Ministry Updates
David Phelan
Ministry Impact Report
Ministry Impact Report
Side By Side, Ministry Updates
Dawn Phelan
Side By Side (Winter 2024)
Side By Side (Winter 2024)
Side By Side, Ministry Updates
Dawn Phelan
Side By Side (Fall 2023)
Side By Side (Fall 2023)
Side By Side, Ministry Updates
Dawn Phelan
Side By Side (Summer 2023)
Side By Side (Summer 2023)
Shepherd to Shepherd, blogs
Dave Deets
When Men Have Miscarriages
When Men Have Miscarriages

Leadership

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Collaborative Leaders vs. Egotistical Leaders

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Collaborative Leaders vs. Egotistical Leaders

In the short yet powerful epistle of 3 John, the reader is presented with a comparison. On the one hand there is the Godly leader Gaius who apparently was impacted personally by John’s leadership and ministry. If you look closely at the first several verses, you will notice that John was committed to truth, hospitality and sharing the Lord’s work with other leaders. John was a collaborative leader and Gaius faithfully followed in John’s footsteps. These men contrast with  the egotistical leader named Diotrephes. John notes that this leader was so preoccupied with his own greatness and agenda he actively pushed away anyone not assisting him in his all-consuming quest for preeminence.

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The Danger of Being a Unilateral Decision Maker

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The Danger of Being a Unilateral Decision Maker

Several years ago I wrote a book on decision-making in the local church, in which I addressed how to know when to be decisive. Many leaders struggle with discerning when they should make a unilateral decision versus when to pause and listen to the views of other members of the leadership team. The question becomes, “is this a situation that requires me to lead unilaterally, or is it better to  allow others’ perspectives to shape and guide the final outcome?”

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Five Practical Characteristics of Meaningful Devotions

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Five Practical Characteristics of Meaningful Devotions

To be completely honest, I’m surprised that we even need to focus on the topic of daily devotions. It is an obvious practice that all Christians ought to be utilizing.  In our churches we encourage new believers to develop this foundational practice.  So it should be second nature for God’s leaders to have a daily time alone with God. Yet we at IBL know by experience that many leaders skip right past this crucial time as they head into the hectic workday serving Christ and His Kingdom.  Unfortunately, it is commonplace as we counsel couples having significant personal spiritual struggles, or as we coach individuals stressed by the weight of leadership decisions, that we find ourselves needing to give counsel about the practice of daily devotions. 

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The Secret to Maintaining Perspective in the Midst of Busyness

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The Secret to Maintaining Perspective in the Midst of Busyness

Focus. How elusive it is. Demands of ministry. Urgent needs. Crises. Schedules full to overflowing. Never-ending stress. Intensity! Those of us on the IBL team face these conditions more often than not. I’ve often said to my wife, “We’re so busy we don’t know how to cram one more thing into our schedule.” How about you?

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The Importance of Understanding and Embracing Your Ministry Identity

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The Importance of Understanding and Embracing Your Ministry Identity

In our pursuit of serving biblical leaders, we are starting several series of practical articles covering a variety of topics helpful for ministry leaders. Today’s article is the first in a series called Shepherd to Shepherd. This series will feature pastors writing honestly about the varied challenges of faithful service.

Mentoring: the Singular Objective

Mentoring: the Singular Objective

In IBL’s coaching, consulting and counseling ministries we are often involved in one-on-one mentoring situations with ministry leaders. These are intimate and privileged relationships borne from a trust that is earned over time, tested, and blessed by God. The foundation of these relationships is unconditional love, and the singular objective is to help leaders develop greater degrees of victorious living, as reflected in their personal lives and public ministries.

Crisis: A Biblical and Practical Response

Crisis: A Biblical and Practical Response

Most of the time… I hate crisis! Usually a crisis is crushing and physically if not emotionally exhausting! The Scriptures are clear that, while I may desire to run from a crisis like a six-year-old runs from broccoli, as a servant of Christ crises in my life and ministry often cannot be avoided! The good news is that, when responding rightly to crises, they can actually be spiritually, emotionally and even physically good for me.

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