After twenty years in vocational ministry, Kathy and I have a habit of forewarning new hires at UBN to expect trouble. The enemy doesn’t want our ministry to succeed. It’s not uncommon to watch new employees experience significant challenges. Challenges may be health related, household appliances breaking, or event persecution. One of our employees recently shared that it was ...
During my final Graduate School of Banking summer, I was a new Christian. My midwestern peers noticed a difference and seemed determined to draw me back into drunkenness and debauchery. One evening, my peers decided to visit a strip club. It suddenly became their mission to ridicule and pressure me to join them. I locked myself in the bathroom until ...
As someone who has hired hundreds of speakers, I take seriously the responsibility of hiring someone to speak God’s truths to our network. I’ve experienced the awe of watching Henry Blackaby speak a powerful message from God during the 2008 stock market collapse. But I’ve also experienced the horror of a speaker offending our audience by speaking to issues I ...
My friend and former police officer, Steve, once told me, “I never had a problem chasing a man that I suspected had a gun. But if I had to stand before a large audience and speak like you do, I would be petrified.” God didn’t design Steve for public speaking, and He didn’t design me to pursue criminals. 1 Peter ...
As the Kansas City Chiefs headed to Super Bowl LIX recently, the Press questioned Kansas City Chiefs kicker, Harrison Butker, again about his controversial statements made at a Catholic University in 2024. According to the Associated Press, Butker said, “I don’t feel the need to apologize for anything.” He added, “I feel like God’s prepared me for that moment to feel ...
Recently, I was a judge in an entrepreneurial pitch event for college students. My job was to listen to six startup business presentations, ask clarifying questions, then, provide feedback or recommendations. The thought and work of each of these young people was impressive. The event for me was a reminder, however, that the most critical factor in any new ...
The ESPN documentary “Broke” showcased the challenges of professional athletes who suddenly come into huge salaries without adequate preparation for handling their new wealth. Even though the profiled athletes had amazing talents and power on the field, they strained to effectively manage their money. They struggled with greed, peer competition for the flashiest purchases, and separating their finances from the ...
A recent Gallup poll1 found that 42 percent of employees who voluntarily left their organizations reported that their manager or organization could have done something to prevent them from leaving. Follow-up research found that managers could have made a difference if they had engaged employees in discussions about their job satisfaction, performance, or future with the organization. Managers can’t always ...
When it’s back-to-school time many parents are looking for a little grace and a family-friendly workplace. It takes time and effort for involved parents to get kids settled into a new school year. One way for an employer to build loyalty with their employees is to allow parents flexibility when needed. Since the work that these parents/employees still needs ...
An economic indicator I find valuable is the National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index. This index checks the pulse of small business owners. The 50-year average score for this optimism index has been 98. Last month, the index fell to 88.5, the lowest level since 2012. The primary concern listed in the survey by these entrepreneurs is ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
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