The Sociological Quarterly published a notable research report on student achievement and church attendance.The bottom line of the report: students who attend church weekly have higher GPAs. Additionally, they are less likely to drop out of school and connect better with other students in school. The entire journal article can be read here. LiveScience.com also reported on the research: Students who attend religious services weekly average a GPA .144 higher than those who never attend services...The Read more [...]

Much debate exists in the academic world on the difference between managers and leaders. Some say the leader position and the manager position are mutually exclusive – managers are concerned with how things are accomplished; leaders are concerned with what is accomplished. Others see overlap between the two roles. Regardless of the technicalities of the debate, much church work must be managed. And this work can become a hurdle for the church leader without proper management. In doing some reading Read more [...]

Erin and I leave for Sarasota, Florida early tomorrow morning. We have enjoyed our ministry in Southern Indiana. Though we are excited about our new season of ministry, we will greatly miss many people. And we will continue to pray that God works here in incredible ways.   The view of the landscape from our front porch will change – from corn to palm trees – but the mission to reach the people of the community remains the same. Read more [...]

As some of you may know, my wife and I are moving to Sarasota, FL to begin a new phase of ministry at Sarasota Baptist Church. We're incredibly excited. Ironically, this new season of ministry begins at the height of hurricane season. We arrive on Wednesday at about the same time as Fay. HT: Tim Brister Read more [...]

In 1978 James MacGregor Burns published his seminal work, Leadership. This book shifted and shaped the paradigm on leadership studies. As a result of his work, researchers and biographers discussed less the character traits of leaders and focused more on the engagement of leaders with their followers for a common goal. Burns’ book focused primarily on the political sphere, but his leadership theories struck a chord with many. Other experts in the field quickly picked up Burns’ mantle, empirically Read more [...]