More Than Words...

I recommend church leaders read this book .   McHugh offers numerous practical insights on how introverts can leverage their personality type to lead effectively.    He discusses the importance of paying attention to natural rhythms and managing energy, offering practical strategies and advice in Chapter 7.      He doesn't let introversion be an excuse for withdrawing from relationships or from loving people.   The role of community is described as 'healing' for the introvert, and he talks about two critical movements for the introverted leader:   Inward movement of accepting and working with the way we are wired   Outward movement towards community This book challenged my assumptions about the relationship between personality and leadership.  It helped me discover some of my strengths and how I can leverage them in my leadership role.  It also gave me some insight into some of my struggles as a...

A friend of mine sent me an excerpt from Francis Chan's book Forgotten God as a reminder of two key factors that blind us to God's presence and activity in our lives: Comfort (a life that is too safe) and Volume (a life that is too noisy). Being on Sabbatical I've been struck by the amount of noise (What Chan calls Volume) is now part of our culture and how hard it is to get away from messages, tweets, updates, constant demands, and distractions.  Developing a healthy rhythm of work/rest that includes being still before God and turning off our devices is something we need to be very intentional about!   And it often means being willing to accomplish a little less and forgo some comforts in order to live more simply. I agree with Chan that we need some discomfort.  In a culture where comfort and convenience are of ultimate value, we often avoid the medicine required to cure the disconnect we feel.    Ironically, it is a...