How to Write an Effective Blog Post
A Framework for Blog Writing Writing a blog is an amazing way to share your heart and ideas with the world. But, do you know how to create an effective blog post? The good news is Google wants to share your relevant information with those searching. First, you need to help Google understand the purpose of your post. As you think through your blog, consider why you're writing. What is the purpose of your blog? Who's your audience? What sort of subjects will your blog focus on? Take away: When you write a blog, focus on sharing helpful information, not selling a product. ...
Volunteer Role Clarity Makes a Difference
Lack of Volunteer Role Clarity Lack of volunteer role clarity can lead to confusion and frustration. No one likes not knowing what's going on. Imagine walking onto a large green field for the first time to play a new game called, "Garble Ball." The ref hands you large yellow ball, blows his whistle and instructs you to play. But, you have no idea what to do. You don't understand the rules, boundaries, or even how to score to win. By not knowing how to play, you would undoubtedly mess up pretty quickly. It would not take long for you to become frustrated ...
Assessing the True Cause of an Organizational Problem
Addressing Organizational Problems Organizational problems are sometimes difficult to assess and solve. Leaders often feel like they're playing a game of whack-a-mole, trying to whack whatever the most glaring problem is at the time. But, have you ever noticed the issue with this approach? As leaders, we tend to use the same tools to attack the same problems time after time. Or, we push on one problem, only to see another rise in a different area. Peter Senge, senior lecturer at the MIT school of management, was bothered by this common phenomenon. He researched the topic and wrote a book in response ...
Understanding Volunteer Expectations
Understanding Volunteer Expectations When serving as a volunteer, have you ever said to yourself, "Oh no, what did I get myself into?" If so, you're not alone. Understanding volunteer exceptions is very important in order to retain volunteers during the on boarding process. In a 2016 research study Walker, Accadia, and Casta found that something called psychological contract breach is a contributing factor to volunteers quitting. The theory behind psychological contract breach believes that people form expectations (either stated or unstated) about how an organization will treat them in a certain role. When these expectations are not met, it's called ...
Things My Kids Say #4
I’ve continued collecting some of the things my kids say. Kids may drive us crazy sometimes, but there is no question they keep life interesting. For perspective: Caleb- Age 10 Logan- Age 7 Micah- Age 4 Dad- Hard to say Wife- Ageless 1. On the roof Logan, running inside: "Daddy, Caleb needs you." David: "Why" Logan: "Uh....because he's on the roof of the garage." David (only somewhat surprised): "Why is Caleb on the roof"? Logan: "He threw a frisbee on it and now he can't get down." 2. Cleveland Sympathy Caleb after visiting the Cleveland Orchestra: "I loved it! Did ...
Learning Why Volunteers Quit
As a pastor, I've had many volunteers quit over the years. It's not fun; it's frustrating and often confusing. As I've begun a doctoral program in Leadership studies this fall, I'm excited to have an opportunity to investigate answers to the question of why volunteers quit in a more formal way. One of the most interesting details I've noticed recently is a common thread through every framework setting up volunteer research. Research studies will often mention a theory or framework they'll use to build their research study on. The theory used will help direct questions or hypothesize potential responses for ...
Where Have the Evangelicals Gone
Deep Divide There was something about this past presidential election that struck a cord deep into the soul of America. Some would argue it was more like a lightning strike that split the ground deep, producing a dark divide in our country. Others would suggest that divide has always been there, just hiding in the shadows like an angry dragon, waiting patiently to attack the unassuming village below. I would count myself in the common category of individuals not too enthralled with either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, but it truly hurts my heart to think that Donal Trump somehow ...
Leadership is Helpfulness
In the end, everyone's simply looking for a way to sweeten their deal. This is what our trainer at Bartell & Bartell shared while teaching us about personality assessment. He meant that if most people were honest, they're just looking for a way to make things a little better for themselves. It was in this context that he explained Servant Leadership. A lot has been written about servant leadership recently. It was actually popularized as a leadership style in 1970 by Robert Greenleaf with his book, Servant Leadership. The idea, shown in the picture below, is to invert the traditional leadership ...
3 Complications with Looking for Church Volunteer Leadership
Where are the Leaders? Churches, like most organizations, are always looking for leaders. I recently read an interesting article meant to help church leaders determine whether congregants are leaders or simply doers. Although I agree developing leaders is one of the greatest challenges any organization faces, I disagree with placing people in these two categories. In fact, I believe attempting to distinguish between those worthy to be called leader from those who merely do can actually hurt leadership development in your church or organization. Part of the problem is we set the concept of leader on a high throne and then ...
The Church and the Bachelor Have Something in Common
There was a time, not too long ago, when my wife would find herself drawn into the weekly drama of the Bachelor and the Bachelorette. At first I made fun of her, wondering how in the world any reasonable person could be drawn into such drivel. But I confess, soon even I began to wonder who would receive the coveted rose each week, wining the eventual marriage proposal. We eventually fully broke up with the show, finding the secret was not watching the first episode. Ok, now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, we can move on. I found ...