In Preaching Articles: "Sticks And Stones Part 2"

What Every Leader Needs: Silence And Solitude

By Charles Stone on May 18, 2022

This discipline is really more of a state of heart than a place.

Tags: Solitude, Silence, Disciplines Silence, Intimacy With God

8 Ways To Make Church Change Run Smoother

By Charles Stone on May 30, 2022

In your church you’re probably trying to bring change in some way or are contemplating it.

Tags: Church, Change, Healthy Relationship, Transitions, church  (view more)  (view less)

Are You A Transactional Leader Or A Transformational Leader?

By Charles Stone on Jun 6, 2022

At times we must lead as transactional leaders. However, we should seek to grow our leadership so that we lead more often as transformational leaders.

Tags: vision, leadership, Transformation, Leadership Listening, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

6 Brain Barriers To Healthy Church Change

By Charles Stone on Oct 19, 2023

Leaders often run into invisible brain barriers when they attempt change. Ignoring them can slow or stonewall a progress.

Tags: leadership, Change, Personal Growth, Overcoming Barriers, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

How To Keep Your Brain Sharp

By Charles Stone on Oct 30, 2023

The brain is a masterpiece of God’s creation. It grows rapidly from birth until the mid-twenties. Unfortunately, it’s downhill from there. Even though you can’t avoid getting older, you can take some simple steps to keep your brain sharp.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19

Tags: leadership, Aging, Health, pastoral leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

6 Soul Care Essentials For Pastors

By Charles Stone on Jul 6, 2022

In the midst of caring for others, it is easy to neglect our own soul. What are safeguards that keep us from drifting away from God?

Tags: leadership, pastoral leadership, soul care, Scripture Memory, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Top 10 Healthy Ways To Handle The Church Critic

By Charles Stone on Aug 17, 2022

“Two things you can’t avoid in ministry are…people late to the service and … church critics.” In this short post, I suggest 10 ways to handle the church critic.

Tags: Criticism, patience, offense, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, loving enemies, Disarming, criticism  (view more)  (view less)

4 Weapons Of Mass Distraction In A Leader’s Life

By Charles Stone on Nov 13, 2023

Ask yourself which of these four weapons of mass distraction divert you the most from leading at your best.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8

Tags: leadership, focus, distractions, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Effective Leadership, Leading Others Well, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

4 Spiritual Disciplines Pastors Often Neglect

By Charles Stone on Nov 16, 2023

What spiritual disciplines might you be neglecting?

Tags: leadership, Submission, confession, Solitude, Christian Disciplines, pastoral leadership, Spiritual Discipline, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Minimize Ministry Silos

By Charles Stone on Jul 26, 2022

Silos occur in organizations and churches when leaders act like their ministry or team is the only one that matters. A silo attitude results in that leader or team only supporting, giving, or attending functions that pertain to them. It can kill a ministry and result in many problems. In this post, I suggest ways to minimize ministry silos.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10, Ephesians 4:3, Romans 15:5, Psalm 133:1

Tags: Trust, leadership, unity, Ownership, Volunteer, Harmony, Consider Others, Step Up, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Can Something This Simple Supercharge Staff Morale?

By Charles Stone on Nov 21, 2023

Several months ago I began something with our staff that has been a huge hit. It’s simple. Any staff can do it, whether in a church or a business application. And it boosts staff morale and excitement when we do it. I encourage you to try it with your staff. It’s called a “Blue Sky Thinking” morning.

Tags: leadership, motivation, inspiration, Solitude, pastoral leadership, servant leadership, church ministry, Staff Meeting, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

5 Signs That You Need To Quit Something

By Charles Stone on Nov 29, 2023

Quitters never win and winners never quit was drilled into my mind at an early age. I believed it. I practiced it. I lived it. I only quit one thing in my life before age 18, my high school football team. I quit because I sat on the bench 99.976% of the time. Since, then, however, I’ve questioned the veracity of that phrase, as catchy as it may sound.

Tags: strategy, Overwhelmed, Busyness, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, giving up, quitting, Saying no  (view more)  (view less)

Has Your Emotional Brain Hijacked Your Leadership?

By Charles Stone on Dec 1, 2023

Great ministry leaders keep their emotions in check. Unfortunately, when we don’t keep them in check, our emotional brain can hijack clear thinking and good leadership.

Scripture: Romans 10:10

Tags: Emotions, leadership, Brain, memory, Decision making, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Leadership, brain  (view more)  (view less)

3 Ways To Defeat Leadership Discouragement

By Charles Stone on Dec 11, 2023

Discouragement comes with the territory for ministry leaders. Unmet goals, putting out fires, staff issues, displeasing people, and general tiredness all contribute to discouragement. When it weighs us down, how can we dig out? The life of the prophet Elijah gives us hope.

Tags: Perseverance, leadership, Discouragement, Depression, Elijah's faith, Pastoral Ministry, Elijah's Depression, Fighting for Joy, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

When Pastors Misplace Their Identity: 10 Probing Questions

By Charles Stone on Sep 19, 2022

“No one is more influential in your life than you are, because no one talks to you more than you do.” ––Paul Tripp

Scripture: 1 Samuel 28:1

Tags: Ministry, identity, Identity in Christ, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church leadership, Right Priorities, self assement, ministry  (view more)  (view less)