Without a doubt, ministry is busy, demanding and people intensive. In this sort of work it is easy to get drained out and worn down by what we do. But leaders, we need to get away. Take a look at the life of Jesus. He was no exception to this. His life was busy. In …
Shadow-Casting Monsters: Parker Palmer on dealing with our souls, part 3
Bringing my reflections on Parker Palmer's five 'shadow-casting monsters' from his book Let Your Life Speak, I want to bring our attention to the fourth and fifth of that list today. Shadow-Casting Monsters #4: 4. "Fear, especially our fear of the natural chaos of life" (89). Don't we fear the chaos of things? Having participated in …
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Shadow-Casting Monsters: Parker Palmer on dealing with our souls, part 2
Continuing my reflections on Parker Palmer's five 'shadow-casting monsters' in the life of a leader from his book Let Your Life Speak, I turn now to numbers three, which is: "'Functional atheism', the belief that the ultimate responsibility for everything rests with us" (88). Here's a bit more from Palmer on this one: This is the unconscious, …
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Shadow-Casting Monsters: Parker Palmer on dealing with our souls, part 1
Awhile back, I read through Parker Palmer's brief book Let Your Life Speak. This is an outstanding book on life and leadership. Palmer has worked quite a bit with educators and as an advocate for peace in our world today. He comes from a Quaker background. To set the tone of what he is trying …
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10 Questions for Every Leader
Tuesday morning at our all staff meeting for Eastbrook Church, we watched a message by Bill Hybels called "The 360-Degree Leader." It sparked some meaningful conversation around the topic of self-leadership or self-care. Here are ten questions that Hybels recommended for every leader to consider in relation to self-leadership. I'd love to hear your thoughts …
Matthew Erickson 