Posts by Bold Leading
When Enough Feels Like Enough: A Word for the Worn-Out Leader
A personal letter to executive directors, ministry leaders, and nonprofit founders who are tired, discouraged, and wondering if it’s time to walk away. In 1997, I moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota—just after the waters of the city’s historical Red River flood had receded. What stuck with me wasn’t merely the devastation from waters that…
Read More3 Moves to Revitalize Your Leadership: Pray, Protect, Prepare!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Leading a nonprofit is never easy—especially if you’re stepping into a new role or trying to breathe life into a weary organization. You may feel the…
Read MoreDo Hard Today and Tomorrow Too!
Developing processes that are teachable, repeatable, and yield results. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Are you facing something hard today? You’re not alone. Scripture never promises life will be easy—but it does promise that God will be…
Read MoreTRY This: How to Build Systems Worth Doing Again and Again
Developing processes that are teachable, repeatable, and yield results. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” —Colossians 3:23 If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well. If something is worth doing well, it’s worth doing again. Whether you’re planning a gala,…
Read MoreExecutive Directors: How Can You Go from Burnout to Blessing.
“In ministry leadership, the difference between God’s blessing and burnout may come down to this: Will you take things in your own hand or leave them in God’s care?” “Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and…
Read More5 Ways To Make Your Donor’s Philanthropic Journey Enjoyable
Five Ways to make Philanthropic Journey Enjoyable Our job as nonprofit fundraisers is to find those donors who like the things we “need” to do the things we “want” to help those we love. In order to do this, we have to concentrate on the donor’s philanthropic journey. We like to describe a Philanthropic Journey…
Read MoreCoaching Over Control: A Better Way to Lead Your Ministry
How Executive Directors Can Build Teams That Reflect the Kingdom “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 When You Have a…
Read MoreFrom Bookkeeper to CEO
What a Top Employee Taught Me about Team Culture I’ve worked with a lot of incredible people over the years. Heather is one of the best. Her grit and attitude ultimately led her to become a CEO. But she didn’t start with a big title. She came into the first organization I led as a bookkeeper. And…
Read MoreWork Out What God Works In
An Open Letter to Executive Directors Trying to Grow, Reboot, or Rebuild Their Ministries. I know what it’s like to lie awake at night wondering if the money will come in. I’ve stared at a payroll report knowing we didn’t have enough to cover it. I’ve felt that awful tension between the vision God gave me and…
Read MoreLeading with Time: How Presence Becomes Your Most Powerful Ministry
In a World of Noise and Urgency, Learn How Slowing Down and Showing Up Can Transform Your Leadership and Your Ministry The Moment That Stopped the Tour We were walking through the shelter, giving a tour to a few guests, when someone paused the conversation. He looked at us—our CEO and me—and said something I…
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