The first principle in Making Marriage Work

An intro a message on Making Marriage Work

When you go through the pain of cleaning up, you’re more motivated to keep from re-polluting yourself.

Do people get what they see with you? Are you an integrated leader or is there something nasty under the surface?

It’s easy to articulate what you are against. How clear are you about what you are for?

What is a conflict of interest in a church and what to do about them.

What are the key issues in deciding to stay or go, in starting and ending a ministry well? I get asked about this a lot. Here are the key points.

Sharing a bit of the process of how to compile your church's history.

Here are a few items that can make your travel more pleasant and effective.

Do you ever find yourself coasting in ministry, not engaging fully in the calling at hand? There are two valid options for you (and me) to consider.

Some considerations for evaluating an offer of employment to serve as a pastor in a church.

A simple upgrade I took too long to make which instantly made me more productive. (Hint: HD to SSD)

I’ve been impressed with the time saved by using Prime, as well as the way it helps fill in some of the gaps of living in a small community.

What do you do when you are on a church staff and the lead pastor is clearly out of line, abusive, unethical or just plain nuts?

What do you do when you find yourself in a broken staffing situation, and you’re supposed to be the boss?

Do you understand the weaknesses of your church’s or denominations polity?

I’ve made the same mistake both out hunting and in leadership: Looking too far ahead.

A quick list of some tools that church boards might find useful in doing their work. For more info on any of them, feel free to contact me.

These are the things we bump into again and again in transitional ministry. Don’t let these things happen in your church!

Out of all the energy you have, there is a segment that can be used for creative work, and when it’s gone it’s gone. Here are a few things I’m learning about rationing my creative energy.

Some ideas of how to use email list segmentation and personalization in a church or ministry setting.

A simple tactic to reenergize yourself for the final segment of your work day.

A quick overview of a budget process for churches that isn’t simply based on the squeaky wheel.

The way a pastor leaves a church can enhance the ministry they’ve had and give a boost to the ministry of the next pastor…or detract from both.

As logical and biblical as it is to do evangelism, until there is an accompanying passion we don’t tend to do it.

How to break out of indecisiveness, information overload and paralysis by analysis.

How to you use your ministry time wisely when there are no pressing tasks? Here are three ideas.

It’s been a hazard in ministry from the time of the early church. But there is a remedy.

It's not easy to make the shift from holidays back into the work and ministry routine. Here are a few steps I'm taking to get my head back where it needs to be. 

How do you detach and ensure you get a real break from work?

Too many churches and pastors live in crisis mode when it comes to finances. Here are some principles to break out of that pattern.

This could change the way you look at social media and entertainment. (Plus give you a very cool parenting idea.)

There are things leaders do that can destroy trust or fortify it. Do you know what those things are in your context?

A quick plug for Toastmasters and the benefits for pastors in joining a club.

I was asked this question in an interview recently. Here’s my 2-bits.

It’s important that pastors and ministry leaders model and teach that we need to be shooting for eternity, not just retirement.

The story of an old native American prophecy and how it relates to ministry to today.

More nuggets that are just too good to file away.

Some ideas are just too stimulating to put in a file- so I put them on the wall. Here are a few of those nuggets.

A few thoughts from Ephesians 2, describing where we all were- or still are- and where Jesus wants to take us.

A few more ideas on keeping that email inbox lean and mean.

The big three mistakes self-published authors make, and a few others I’ve made.

Most prospective authors never do this.

The system used by an online coach I’m working with presents some interesting possibilities for pastoral care, discipleship and church communication. Note: In the audio I fail to mention the software used for this. It is Xenforo2:  https://xenforo.com/  I am not an affiliate for this. I share it simply because I think it's brilliant. 

A quick heads up about a valuable resource most churches aren’t using.

Memo to my younger pastor self, and anyone else who’s listening: You’re not as essential to the church as you think you are. (But you are to your family and your health.)

No matter how your day is going, here are some benefits highlighted in Ephesians 1 that are true of you if you are a follower of Jesus Christ.

A long confusing hike made me think of ministry...for some reason.

Changing the package doesn’t change the reality that true community and effective disciple-making is challenging.

We regularly need to take inventory, identify unsustainable trends in our lives and ministries, and take some options off the table with a bold “No!”

Three big steps I will be sharing in an upcoming training. Please send questions!

When someone gives what they know are their final words to people close to their heart, those words are usually worth noting. Here are a leader’s final words to the leaders of a church he planted.

Sometimes “the way things are” needs to be challenged and changed.

A tension we face in ministry and communication. We don’t want to be either!

Some things are common, culturally acceptable, but contrary to the cause of Christ.

An excerpt from the Recipe for an Epic Day training, which is part of the Pastor Productivity Pack in Priority Pastor.

A final excerpt from the Personal Evangelism Crash Course webinar, sharing some simple but critically important principles for personal evangelism.

At least half the job of evangelism is this one thing.

An excerpt from the Personal Evangelism Crash Course webinar on how non-evangelists can be effective witnesses.

An excerpt from the Personal Evangelism Crash Course highlighting the purpose of evangelism. Also a note about the fact that while not all are gifted as evangelists, all are called to be witnesses.

Advice to a friend who has been shortlisted for a lead pastor role and is getting a second interview. 

Here is the process we use in a transitional ministry to develop a useful church history document for leveraging change.

Two radically different responses to one of my books highlights the need for understanding different the stages of people we are seeking to reach withe Gospel.

Two important points I plan to make in an upcoming evangelism training.

My biggest marketing lesson of the year which I have shared with many of my author and musician friends.

Travel is inherently unproductive. But this week's roadtrip was an exception. Here's what I learned. 

“If you eat too much lobster it tastes like soap.”

How can we set goals that stretch us but don’t discourage us?

Forgotten items on a combined camping-conference trip reminds me why I really need to use checklists!

Did you know that until you claim the automatic Google listing for your church that anyone can post whatever link they want as your website?

Maybe some of our stress is caused by thinking we can control or fix issues that aren’t ours to control or fix.

I’m finding myself in an odd state of disorientation from not having any burning crisis staring me in the face. And this brings its own challenges.

What are you doing to get objective input into your life, ministry and projects?

Miller’s StoryBrand book got my wheels turning in so many ways. Here’s and overview- take a listen and then get this book!

A week full of good days requires a good day off. Here are some things help make a good day off.

It’s so easy I don’t know why everyone isn’t doing this.

This Harriet Tubman quote stirs me to reach more people.

Here’s what to do once you have a good idea of the current state of your church.

Here are some questions we use in transitional ministry to help understand the current state of the church.

Some transitional ministry practices and ideas that you can apply in a regular, longer term pastoral role.

Some adjustments I’m making to ensure that I’m walking my talk and crafting a focused, sustainable life and ministry.

Part 5 of the interview with Seth Shelley, with some direct words for young pastors, and his thoughts on who would most benefit from Priority Pastor.

Part 4 of the Seth Shelley interview, with some insights into the relational side of leadership.

Part 3 of the Seth Shelley interview, where he shares how he has adapted the principles of Priority Pastor to his unique role and personality.

Part 2 of an interview with Seth Shelley. Getting up early, irritation with “Footprints”, team ministry, and more.

Part 1 of an interview with Seth Shelley.

The latest developments in using a stand-up desk.

A simple trick we use to make it easier to do what’s important. And it’s not just about canoeing.

Some principles that will help you craft a focused, sustainable life and ministry.

There’s something about getting some natural light as early in the day as possible that sets you up for a good day…and a good sleep that night!

Marketers do it, churches should do it. Here are the basics.

Sometimes we need to quit pouring more leadership theory into our heads and actually get out there and do the work of leadership.

An honest history of your church can give people a common story and be a launch pad for the next season of ministry.

Yep, the Sunday morning announcements can be a leadership moment.

A heads up about some of the things that will be shared in the new Priority Pastor webinar.

A devotional I heard decades ago still challenges me in the way I respond when things go sideways.

If you have a good friend in a church where you pastor, you need to get some things clear in your head- and maybe theirs too!

Why I only reluctantly use the phrase “discipleship” and instead prefer “disciple-making”.

One of the eight essential traits of a follower of Jesus. Why it’s essential, and why it’s always possible.

A story of when I quit too soon, and regretted it.

Nothing changes if there is not urgency, no recognition of the need to change. But you also need to instil hope so there is energy to make the change.

Some simple guidelines for using email for communication with church boards and staff.

Today has not gone as planned! So I made some tea.

A quick note I recorded while playing hooky from work in order to go for what turned out to be an excellent time outside. 

A summary of the latest message in the DNA of a Christ Follower Series: What does it mean to be evangelistic?

It can strike in the middle of the day, the middle of a ministry or the middle of life.

There’s an intriguing relationship between pressure and productivity.

What is the actual value of the work you do in ministry?

Grappling with how to make churches and The Church more effective and efficient in making disciples.

Some simple things anyone can do to give their energy level a boost.

The toxic idea of “forgiving yourself” needs to be exposed as the anti-Gospel lie that it is.

It often gets written off as a necessary evil, but good governance is a spiritual issue.

The One Thing I’d change in this useful planning tool.

What’s a clear conscience worth to you? What will it take to get there?

How a marketing activity has shaped my thinking about ministry… and pretty much everything

If we focus on building community with the idea that we will eventually move into mission, it will likely never happen.

There’s a big difference between being called a leader or holding a leadership position, and actually leading.

What develops you and grows you more: Starting a business, or being in ministry leadership?

If we can vacuum the absolute meaning out of a word like “truth” where’s the foundation?

Wherein I repent for my failure to maintain InBox Zero and resolve to reform my ways

Most of my books are in storage. One of the few dozen I keep with me in my transitional assignments is this one.

Another key trait from the DNA of a Christ Follower.

It’s been one of the best developments in my online marketing journey.

“Don’t be a jerk.” A restrained rant based on a synthesis of what I have observed.

The words of Jesus in John 6.67 are a challenge to all Christian leaders: Are you so confident in your mission and calling that you will be unfazed when some of your followers bail?

Here’s a simple thing we’ve done to spend a little more money but free up a lot more time.

Self-awareness is a key trait of healthy and effective leaders. Are you aware of the primary event or events that have made you who you are?

What is the greatest need of those you lead? It might not be what you think.

My TRX is a wonderful thing. You might want to get one.

Here are two tools I use that you may want to use in your ministry communication system.

The second trait in the DNA of a Christ Follower is being a lover of people. What does that look like, practically?

A few nuggets from my webinar on Efficient Sermon Prep, to help you link your message to your audience.

Some nuggets from a recent article by Karl Vaters on non-numerical ways of assessing church health.

Here is a simple way to be salt and light, love people and maybe change some attitudes about followers of Jesus.

A quick note about one of the coolest new pieces of software I’ve come across.

Here are three more words, three more ideas, that will make all your communication more effective.

Whether it’s sales and marketing, or preaching and ministry and recruiting, these three words will strengthen your  communication.

Ask yourself and your staff this question…if you think you can handle the answers.

Two principles a webinar attendee flagged as especially helpful.

Finding contentment without having to compare myself to someone worse off

If you want to catch fish, this is THE ultimate secret. But it’s not just about fishing.

If you’re not doing this, you’re not leading.

It’s the greatest commandment, but how do we actually do it?

A recent cougar attack on a jogger got me thinking about systems and patterns and what to do when we see a pattern.

It’s not even 2 pm and this has already been a very good day. So I’m trying to figure out why, and how to make it happen again tomorrow.

Here is a way to check if your email address has been tied to a data breach- and how you can keep such breaches from being serious.

I just listened to two podcasts from two different rich people who had the same observation about making more money.

What should you do if you discern spiritual challenges or opposition?

How do you know if a challenge or problem you’re facing has a spiritual component?

Speak for less time and know your one-liner!

It might make sense for you to do a church and community assessment.

It’s hard to get things done on the road so I’m looking forward to some non-travel time!

You can sell anything if you create enough value.

How can we exceed the expectations of those we serve?

Who am I trying to impress?

It’s tempting to go for style at the expense of depth, character, substance.

What does it actually mean to seek God? Are you a biblical God-Seeker?

How can there be multiple “most important” things?

Just as some things are priorities, others are “posteriorities”.

A stupid online mistake has made me a little more careful with my planning.

When was the last time you memorized a strategic passage of scripture?

Why I’m thinking of getting an online marketing coach.

Facing a big ministry challenge? Here is my plea for you to stay in the battle.

A new questions that’s got me thinking about what’s important.

If you’re not sleeping well, make this one of your top priorities.

How can a church with very few documented processes function as efficiently as the one I’m working with right now?

My current (and lifelong) tension between diversification and focus.

A surprise bulk sale of one of my books got me thinking of something Solomon said

Long term friends strengthen and enrich us in many ways.

How a deal with God exposed me to the life changing power of the Word.

Need to change something in your church, ministry or organization? Here are some important change principles from Kotter’s classic book.

Understanding what phase of a project or ministry you prefer gives you an idea of where you ought to focus.

Make the most of the high leverage moments in your ministry context.

Here’s what’s been happening with the Priority Pastor course.

Nuggets from a marketing course I took last year which have direct relevant to ministry.

My routine was trashed for the last three weeks. Here’s what happened and how I’m getting back on track.

Learn to assess well in order to move forward.

Ideas to help approach your goals or habits, and plan your year.

Here are some helpful questions to consider when figuring out what you hope to accomplish in the year ahead.

Taking a look back and learning from the last year- as a setup for planning the next!

What are your hopes, dreams, plans and expectations for the next season of your life and ministry? 

Asking the right question as you plan the holiday makes all the difference. 

What's more important than a therapists skills, a physicians drugs and any other factor when it comes to health and healing?

A quick way to figure out what's important. It's about doing less not more.

Sometimes we get this backwards...and never get around to mission.

The rise of the "biblical content-free sermon."

There's a lot of bad preaching out there. Are you a contributor?

What does it take to convince a nice person that they are a dirty rotten sinner?

Some foundational ministry principles I've learned over the years from Sonlife.

This activity often gets squeezed out of our lives and churches. But it is a key to maintaining our perspective as followers of Jesus.

Tricks that unethical, insecure and manipulative leaders use to insulate themselves from criticism.

It's easy to waste time and money on books, courses, seminars. How do you capture the investment?

Approaching ministry as if we are planning a trip, with a process rather than event mindset, can save us from overwhelm.

Who are you, what are you called to do,...and who's backing you? Being confident and secure in those things can reduce overwhelm.

We need to figure out how to do less of the wrong stuff, without being lazy.

Just completed my first Priority Pastor webinar. Went well, learned a few things, already planning the next.

...don't next to the fire. The risk of needing to be needed.

How do you establish boundaries with people who dominate your time, while still loving them?

Just started running my first Instagram ads today. Curious to see how it will stack up alongside Facebook and Google Adwords.

Some considerations for curtailing social media from The Busy Pastor Cheatsheet at PriorityPastor.com

How do you handle requests from people who want to come to your church and do some kind of ministry?

There's a big difference between an education or a degree, and actually being equipped for ministry.

Some reflections on the relationship between pastoral ministry and business, arising from my "crossover day" retreat.

My first stuttering attempt at business.

Tomorrow is the day, which if I survive, will make me older than my father was when he passed away.

What are the metrics for a financially sustainable life and ministry?

This past year has shown me just how scary confirmation bias is.

The basic premise of remarketing also applies to leadership and ministry.

The Gospel is about more than just being nice. It is necessary to use words.

How's your day going? What is the key truth you are carrying with you through it?

Some insight into what PPX is really about and what I hope to accomplish.

So bad it still makes me cringe...

A quick overview of how a short Toastmasters talk morphed into a sermon, a paid speech, a book and an online course.

How Randy Alcorn's "Consequences of a Moral Tumble" can help protect you.

What are you doing to protect yourself from sexual immorality, or the accusation of sexual impropriety?

It's actually about time vs money...

What do you do if you think you're underpaid in ministry?

Why are 25 minute blocks of work so productive?

A quick note about our road trip and plans for the rest of the year.

Productivity advice from Buffet and Tracy.

You can't solve a technical problem with prayer. You can't simply teach your way out of a leadership challenge.

If you have a sermon series that really clicked, give some serious thought to turning it into a book.

What was the moment of your greatest hope and passion in ministry? How's it going today?

I thought I was going to a secular motivation and sales training event. But the Gospel showed up.

It's important to understand what it is, under the surface, that is driving you. Do you understand why you do what you?

Once someone is a follower of Jesus, what is the #1 goal?

It's about Making Disciples!

Untrapped pastors are better pastors.

A lesson I learned at 20 below in the middle of a stand of poplar.

The very first episode of Priority Pastor X. Daren Wride shares the why and the what of PPX.