Tag: leadership

Get Clear in 2021

2021 is moving quickly. Your New Year’s resolutions may already be slipping away. I have a good exercise for you to consider before more of 2021 slips by without accomplishing your goals. Consider this little formula, taken from a business book, for your life. “Clarity drives confidence, and confidence drives commitment!”* Clarify your Aims. Spend …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/get-clear-in-2021/

Vision Questions For Church Leaders Dealing with COVID-19

How is your 20/20 vision going? Just a guess, but I am thinking the Lord was laughing at some of our January sermons about our “20/20 vision” for the year! But all is not loss, church leaders should consider these five vision questions as they deal with COVID-19. These questions will help you use this …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/vision-questions-for-church-leaders-dealing-with-covid-19/

Idealized Preacher Talk or Real Life Practice?

The difference between what we preach and do truly determines the level and depth of our faith. As a preacher, I understand that churches can be guilty of “preacher talk.” “Preacher talk” is when the preacher speaks in this ideal and convicted way about what the Bible says and what we should do, but the …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/idealized-preacher-talk-or-real-life-practice/

Getting On and Off the Ministry Highway

The interstate system developed during the 1950s is successful because of the ease of getting on and off the road. The highway never stops. It is a constant flow of 65+ mph traffic. Drivers choose when they want on and when they want to get off. We call these entrance and exit ramps to allow …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/getting-on-and-off-the-ministry-highway/

The Suffering Shepherd

Being an elder in the Lord’s church is a daunting and stressful task. It comes with sleepless nights, sharp criticisms, and the burden of wayward sheep. While the concept of a suffering shepherd isn’t ideal–Heb. 13:17 encourages sheep to let elders serve with joy and not groaning–it is often the reality for shepherds. Thus, modern …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-suffering-shepherd/

Get All People to the Table!

John F. Kennedy had authorized the Bay of Pigs invasion into Cuba by Cuban exiles attempting to overthrow Fidel Castro, which was a complete military failure. Kennedy, adopting a CIA plan, had hoped to make it look like there was no US involvement. The entire episode was a failure and heightened the already tense Cold …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/get-all-people-to-the-table/

Grasshopper Mentality

Joshua and Caleb were ready to conquer the promised land. But ten other leaders who had gone with them to spy out the land feared the Canaanites. They encouraged Moses and the people of Israel to not invade the land. Their reasoning is seen in their statement “we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/grasshopper-mentality/

Aligning Your Dream with God’s Dream

Joseph dreamed two visions when he was a teen that his father and brothers would bow down to him one day. He would “reign over” them. His father rebuked him for the dreams and his brothers allowed their jealousy to turn to hatred (Gen. 37:5-11). Joseph had to live with these dreams for decades. How …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/aligning-your-dream-with-gods-dream/

Gaining Easy Victories

In 1996, Josh Clark wanted to give people easy victories so they could find joy in jogging. What an ambitious goal! After persevering through several failed attempts he had learned to enjoy jogging and the benefits that came with it. He developed a plan to give would-be runners easy victories by attaining small, manageable goals. …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/gaining-easy-victories/

A Cardiologist Models Christ-like Service

A few weeks ago, I was visiting some close friends and church members in the emergency room.  The brother had symptoms connected with heart problems, following a recent surgery.  An ambulance was called and they were receiving care.  The ER doctor wanted them to see a cardiologist.  The nurse was telling us about the cardiologist …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/a-cardiologist-models-christ-like-service/