Leadership – Page 4 – The Doug Ellingsworth Blog

Jesus’ Method of Church Planting

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on May 20, 2015

There are lots of opinions on the best and most effective ways to plant new churches. The best method is probably the one that actually gets put into action instead of just discussed. But as I pondered the earthly ministry of our Lord, I thought how he planted His church was worth noting.

For the foundational leaders, He selected men who had knowledge of the Word of God, but were not (it appears) in active leadership roles where they worshipped. He chose hard working men, men from occupations that required determination and persistence.

Leadership/Living

Bid Me Come!

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on April 21, 2015

1432608_37621660 Lord, Bid Me Come!

I’d like to know what Peter was thinking as he clung to the sides of the boat and stared at the dark form moving toward him on the waves. Was he remembering something Jesus had said or done earlier? Did he experience a sudden rush of faith? Was he scared out of his wits? Whatever it was moved him to call out, “Lord, bid me come!”

Leadership/Ministry

Avoiding Trouble!

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on March 30, 2015

As a crisis chaplain and pastor, I’ve worked to help churches avoid problems that could result in a crisis. Here is a quick look at the four areas where trouble for churches lurk.

Administration. Far too many churches have no bylaws or haven’t bothered to consult them in years. The same person who counts the offering writes the checks and keeps the books. Nobody is sure what insurance policies cover, and there is no coverage for counseling or directors’ liability. There is no written employment agreement for paid employees, and pastor’s tax status is incorrect. These are just a few ways that trouble can enter.

Leadership/Ministry

The Fourth of the Top Five

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on January 27, 2015

As I’ve gone back through the books I read in 2014, I’ve found stories and lessons I’d forgotten. More than once, I’ve had to force myself to stop reading a book I’d read just a few months ago. That’s a problem when you like stories! This is one of those books that includes stories.

Love Works is a book that shares the management and leadership philosophy of Joel Manby who heads up Herschend Family Entertainment – the company that owns and operates Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, and works with strategic partners like Dolly Parton in other venues.

Folks began asking about his leadership style after seeing him on the television program Undercover Boss. In response, this book was created.

Love Works contains the seven principles that guide and inform Mr. Manby’s leadership style. With themes pulled directly from scripture, the seven principles can be adapted by leaders at any level and in any role. The seven are: patient, kind, trusting, unselfish, truthful, forgiving, and dedicated. Stories from the real world illustrate how these are applied in real-life situations.

While the principles are Bible based, the book does not come across as a sermon cloaked in a business suit. Mr. Manby does a great job showing that kindness and respect for people can exist in a fast-paced and competitive work environment.

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In just a few days, we will be drawing names from our email list to give copies of books, including Love Works, to our friends. Please forward this post to anyone you think would be interested in joining our community.

Leadership/Resources

One Of My Top Five

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on January 12, 2015

There’s something about the leafless landscape and chilly days of winter. The cold wind jolts you into reality. Yes, 2014 did go by that quickly. And yes, we are already knee deep in a brand new year.

For me, closing a year requires a review of its events, both its failures and successes. New Year’s Day marked the mid-point of my seventeenth year as pastor of our church. The cumulative successes and failures of that role insist on being examined, too. All of this examining and soul searching leads to marking up next year’s calendar with every event and idea that I need to accomplish to make-up for the things I bungled or failed to get done in the previous seventeen.

We all know how that story will end.

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Leadership/Ministry

Becoming The Church Our Grandparents Were Forced To Leave

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on September 16, 2014

For the first fifty years of the 1900’s, most communities viewed Pentecostals as undesirables. This group of folks claiming a spiritual experience that had been outside mainstream Christianity for years were springing up everywhere and nobody knew what to do with them. One thing was certain: their experience did not mesh with most churches’ worship traditions. Claiming that baptism in the name of Jesus was the only correct formula was the final straw. Those who embraced this “new” doctrine found themselves unwelcome in most mainline and community churches.

The church I pastor started as a tent revival in 1916. When the evangelist took down his tent and moved on, the new Pentecostal congregation began meeting in the local Community Church – a building that all faiths shared and used to hold their worship services. Things were fine for a while, but one day the Pentecostals arrived at church to find that the locks had been changed and they were no longer welcome to use the church that the whole community shared. Their noisy worship, speaking in tongues, and baptizing folks in Jesus name wasn’t going to be tolerated any longer.

Leadership/Living

Police Brutality In The United States?

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on August 22, 2014

The recent events in suburban St. Louis have rekindled the always smoldering fire that accuses our nation’s police officers of being trigger-happy and looking for somebody to beat up on.

Is that an accurate picture? Are we victims who need to be leery of the very men and women who have sworn to protect and serve us?

While there are villains in every occupational group, including yours and mine, what do the facts say about our law enforcement officers in general?

Leadership/Living

Why I Feel Sorry For Guys Like John Koskinen

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on June 25, 2014

Over the past few days, I’ve listened to some of the hearings Congress is holding regarding the IRS scandals, in particular, the one where the IRS targeted conservative groups, including religious organizations, slowing or denying them tax exempt status. As I watched some of the video replayed, I was shocked at the IRS Commissioner’s behavior. Completely ignoring the decorum and air of respect for Congress that are normally part of these proceedings, he interrupted speakers, belittled their statements, and did everything except answer their questions. And all the while, wearing a smug arrogant smile that told us all how proud he was of himself. I would have not been surprised if he were a young and inexperienced man, but he should know better.

At first, I wanted to reach through the internet and slap that smirk off his face. But late last night as I considered all of the day’s events, I found myself feeling sorry for Mr. Koskinen.

Leadership/Resources/Writing

10 Reasons To Follow Michael Hyatt

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on April 9, 2014

Every half-second, somewhere in the world, somebody creates a brand-new blog, joining the 152,000,000 that already exist. That’s a lot of traffic flowing down Al Gore’s information superhighway.

So, which ones should you read? Other than this one, of course.

One blog that should be on your must-read list is Michael Hyatt’s. If you are unfamiliar with him, I’ll give a quick rundown on why his blog is essential reading.

Leadership

Prepare Now!

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on March 22, 2014

Who knew winter would last so long? Listening to the global warming crowd, I thought winter would be packed up and gone by New Year’s night. But here are, Spring having officially arrived, and the eastern coast of the United States is preparing for yet another snow storm.

But toss the mittens in the corner and pull your chair up to the fire. We need to talk.

For much of the middle and southeastern regions of our country, Spring brings with it strong, and occasionally, violent storms. Where these storms will occur is not always easy to predict, but the fact that they will come is indisputable. So, gathered around our warm fire, now is the time to plan what we are going to do if those storms come raging through our neighborhood.

Category: Leadership

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