The Virtue of Sideways Career Moves Most of us only think about our careers vertically, not sideways. We either move upward (promotion) or downward (demotion). But there’s another, often overlooked, route. This involves making crablike horizontal moves to take new positions at roughly the same level, title, and pay grade. Lateral moves may occur either with a current employer or a new one. When I was in my thirties, I switched from a director-level role with one relief and development ministry (World Concern) to a comparable job with another (World Relief).    Sideways moves are sur ..read more

Character and Skills in Hiring for a Christian Organization “…be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility towards everyone.” Titus 3: 1-2 Every Christian organization wants to extend God’s grace in Word and Deed. Doing so includes hiring staff. Social media emphasizes the importance of choosing people with the right skills. In my view, this can be a serious error. Of course, some skills are fundamental requirements to be employed. For example, if you are hiring a nurse or a teacher, certain qualifications must be met as a ba ..read more

Leading and Following as a Steward While leading and following may seem like opposite roles, in the context of stewardship, they are closely intertwined and complementary aspects of the same overarching responsibility. Let’s explore the essence of stewardship and how following and leading complement each other in the practice of this transformative model. The Steward Leader as Follower At the heart of steward leadership is recognizing that leaders are stewards entrusted with the care and well-being of their organizations, resources, relationships, and responsibilities. It goes beyond the conv ..read more

Faith in the War between Russia and Ukraine Early in April, the Moscow Patriarchate’s official website published “The Present and Future of the Russian World,” adopted at the XXV World Council of Russian People. The document opens with a theological rationale and lists several implications for Russian society’s political, social, and cultural life. Despite its quasi-Christian terminology, it does not take long to see that we are faced with an exposition that completely substitutes the most essential teachings of Christianity for a civil religion undergirding Russia’s current political ambitio ..read more

Learning to Listen and More! Mom was right. When all you do is talk, it just makes other people annoyed or mad. When you listen, good things tend to happen. Reflection “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” James 1:19 NLT Listening has so many benefits. You hear what is going on around you, focus on understanding what others are trying to share, and stay calm. Listening honors the ones speaking to you. It reduces tension and fends off anger. Listening leads to personal growth and wisdom. Talking too much has ma ..read more

The Transformational Power of Passion and Calling Nehemiah’s journey from cupbearer to transformative leader for the Israelites in Jerusalem highlights the incredible power of passion and calling in leadership. Nehemiah’s story begins with a heart-wrenching update from his brother Hanani about the dilapidated state of Jerusalem. The walls were in ruins, leaving the people vulnerable and discouraged. This news deeply moved Nehemiah, leading him to weep, fast, and pray. This moment is pivotal, showcasing that his leadership was not driven by position or power but by a profound empathy and a cal ..read more

Asking Questions About Values Alignment Investing is More Important Than Ever! Biblically responsible investing in the faith-based institutional world is growing as more products come onto the market, making it easier for faith-based institutions to invest in alignment with their beliefs. There are no official published screening guidelines for Protestants to follow, but most agree that screening out sin stocks, such as those practicing or affiliated with abortion, pornography, stem cell research, alcohol, and transgender services, is good practice. The fear used to be that these screens led ..read more

Philanthropic Impact for Nonprofit Christian Leaders Philanthropy plays a crucial role in advancing that mission. As leaders within the nonprofit Christian sector, we are deeply committed to stewarding our ministries and lives with excellence, honoring God. The 2024 Major Donor Generosity Report, compiled by Westfall Gold, offers valuable insights into significant donor engagement and the transformative potential of strategic philanthropic efforts. Philanthropic Trends In a world shaped by global events and economic shifts, the landscape of philanthropy continues to evolve. Despite these chan ..read more

What does the “Reign of Peace” mean to you? As you read these first few words of this blog, something is ruling in your heart. Right now, something has a hold of you, and its reign is dominating your thoughts, emotions, and attitude. What has dominion in your heart at this moment? How about when you wake up in the early morning hours as the day begins? What floods your mind, occupies your heart, and stirs your emotions? THE BATTLE There is a relentless battle being waged for the lordship of our hearts. The spirits of Christian leaders are a strategic target for the enemy driven to instill fea ..read more

A Poem of Purpose by Krista Bessleman As the Outcomes Conference 2024 closes, Krista Besselman shares a poem that captures the heart of this year’s theme: therefore. Krista found a heart for missions accounting in Papua New Guinea and still uses what she learned in her seven years there to support Bible translation from Texas. She writes poetry to process life’s ups, downs, and crises. Her favorite poems call herself—and others—to remember God’s faithfulness in every situation.  We trust this will encourage you today! Therefore In the neighborhoods around us And the streets of distant lan ..read more