Speaking

Mike’s newest book was written out of the realization that far too many ministry leaders – in all different chairs – are just surviving, not thriving. This seminar can be customized to address several of the “ten practices for robust ministry” from the book. Participants will receive a hopeful message and practical ideas that can be applied in their settings.

Do you wish that more resources were designed for your unique role? Have you ever struggled with the tension of using your leadership gifts and being a loyal subordinate? Do you have God-sized dreams for the future and find it difficult to be content with the present? This presentation, based on Mike’s book by the same title, explores the paradoxes of the second chair and the powerful ways that God uses second chair leaders in His Kingdom.

Mike’s first book continues to be a powerful tool to help churches initiate and sustain lasting, healthy change. This seminar explores the dynamics of the change process and the core leadership disciplines that are needed to undergird it. Pastors and other ministry leaders who understand these realities are much better equipped for the transformational journey.

Change is never easy, and it’s particularly difficult in congregations. Leaders need to understand the organizational dynamics of change and the personal challenges that they will face. And they need to have a clear idea of how to lead the lead toward healthy, enduring change. This presentation is based on the material in Mike’s books, Leading Congregational Change and In Pursuit of Great AND Godly Leadership.

It’s a trendy title, with a growing number of churches creating the role of executive pastor. But is it right for you? We’ll explore what an executive pastor does and the rationale for creating the position. We’ll also look at the most common reasons why it doesn’t work. In doing so, participants will develop a clearer perspective on how they personally answer the if, when and how questions

A staggering number of “plans” do nothing more than collect dust in a binder on a leader’s shelf. These include bold visions, comprehensive strategic plans, and everything in between. It’s not easy to turn vision into results in ministry settings, but if leaders understand some of the common reasons that plans fail, they have a much better chance of succeeding. This seminar will help you understand and avoid the common pitfalls of planning in a congregation or other faith-based organization.

Everyone is pursuing something. What is that “something” for you? In his book, In Pursuit of Great AND Godly Leadership, Mike describes the dangers of pursuing only greatness. He also offers the surprising conclusion that the pursuit of godliness alone may not be good leadership. This presentation offers a mix of biblical wisdom and practical advice that will give participants plenty of food for thought.

Jim Collins coined a phrase that is widely accepted in business: “get the right people on the bus and the wrong people off the bus.” But does this apply to churches and other faith-based organizations? The challenges of effective personnel management – hiring, developing, evaluating, and at times firing – is a vexing issue for ministry leaders. This presentation explores whether and how business wisdom in the human resources field applies in ministry settings by looking at biblical teachings, practical realities, and examples from a variety of prominent leaders.

Whether your governance structure is a board, an administrative council, elders, or some other model, the members of this group are often business-minded leaders. These individuals want the best for their church, but they often have difficulty getting on the same page with spiritually-minded pastors who have very different backgrounds and perspectives. The result can be a huge chasm that undermines the church’s ability to effectively pursue its mission. This presentation offers insights for both groups that will help them build better bridges

Ministry leaders are well-acquainted with the term “servant leadership,” but the practical applications of this concept can be perplexing. What does it look like to be a servant leader in today’s complex ministry environments? This seminar unpacks the concept that servant leadership is rooted in the leader’s relationship with God, which reorients his/her (a) understanding of self/role, (b) relationships with those in authority, and (c) interactions with peers/followers.