Category Archives: High Performance

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The Fog Has Lifted – What Do You See Pt 3

The Resilient Leader

What are your coping mechanisms for seasons of high stress? What is your overall mental, emotional, and physical health strategy? If resilience is the ability to bounce back, to persevere, how do you do that? These are powerful questions for the modern-day faith leader to ponder. Allow me to add an additional layer of complexity to this blog article. Consider the following two quotes that may appear to be contradictory, yet both are true at the same time.

Leadership is not getting what you want – it is replicating who you are – John Maxwell

We are not the churches we lead or the sermons we preach. We are beloved children of God -Glenn Packiam

Let’s begin with Dr. Packiam’s statement. He is suggesting that our primary starting presupposition is that of recognizing and living in the reality of being a child of God. From this context we lead others based upon the daily realization of Heaven’s impact upon my living first. We do not force people into our plans and dreams, we lead people based upon our relationship and daily walk with Christ Jesus. From Dr. Packiam’s position, Dr. John Maxwell’s position is also true. Dr. Maxwell is leaving open the idea that no matter your starting presupposition you ultimately get who you are not what you desire.

What we know for a fact, the resent two years have been the most challenging years of faith leadership ever recorded in history. These challenges have flushed out the starting presuppositions of church leaders and congregations. What we have come to realize during our pandemic season is that Biblical discipleship is not near as strong and resilient as we might have supposed. This will be an upcoming blog article. However, what I can say is that resilient leadership is required NOW to discover a fresh articulation of Vision, Mission, and Measurement of what matters most beyond the pandemic.

Let’s consider some hard truths about Pastoral support systems that are now evident thanks to the Barna Research Group (The State of Your Church report). Consider the following:

83% of ministers can recall a specific time in which they knew they were called into vocational ministry.

38% of ministers have seriously considered leaving their vocational calling in the last 10 months.

38% of ministers talk with someone about their mental and emotional state of being.

24% of ministers meet with a Mentor

12% of ministers meet with a Counselor

Pastoral Ministry is relational work that often involves an “illusion of intimacy”. Think about it – Ministers are usually present in people’s deepest moments of joy and deepest moments of sorrow. We are not there as a Sunday afternoon buddy watching football together. There is an inconsistency of intimacy. This inconsistency can and will take its’ toll upon the heart and life of ministers. Ministers call upon deep and real emotions in the circumstance that requires it which in turn is exhausting and usually our tank is empty for any other relationship. 

Resilience is formed in the context of right relationships. Cultivating these relationships requires that we move beyond the illusion of intimacy and taking the time, according to Dr. Packiam to seek out a constellation of lives that can help us navigate the storms of ministerial life. He continues by stating that We need sages to advise us, leaders to direct us or hold us accountable, peers to remind us that we aren’t alone, healers to dress our wounds and companions who carry us when we can’t carry on.

So that we are not tempted to think that resilient leadership is easy or there are quick fixes allow me to close with the research of Professor Jeffery Hall at the University of Kansas. In a ground-breaking study Dr. Hall wrote in the The Journal of Social and Personal Relationships in 2018 the following: it takes “between 40 and 60 hours to form a casual friendship, 80–100 hours to transition to becoming a friend and more than 200 hours together to become good friends.” According to Hall’s study, the hours spent at work together don’t count as much. However, we need lasting and meaningful relationships if we are going to last in the ministry and remain fully human. Cultivating these relationships will take time! It is worth taking the time!

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Socialism

Cultural Transformation

Is this a leader that you would follow and espouse their ideology? Consider this leaders work-ethic; Was evicted because of excessive alcoholism, tobacco use, never exercised, suffered from warts, and boils due to a lack of proper hygiene, his body odor was atrocious. The apartment was completely broke, smashed, spilled, busted, falling apart from toys to chairs, plates cups, and tables.[1] His wife thought of suicide daily and his two daughters fulfilled their mothers desire with both committing suicide – one at 43 and the other at 66. The leadership principles espoused by this individual would have a near 50% approval rating in America in 2020. 40% of Americans, 47% of Millennials, and 49% of Gen-Z’s would state this ideology is not only believable but should be advanced. Who is this individual you asked? His name is Karl Marx!

Erwin Lutzer writes in his book We Will Not Be Silenced, discusses the type of Marxism that we face currently called Cultural Marxism. This is not being imposed on the battlefields, instead, it is a form of Marxism that wins the hearts and minds of people incrementally by the gradual transformation of our culture. Bombarded with exaggerated and illusionary promises, people accept it because they want to, they welcome its benefits. It promises hope and change, income equality, racial harmony, and justice based upon secular values rather than Judeo-Christian morality.[2]

Biblically speaking, “The whole world marveled…and gave allegiance to the beast…And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. And all the people who belong to this world worshipped the beast” (Revelation 13:3,7-8 NLT). “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8). Since the Bible pre-dates Marxism, it would be safe to say the interpretation of scripture theologically, apologetically, and linguistically communicates to us a period will arise in which there will be efforts made to control and equalize all things for the global population. This has been fore-told ancient history. History is filled with illustrations of socialism even to our current day. There is more of an alignment of the present-day trajectory of socialism and biblical prophecy than at any other time. Argue against it if you will, but there is no denying of ancient fore-telling and current events of social cultural Marxism and the end of days than right now!

The real argument is no longer about political parties, we are in a war for the heart and spirit of nations. This is about control, submission, and dominance. The New Testament Gospel book of Mark 13 is loaded with last days prophetic imagery. Read it if you dare! Open your mind to ancient wisdom. Socialism is not new but ancient going all the way back to Noah and the post-flood era of history. Today’s leadership strategy calls for an infinite mindset. We are not leading for short-term accomplishments. We lead from a legacy viewpoint. I lead today so that my work and mission survive well beyond my tenure and accolades. This style of leadership gives purpose, reason, and hope for those currently and future members who join your team. Lead from a position of strength and a compelling vision for a brighter tomorrow.

[1] Kengor, The Devil and Karl Marx. P.72

[2] Erwin Lutzer, We Will Not Be Silenced: Responding Courageously to Our Culture’s Assault on Christianity (Eugene OR: Harvest House, 2020), p.21.

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Growth Doesn’t Just Happen

Key Questions

What is the difference between Goals and Growth?

Where do you want to go in life?

What direction do you want to go?

What is the farthest you can imagine going?

How long will it take?

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Keynote Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

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My Top 5 Growth Strategies

Did I tell You The Cost? They are FREE!

Here are my Top 5 Growth Strategies that will not cost you a single penny. As a Faith Leader, move beyond the notion that greatness always costs a lot of money. Mentally you become stuck when you believe that money is the end of all things. Money will cause you to overlook the basics of leadership. Here are my Top 5 Growth Strategies:

  1. Smile More – Stop looking like you just sucked a lemon
  2. Encourage People To Love Your Mission, Not Your Methods – Skinny Jeans, Big Screens, Smoke Machines, Growth Tracks are not your reason for existence
  3. Make Your Vision Bigger Than Yourself – If you can accomplish your vision today, it is not big enough
  4. Show More Passion – As a Faith Leader you have the most amazing mission on the plant, with a willing generation in front you that desires to connect to something bigger than themselves. Act like you are passionate about this fact.
  5. Treat Your Volunteers Better – You have an amazing army at your fingertips. There are non-currency methods that communicates your genuine appreciation for their work.

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Keynote Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

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Self-Awareness Post Covid – URGENT!

As we begin to emerge from our National Quarantine there will be a number of mental health issues that we all will need to address on some level. Many people will come out of this season healthy and invigorated. Others are going to come out of this season stunned and even shocked at how different life feels and looks. “Normal” will not return, history shows us this very fact following other pandemics and major crisis points in history. What is certain is that all pandemics conclude, and all crisis pass. What remains uncertain is whether all will emerge mentally healthy and stable!

The week leading up to Mother’s Day 2020 is a glaring reminder that under the surface things are unstable to say the least. Amad Arbery is a victim of racial hatred that led to murder and Darrin Patrick, Mega-Church Leader apparently ended his life at a gun range. Let’s be clear, racial bigotry on any level is not acceptable! Church Leaders that are placed on national pedestals without true and real safeguards is not healthy for the minister or the church.

Call To Action

With the Arbery and Patrick stories that brought us to Mother’s Day 2020, I simply cannot remain silent. I am offering an 8/30 Self-Awareness Coaching Experience (8 hours in 30 days) for Faith Leaders and your spouse as a bonus, by utilizing 2 World Class Tools. This will be a one-on-one experience. So, I am asking for your response….

  • If you are a Religious Leader and/or Staff Pastor I am asking you to prayerfully consider my offer to you and your spouse when you click the link below.
    • DO NOT LIVE IN SILENCE ALONE
  • If you are an attendee at any worship center then I am asking you to….
    • Pray for your leadership team daily for the next 30-days
    • Prayerfully consider making an investment into the health of other Religious Leaders by paying it forward. Click the link below.

I am compelled to action! I am a Faith Leader just like you! I have vested my life into Kingdom purposes to Make A Difference, With People Just Like You, Who Are Making A Difference!

I am not asking you to TRUST me – I am asking you to TEST me!

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Three P’s


Forge Resiliency and Mental Toughness to Succeed at an Elite Level

Over the last few weeks we have been examining the book Unbeatable Mind. Author Mark Divine states there are three questions that must be answered in order to fulfill the most important question in life, Who are you and Why are you here on earth? Here are the three questions;

  1. Passion: What fires me up and motivates me to get out of bed in the morning?
  2. Principles: What is it that I truly value in life?
  3. Purpose: What is the one thing that you have been placed on earth to do?

If your desire is to live an uncommon life that matters you must answer the Why am I here question first. Learn to remain content with where you are while executing simple strategies for getting to where you desire to go.

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

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Being Emotionally Resilient

Forge Resiliency and Mental Toughness to Succeed at an Elite Level

Author Mark Divine states that being emotionally resilient and a survivor is crucial to the question, What is your why?” What are you willing to do to bring your why into reality? Along with these two questions add in positive self-esteem, positive attitude, optimistic outlook that I will succeed, and focus on others around you.

What is your answer to the million dollar question in your life, “What am I willing to do to make sure that MY WHY comes to fruition?” Take a few minutes tom write out your response to the following;

This is my WHY ______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________.

This is what I am willing to do so that my WHY will to life ___________

______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________ .

Now that you have this in writing add in positive self-esteem, positive attitude, optimistic outlook that I will succeed, and focus on others around you.

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

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Starve Fear Fear Courage

Forge Resiliency and Mental Toughness to Succeed at an Elite Level

Author Mark Divine writes that negativity can and will destroy performance, so it is vitally important to train yourself to move from negative thinking to starving those thoughts ad fee the positive thoughts. He goes on to write a four-step process on how this can occur.

  1. Recognize or witness negativity
  2. Stop the negative thoughts with positive power statements of affirmation
  3. Redirect your thoughts with self-talk and imagination by focusing on positive and product thoughts that feed your current goals
  4. Create a mantra for your new mental attitude.

The book cover shows Mark staring into the eyes of a wolf. He uses the analogy of the battle of two wolves battling for position in the mind. Which one will win? The one that you feed!

Installing mental positive habits require practice, practice, and practice some more. Never allow you mind to dictate who is in charge. Bring all thoughts captive…….

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Self Confidence


Forge Resiliency and Mental Toughness to Succeed at an Elite Level

Author Mark Divine states that self-confidence of a SEAL is both a character trait and skill. The skill is to rack up small worthy and achievable victories on the way to mission accomplishment. In addition, it requires being able to reframe failures to find the silver lining. With these two skills, you will have the self-confidence to attack any challenge. Your confidence in your domain of expertise will grow as your success grows.

The word “CONFIDENT” in its original meaning means, “extreme trust.” This level of intense trust is gained through hard work. You must show up consistently, persistently, in a manner that you know whatever life throws your way, you can handle it.

Self confidence is both a trait and a skill. This means self-confidence can be taught and learned as a skill. Success and Stress are defined by choice. It is the small choices, not the big choices that make the difference between good and excellent.