I spent four hours with ten Methodist church planters on Thursday morning. I started the time by asking them to articulate their most pressing challenge. Half of them were in their first eight weeks after launch. The clearest [...]
What is true or our garage is true for other areas of clarity in our life and ministry:"Regardless of how well organized all the stuff in our garage may be, laying everything out on tables in light of day yields [...]
Ed Stetzer of Lifeway Research asked Perry Noble of NewSpring Church "What advice would you give to churches in America? What elements would you say are a must in any church?" Perry's answer included two elements. The first thing [...]
This book by Dan Roam is a fascinating read- in several hours he stretched my thinking about how people think and communicate. With a practical bent and witty style, Roam walks through how we digest the world visually and [...]
I read a simple observation this week that continues to haunt me: Walk into a first grade classroom and ask the kids to raise their hand if they can draw. All of the kids will raise their hand. [...]
While many forms of advertising may be less effective today there are forms that appeal to young consumers. One book that discusses this is Buying In: The Secret Dialogue Between What We Buy and Who We Are, by Rob [...]
If you are at the catalyst conference now, text "catalyst-buzz" to 95495 to hear all about it. [...]
Weeks after IKE has wreaked havoc in Houston, I continue to reflect on the amazing phenomenon of clarity. People so long for clarity that an event like an impending hurricane actually creates a unique energy, focus, and even pleasure [...]
Over the last eighteen months I have interacted with Larry on several occasions, mostly through our connection as Leadership Network authors. I really enjoy time with Larry. Why? Because he doesn't care. I mean he doesn't [...]
I have been reminded many times this week that great leaders know how to stop things that aren't great in the organization. I just heard this snippet from a message by Alf Halvorson in Bethlehem, PA: If you are an [...]
I mentioned an innovative ministry a few posts ago named Wayfarer. I think their articulated values are pretty sticky- five motives that pulsate with deep meaning for this team. The five values are communicated with fifteen words. A [...]
In response to some comments, I have been reflecting further on stickiness.One thing to keep in mind is how much the idea of "contrived" is a function of the particular micro-culture. I am amazed by how word-choice that strikes [...]
I want you and your ministry to experience the benefits of stunning, God-given clarity. As a pastor turned vision coach, I’ve worked with an unprecedented variety of churches from growing mega-churches and missional communities, to mainline revitalization and church plants. I started several interconnected organizations that help the church embody the movement that Jesus founded. My visionary planning tools, the Vision Frame and the Horizon Storyline are used by thousands of churches every year through my calling to raise up other consultants and trainers. In 2004, I founded Auxano, which I sold to LifeWay and continued to lead until 2020. In 2014, I created Younique to deliver gospel-centered life design through the church. It is now the world's only comprehensive, open-source life plan system.
In 2023, I founded Run Free as my official team-based consulting shop. We deliver the most innovative Vision Framing experiences available to church teams through the "Pivvot Process" and to network/denominational leaders through the "Denominee Process." We also offer team coaching to church leaders using the "Performance Practices" of meta-performance executive coaching.
I've written seven books: Future Church, Church Unique, Younique, Clarity Spiral, God Dreams, Innovating Discipleship, and Building Leaders. I enjoy speaking about clarity, calling, disciple-making, and vision. It's all about helping one another do more than we can imagine. I co-locate in Houston and Chile with my wife, Romy, and the last of my four children, Poema.
If you are interested in Run Free's consulting offerings or want to discuss getting a LifePlan, just reach out to set up a conversation.
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