Every time we meet a new person, shake hands and share names, what’s the first question we are asked? More often than not, it’s “What do you do for a living?” Maybe, what we really want to ask is, “Who are you? What are your values?” but these questions are so broad, and yet so personal, that we begin with

As we continue exploring what it means to be a Mature Disciple, I want to chat today about the importance of curiosity. Curiosity is an often underrated quality in a leader because leaders often fall into the trap that they have a deeper understanding of the world, people, and God than those around them. Without curiosity, a leader can become arrogant, and their growth can be stifled…

Christian leaders spend a great deal of time reading the Bible, studying scripture and applying it to their daily lives. We return to Scripture for obvious reasons: we read it primarily to hear God’s word, and also for instruction on how to live like Christ, be a better disciple, and be a better leader. Daily reading also helps us with personal discipline, the practice of reflection and a reminder of God’s great love for us. Reading the Bible and applying its words can bring transformation…

What are the most essential qualities of a mentor? There are, of course, an abundance of skills and competencies that are required to work in the field of professional mentoring or supervising, but there are a few that stand out as foundational…

Just wanted to let you know that I’m going to be presenting at the Church Mental Health Summit on October 10 along with 50+ other presenters…

The Church Mental Health Summit is just a few weeks away on October 10 and this is a reminder to register. I believe this event is a much-needed resource for churches, and I don’t want you to miss it…

The old adage, “Things are not always as they seem,” is one that, despite its simplicity, holds a profound truth, especially for mentors and supervisors. Our clients are complicated humans, full of contradictions, blind spots and self-deceit. When they come to us with a problem, there is almost always more to the issue than meets the eye…

Recently, I wrote about our mentors/supervising tools as an axe; it’s a tool that needs to be sharpened often. Likewise, we need to find ways to keep us sharp. Here, your client’s feedback can be a great asset to sharpen your tools. Unlike speaking to a third party, your client knows exactly what is happening in your sessions, and they also know what they need personally. They are the best people to review your work…

It can be difficult to know what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong when it comes to analysing your own methodologies in mentoring or supervising. What might work with one client might not work with another. Sometimes mentoring/supervising will come easily, but sometimes it will feel like pulling teeth. It can be hard to see your own patterns, especially if you are not taking the time to reflect and review your actions. Here are a few ways to make sure you are making the most of your sessions and connecting effectively with your client…