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

THE FORGE – The Power of Discipleship The Outcomes Conference 2024 attendees will gather to screen the movie THE FORGE tonight. The conference theme is, therefore, a word that connects biblical truth to how God desires us to respond to it. While used throughout scripture, it appears in one of the most significant scriptures in God’s Word: The Great Commission. Then, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on eart ..read more

Experience Guides Make Space for God to Work Conference Experience Guides make a difference! Tomorrow, April 9, the Christian Leadership Alliance community convenes for the 48th Outcomes Conference in Jacksonville, Florida. Christian nonprofit professionals across the country will gather to experience professional development, collaborative community, inspiration, and encouragement and to learn how to lead in a way that more closely models Christ. We have three experienced guides who will set the pace and make the space for God to work! Ayanda Khumalo Ayanda Khumalo is a multi-talented creati ..read more

The Stories that Reveal the Human Need A few years ago, I was the new development director in a new town for a regional nonprofit organization, attempting to wrap my mind around a new area of human services: domestic violence. We were preparing for our annual banquet, where I would present an overview of our mission. I chose to share a story about someone close to me who was a survivor of domestic violence. Our executive director was a little unsure about sharing a story—after all, shouldn’t people know just how prevalent domestic violence is in our community? Won’t they be shocked and foreve ..read more

Don’t Try to Be Important – Do What is Important! Leaders are, of course, important. But sometimes, we can begin to think we are more important than we are. Or perhaps we forget how we got here. This is sage advice I heard from a friend some years ago. Remember the Apostle Paul’s words in his letter to Cornith, “For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” I Corinthians 4:7 Everything I have, I have been given. Let’s not reign as kings and queens but as servants. I wor ..read more

Optimize the Return on Your Investments Like all nonprofit organizations, faith-based institutions strive to maximize their investment returns with little or no risk. When we discuss portfolio composition with our clients, fixed-rate investments, such as money market funds, certificates of deposit (CDs), or even bonds, are often the favored ways to make their cash reserves and donations work harder. Savvy investors know that laddering fixed-rate maturities is a best practice for optimizing returns, preserving liquidity, and mitigating interest rate risk. However, in the current economic envir ..read more

Understand Transitions and Learn How to Embrace Them Life transitions are inevitable, encompassing shifts in relationships, careers, health, living arrangements, and personal identity. Whether anticipated or sudden, like the loss of a loved one or unexpected illness, these transitions demand adjustment to new circumstances, roles, and responsibilities. Emotions such as excitement, anxiety, grief, and hope accompany these changes. Seeking support from friends, family, or professionals can aid in navigating these transitions. The Church also needs to provide space and assistance to those experi ..read more

Dr. Justin A. Irving and Dr. Courtney Veasey Bring Special Presentations! Today, we want you to meet two exceptional leaders taking special main stages on Thursday, April 11, 2024: Dr. Justin A. Irving and Dr. Courtney Veasey! Dr. Justin A. Irving Dr. Irving will be the Keynote speaker for the Men’s Breakfast on Thursday, April 11, 2024. His years of research, study, and practical leadership experiences will inspire and challenge all who attend! Currently, he serves as the Duke K. McCall Professor of Christian Leadership and chair of the Department of Leadership and Discipleship at The Southe ..read more

Becoming a Loving Leader is Our Greatest Challenge With Jesus’ command to love God and to love others, the focus of a leader’s attention and interest changes. The best leader is not simply a strategic thinker or visionary; they are a loving leader. They move toward others to see them for who they are. They listen and care about another person’s longings, dreams, and pain. This is the vital activity that must define our leadership today. With insight and compassion, we are attuned to the good of another—to love them. Becoming a loving leader is our most challenging and most critical activity ..read more