Code (Daniel Coyle)Recently I heard of a church in North Dakota.  It's a smaller church in a more rural portion of the state.  The name of the church/town was not given, but the fact remains that they have cranked out more than 70 ministers in recent years.  That's pretty amazing for a small church in a small state.We see this happen all over.  How is it that certain

The Five Most Important Questions You Will Ever Ask About Your Organization (Drucker Foundation)This book is an updated and enhanced version of a book written several years ago.  It ads the expertise of Jim Collins, Phil Kotlern, and more to give additional current insight to the five most important questions.Here's a summary:1: What is Our Mission? Do people inside and outside the organization

Getting Things Done (by David Allen)As leaders or volunteers in our organization we are often strapped with projects and tasks that seem to stress us out.  In addition to that, when we add on the management of family schedules, home and auto repairs, balancing the checkbooks, cleaning the house, laundry, sick children and more... It's no wonder we are such a caffeinated society.Though most people

Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive (by Patrick Lencioni)This was a re-read for me, but well worth the refresher course.As leaders in our organization we are focused on two primary areas:1.  Making our organization smarter2.  Making our organization healthierIt's quite a bit easier to notice when our organization is getting smarter or has come to a screeching halt as it pertains

25 Ways To Win With People (Maxwell & Parrott)I believe one of the most mis-valued things in life is our relationships.  As leaders, we must always be doing what we can to maximize the value we place on others.  In 25 Ways to Win with People, we discover some great insight to what leadership guru John Maxwell uses. Here's a sample.1: Start with yourself.  You have to become a winner.

I don't claim to have the silver bullet for getting through books, but each year I am surprised at how many books I complete.  A few people have asked why I read so much and how I get through so many books.Three years ago it was good if I completed one book in a year.  Last year I completed 23 in 12 months.  Pastor/Author Mark Batterson reads about 100 books a year.  So, I'm not

If I were to ask you what the following individuals have in common: Jimmy Swaggart, Bill Clinton, Abraham Lincon, and Rick Warren; It may take you some time to find the common threads.  So here you go - They are/were all leaders and they ALL have a dark side. In fact I could throw your name into the mix and the same would be true of you.  According to McIntosh and Rima every one of us has

We are all faced with dozens of decisions each day.  Some of them carry a weightier consequence if it's not the right decision.  For those decisions we tend to take more time gathering information, polling people, checking our research, and more.  But what if we could trust the first two seconds of time when presented with the decision?  What if we could prove that more research

Over the past few years I've read dozens of books.  Through the pages of those books many authors kept referring to one book in particular as a must read.  After hearing The Tipping Point referred to so many times I decided it might be a good one to put on my list. In the fall of 2009 I completed The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell. I now understand why so many authors found this book

I've posted the books I've chosen to read in 2010.  Feel free to read along and discuss them with me throughout the year.  Others may be added to the list as I go along.  My goal this year is to complete 24 books before December 31.I've chosen the following for specific reasons:Reading With Other Leaders:The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary ExecutiveThe Five Most Important Questions

Throughout history great men and women have walked this earth cutting a trail through the thick brush of religious and secular culture that allows for the pathway of ministry we have today. "Revolutionaries" is a record of may of those individuals.It's easy to take for granted the life we live today and go on our way ignorant of the work and effort of those who have gone before us. But not any more.

This Christmas consider giving your student a gift intended to help them grow mature in their walk with God.  The Fire Bible Student Edition is the first true Pentecostal study Bible for students Igniting a Generation in the Word of God. The FIREBIBLE contains the most comprehensive study notes of any student Bible.Life Publishers recently made the FBSE available through an online retailer

Recently I decided I would undertake learning more about how the brain functions. This journey led me to "A Users Guide to the Brain." While much of the terminology will stretch your vocabulary and force you to take breaks and walk around so as to avoid the "glazed over eyes" approach to reading, the content is excellent.We have understood the brain to be a very complex and highly advanced organ.

We are all familiar with pithy, potent, statements that help guide decision making in everyday life. The book of Proverbs is filled with these and they are great for giving advise and guidance to anyone.Ax*i*om is a collection of 76 different sayings that will help to guide those involved in church leadership. Covering topics ranging from hiring staff, communication patterns, decompressing before

I'm a fan of analog books, audiobooks, and now Kindle (iPhone version). Sway was the first book I've read using Amazon.com's Kindle app for iPhone . It's a convenient way to keep your book with you to read at any time. Unfortunately the iPhone version doesn't allow for taking notes, copy-paste of content, or annotated bookmarking (at least not yet), but it is still very convenient.Now

Remember walking down the cereal isle and being drawn in by the free prize inside your favorite sugar drenched cereal?  You would beg to have it and your parent might give in.  Not because of the calcium enriched sugar puffs, but because you so desperately wanted the free prize.In my house when I got home I wanted to dump out all of the contents of the box just to get the free prize - I was

One of the required readings for Signet is The Starfish and the Spider (web | purchase).  This was recommended by Steve Mason (Alabama DYD) and was a great read.  The book deals with "The Unstoppable Power of LEADERLESS Organizations."Starfish/Spider gave new insight into a method of leadership that is virtually untouched in the corporate world and only talked about in our churches - leaderless

I don't think I have highlighted more content in a book than I have this one.  Killing Cockroaches by Tony Morgan (Chief Strategic Officer at NewSpring Church), is filled with relevant topics and real-[church]world solutions to many of problems faced by church leadership.  Most issues may appear to be benign in scope and nature.  But over time, if left unchecked will create major issues

For Men Only is a candid conversation about how to help husbands understand what goes on in the mind and heart of women.  Guys who have ever thought, "how can this woman that I love so much cause me this level of confusion," need to read and highlight this book.Jeff and Shaunti Felhahn cover the following topics and more...The Fabulous Female BrainWhy Your Desire to Fix the Problem is the ProblemWhy

Nothing makes parents more uneasy than working up the courage to face their pre-adolescent boy or girl than to prepare them for "The Talk."  As a result many parents flounder through the conversation, give incorrect information, confuse their child, or worse - say nothing at all.This creates a child who is confused about their sexuality and changing body and forces them to find their answers another

Remember the excitement of the new toy on Christmas day?  Remember how you played with it for several days (maybe), and then that new toy became boring?Brown cows may be exciting the first time you see them, but after a while, the brown cow becomes boring.  But a purple cow - now that is something remarkable."Purple Cow" helps leaders of organizations and ministries understand the importance

In a blog post last November, Pastor Mark shared thougths from Mark Batterson's new book  Wild Goose Chase.  His intent was to encourage readers to order a copy and experience this inspiring work firsthand. I ordered mine and was not disappointed.In the book Batterson describes six cages that keep Christians from realizing their full potential. Here's some thoughts that impacted me from chapter five,

Winners Never Quit:  True of False?I remember hearing that from coaches, teachers, youth pastor, and parents.  I know I've said this from time to time.  And though the encouragement received helps people  persevere through hard times to achieve success.  There are some things that should be quit.Winners quit.  In fact winners quit all the time!It's just that they know

Title: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team (by Patrick Lencioni)Date Completed: January 22, 2009Items of Impact:Any one of the five dysfunctions can derail a teamAny one person on the team can exhibit a dysfunction and derail a team if not held accountableThere is a balance in caring for the individual and protecting the health of the team. Sometimes tough decisions will need to be made.How will these

The following text is from the Generosity Book Website. Generosity? In times like these?  Giving is down, 401k's are shrinking, the credit markets are still tight.  Is generosity really practical?  Why in the world should I be thinking about sharing a generosity message with others at a time like this?  Consider:Christians have a unique opportunity to demonstrate generosity that

Today the noise and clutter of media and social networking is getting so loud there is something more valuable than an open pocketbook. Something so precious that if abused, or even the hint of abuse is perceived, the individual may never give it to you again.  That precious commodity is their attention.In Permission Marketing, Seth Godin outlines the fundamental flaws in traditional marketing. In

"Love and Respect" by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs is a great book for any married couple, or any single person planning to get married.Dr. Emmerson identifies the core needs of both men and women in this book and helps each gender better relate to each other to stop the "crazy cycle" that leaves husbands and wives at odds so much of the time.L&R is broken down into three basic sections:  First a

We strive to excel at many things: golf, cooking, fitness, financial management, etc.  Parenting must be a priority!  Yet most moms and dads feel underequipped and don't have a clue where to begin.May I recommend you start with "Have a New Kid by Friday" (HANKBF) by Dr. Kevin Leman.HANKBF hits struggles with kid's behavior and attitude right on target.  He pulls no punches and offers

In 2008 I read/listened to nearly 20 books. That's more than I read in a year's time since I was in college.What I learned was; it feels good to learn.  I also learned there are a lot of books out there waiting to be read, so where do I go from here.Many of my book choices are based on personal recommendation from friends and other leaders.  The following list are recommendations from leader

After having read "In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day" I new Mark Battersons Sophmore release, "Wild Goose Chase," would be inspiring and challenging.  I ordered a pre-release copy and got one that was autographed by the author -- pretty cool.Here are some of the top things I picked up from WGC:"I wonder if some of us are living such safe lives that not only are we bored, but so are our guardian

We've all heard it before. The extreme importance of reaching this generation for Christ. I've taken classes, listened to speakers, preachers and more explain in great detail why we need to minister to kids and youth and why it should be done with excellence. Please don't misunderstand me. I love a great motivational speech that gives me new fire for ministry. But the great element that is continually

 I had the opportunity to complete Tribes - the latest release from Seth Godin - as he challenges people to lead their own tribe."Already an Amazon bestseller, the book is short and small and simple.  It argues, as clearly as I am capable, that leadership is the best marketing tactic to any organization - a company, a school, a church, a job seeker.Our role today is to fine, connect and lead

In his book Meatball Sundae, author Seth Godin stives to help organizations understand that an inbound email and phone call is a great thing - not an inconvenience. In fact he says that having inbound contact be answered by the lowest paid and trained staff is a disservice to the potential for growth.Seth recently released a new book called "Tribes: We Need You To Lead Us." As I was waiting for the

Gary L. McIntosh, author of One Size Doesn't Fit All and Staffing Your Church for Growth released Beyond the First Visit - a guide to connecting guests to your church.Here are a few thoughts I gathered from the book as I read 177 pages in less than 3 hours (you can read faster too).Eliminate the use of "visitor" and implement "guest"Drop the use of "greeter" and start using "host"People are familiar

Andy Stanley has written a great book reminding us to prioritize family. All people in our life would like more of our time -- our family, our employers, our personal time, even our household chores -- but we have only been given 24 hours in a day. So in the battle for our time, who wins?At 125 pages this "must read" is an easy read. Our family (spouse and kids) may not win all of the time, but

I know many youth leaders that have incredible hearts for ministry but after a few months or years end up scratching their heads wondering... "Is this all there is to reaching teens?"Scotty Gibbons has crafted a masterful book to help keep the focus on the most important items and your life in balance. Carry On is laced with humor and plenty of stories that every youth minister can identify with (well