All of the categories in this blog are organized around The Vision Integration Model. In my work with churches over the years, I have been captivated by the question, "Is there a clear way that any church could organize [...]
I enjoyed the way a pastor referred to branding schizophrenia in his church. Their church had just completed the Vision Pathway process with Auxano to clarify their vision, and develop their brand. As an effective yet over-programmed mega-church running [...]
On my recent visit to San Francisco to meet with my publisher (Sheryl Fullerton at Jossey-Bass) I made a last minute change in hotels. The Whitcomb Hotel on Market Street was the best rate I could find, but the [...]
I had the privilege of sharing the platform with Randy Frazee last Saturday at the first staff and elder leadership meeting at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. His transition from Willow Creek to Max Lucado’s church has been [...]
During the lead team meeting at Faithbridge UMC in North Houston, Ken Werlein regularly challenges his team with this question. Questions are one of the leaders greatest tools, and this one is a bazooka! This question polarizes reality for [...]
This line is from the stellar strategist- Andy Stanely. When my friend Caz McCaslin (founder of Upward sports) first heard the “systems talk” at the Catalyst Reverb conference, he called me and we discussed it for what seemed [...]
Shifting From Strategic Planning to Strategic Agility At the end of last year, I wrote about the need to put the old strategic planning model out to pasture and embrace a new method that focuses on developing strategic agility.Here’s why [...]
Cardboard testimonies Northwest Bible ChurchHere's the scoop: Good ShepherdProject Snowflake: The Cove [...]
In the last decade, the multisite strategy has become a popular way for churches to grow. "Multisite" simply means having two or more locations as one church (one senior pastor, one budget, etc.) Today there are twice as many multisite [...]
3 Catalysts for Jesus Disciplemaking Ministry In each of the three synoptic gospels we see a different scene in the life of Jesus just before he calls his twelve disciples. Each snapshot reveals a unique aspect of both the heart [...]
I just looked at Relevant's re-release of Neue. I like the new Neue- it's traditional magazine format is a better reading experience that the journal format [...]
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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