I’ve never heard of a church that has too many small group leaders. Too many ushers? Maybe. Too many musicians? Possibly. Too many small group leaders? Highly unlikely. And yet, I know many churches that have grand visions for their small group ministry. Statements like, “our vision is to be a church of small groups” […]
This course provides Christian leaders with a biblical perspective on planning within ministry organizations, the skills to develop a shared vision for ministry, and a set of practical planning and execution tools for making progress towards that vision.
Take a moment to imagine the ideal—dare I say perfect—small group. What does it look like to you? What do you hear? I see a cozy living room with comfortable seats for everyone. My ears hear friendly chatter, my nose smells fresh baking, and my mind is energized by engaging conversations. Now think of […]
Coaching and mentoring are a way of life. We can turn any conversation into a mentoring opportunity by listening, asking good questions, helping people focus on what’s most important, and empowering them to take next steps. However, there is also a place for using these skills in structured coaching sessions where we intentionally engage in […]
Whether it’s with a ministry team at church or with our own family, we regularly find ourselves trying to discern God’s will with others. In this blog, I will outline ten principles for helping us find God’s way together. 1. Encourage spiritual growth It’s important that we recognize that what people bring into a decision-making […]
Without trust, it’s impossible for a team to be healthy and effective. The absence of trust is used as the foundation for Patrick Lencioni’s well-known leadership parable called The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. In this book, Lencioni outlines five problems that many teams face, and every dysfunction grows from the root cause of distrust. […]
“Good leaders need the ability to exegete Scripture, their world, and the church.” Pierre Gilbert’s introductory words frame the foundation for the latest edition of Direction Journal (Fall 2018 – Vol. 47 No. 2). The issue features a series of articles written by faculty members of MB Seminary. As the editor of the issue, Gilbert explains […]
I sometimes wonder if the urgency to identify our life calling has been lost. Perhaps people assume this process of discovery is a one-time event. Or maybe our churches think it only applies to people who feel drawn to positions of vocational ministry. A person’s call is simply a way of expressing their understanding of […]
How can leaders make the most of power and conflict? Leaders often feel confused or even paralyzed by the power dynamics around them. How can they strengthen their capacity to recognize and use power in productive ways?
Doug Heidebrecht, Director of Global Training at MB Seminary, began teaching the Missional Leadership Training (MLT) program in Malawi in the fall of 2018 (Doug is pictured on the left with William, a translator). In Dzaleka Camp, the Mennonite Brethren Church of Malawi (MBCM) works closely with three other churches, forming an ecumenical network that […]