A great reminder from Seth Godin: Two Seconds “Sometimes, busy people need to remind themselves (and us) how busy they are by shaving off the last two seconds of what would otherwise be a pleasant interaction. At a restaurant yesterday, the maitre’d, who is paid to be busy, looked up our name in the reservations book and then said, “over … Read More
How to Wow!
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that we had a meeting where we asked this question: How do we WOW people when they first walk into our church? My first answer is always that the Gospel is WOW enough! At the same time, I believe we should do all we can to welcome people in such a way that … Read More
Applications Now Available – New Coaching Network for Senior Pastors
It’s taken me a while to get it all together but the application for my new Tele-Coaching Network for Senior Pastors is now available. I’m very excited about this network and the quality leaders that have already applied. I could go on and on trying to motivate you to consider applying (we start in August) but let me just direct … Read More
Craig Groeschel’s Secret
I just heard a secret about Craig Groeschel….want to know what it is? A LifeChurch.tv insider (who will remain unnamed so he doesn’t get in trouble) told me this secret. I think you can trust the source. I even checked with another person to confirm it. (I hope you don’t think I’m passing along gossip.) Ready? At a recent meeting … Read More
Break the Summer Giving Slump with a Mid Year Giving Statement (plus a free download of my letter)
If you’ve listened to my Stewardship Seminar then you know that I’m a fan of quarterly giving statements. The IRS only requires that you send “Giving Statements” once a year (in January) to everyone who has given financially to your church but I recommend you do it four times a year. Even if you can’t send giving statements four times … Read More
Executive Pastor Coaching – Last Call for Applications
This Thursday, Kerrick Thomas, The Journey’s Executive Pastor, will be starting an 8-month Executive Pastor Tele-Coaching Network. I worked with him to design the network, which will tackle the 8 unique challenges for an Executive Pastor (they include, the systems challenge; the staffing challenge; the senior pastor challenge, etc.). This is a great opportunity for Executive Pastors or those who … Read More
Monday Proflections July 7, 2008
I’m looking forward to the upcoming week. Here’s what’s happening with me and Church Leader Insights plus a free resource that may be of interest to you: Monday – I’ll be in the office all day for the usual round of meetings. One of the highlights for me is the Sunday debrief. Here’s a free podcast that Jason and I … Read More
Two Saturday Communication Quotes
“By all means, show don’t tell . . . reveal your personality . . . be the message rather than narrating it, but above all, be authentic.” – Dr. Frank Luntz, author, Words that Work “A great line isn’t spoken, it is delivered.” – Jack Klugman, actor Is it possible to replace the word ‘line’ with the word ‘sermon’ in … Read More
Words that Work – Part 4 of 4
Happy Independence day to everyone here in the US! Today, I wrap up my four part communication series based on the excellent book Words that Work by Frank Luntz with this selection where Luntz quotes the famous novelist George Orwell. George Orwell language rules: 1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to … Read More
Words that Work – Part 3 of 4
On Tuesday, I started a series of lessons from the book Words that Work by Frank Luntz by giving you his first four rules of communication. Here are rules five through nine: Rule Five…Novelty: Offer Something New Words that work often involve a new definition of an old idea. (In preaching the goal is not to have a ‘new idea’ … Read More