Catalyst Articles

The desire for creative team members has never been higher. As constraints grow for organizations, the importance of having people who can think differently grows exponentially. Finding creative people is difficult, but keeping them is even harder.

For years, my identity was self-defined. I defined myself by my work, my money, my status… and privately, I defined myself by my sexuality. Much of my life and focus was spent on those things and, thusly, trying to control how others perceived me.

As you step into this season of Thanksgiving, are you ready to show gratitude and to appreciate?

Most churches don’t have the resources necessary to field a full creative team. We all know that volunteers are the lifeblood of most of our ministries. So how do we promote creativity with our volunteers? 

When I’m busy; 

Each month, Brad highlights young leaders making a local and global impact.

Unfortunately, I believe most of us are a lot like Samson— minus the superstrength and long hair, of course. Just as Samson had potential for greatness, he squandered that potential again and again through foolish decisions.

I believe all of us can identify with the poet Carl Sandberg, who said, “There is an eagle in me that wants to soar and a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud.” The key to success is following the impulse to soar more than the desire to wallow.

Click here to find out how you can help make a difference in aiding those suffering as a result of Typhoon Haiyan.

The most important question is not, “What am I getting?” but “What am I becoming?”

Obviously obedience is a good thing, and it is true there are blessings when you do things God’s way. After all, He made the planet and when we do it His way, it works.

Remembering that my greatest moments of personal growth had taken place in the context of serving others, I changed my approach. I began to realize as a church leader my job was to raise up leaders who would replace me.