The Leader’s Character Checks Most aspiring leaders, as well as those in the second or third chair in the organization often look at the leader of the organization and imagine what they would do if they were in charge. What sometimes seems to be a critical spirit can really be rooted in leadership gifts that recognize how the key leader could do things better. more

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Questions to Reflect on in Electing a Bishop

I learned a long time ago that when interviewing candidates for a staff position, vicar or rector or church planter, that “past performance is the best indicator of future performance.” That is, you never ask a candidate, “If you were rector, what would you do if . . .” Instead, you ask, “When did you . . .” You find the quality, experience, or skill that you are looking for and ask how that person has exhibited that particular quality, experience, or skill in their personal history. . . more

The Four Truths of the Storyteller

About five years ago I led a church through the initial stages of developing their strategic plan. During our review of the history of the parish, we all had an “Aha moment” that transformed our strategic planning process and that many of those leaders remember and talk about to this day.

In reviewing the history of the parish, I decided not to focus our narrative on the usual history of the succession of the rectors, or of the second-most-typical history of the buildings. Instead, I asked them to recount the history of the parish based upon the history of the new ministries that had been started. As these long-time leaders and parishioners began telling their stories, a perfunctory conversation turned into an electric one.  .  . more

How to Terminate an Employee

I know this is an unpleasant subject. I have served as the interim rector for a church for the last seven months. One of my first duties as interim rector was to terminate an employee. I took no pleasure in it, but it had to be done. No one likes firing someone, whether it is for misconduct, or a wrong fit, or because the church simply can’t afford that position any more. But, if you have to do it, you need to do it right . . . . more

Five Questions to Ask to Position your Church for Growth 

Is your church positioned for growth?  Here is a simple five-question review to help you evaluate whether you can realistically expect your church to grow.  These are foundational.  Spend some time with your leaders and ask these soul-searching questions . . . more

Seven Habits of Highly Ineffective Leaders

I know that the title of this newsletter seems to be clichéd, but it works well as a vehicle for communicating some helpful truths.  Here’s the story:

I was in a meeting once with a church committee that had fallen on hard financial times.  The previous rector had made some decisions that had put the church in a financial bind.  The church had planned on growth that didn’t occur and built a budget based upon their expectations . . . more 

The Role of Missions and Outreach in the Local Church

WHEN I BECAME THE RECTOR OF ST. SWITHIN’S, THE PARISH PROFILE INDICATED THAT THE PARISH WAS VERY COMMITTED TO MISSION AND OUTREACH. UPON ARRIVING I DISCOVERED THAT the vestry had just passed a budget that provided no money for outreach and that their commitment to outreach had been defined by the large number of ministries and social agencies the church funded. The vestry acted essentially as a United Way. I was convinced that we could do better.. . . more

Copyright © 2008 Neal O. Michell, all rights reserved