Behind the Seal

Ministry Lead Brian Kreeger worked hard. He was doing the Lord's work at all costs. Listen to his reflections from The Courageous Ask, a book considering how a leader finds support from his board, friends, and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.Connect with Brianhttps://www.briankreeger.com/ECFA's Lessons from the Boardroomhttps://www.ecfa.org/lessonsnonprofitboardroom/Default.aspx

Gary Hoag sees and hears about the global church every day. As CEO of Global Trust Partners, birthed from the heartbeat of ECFA, Gary witnesses how ministry work is done worldwide and how different cultures and governments perceive financial integrity,  good governance, and leadership. Biblically, Gary has spent time as a New Testament scholar considering the Jerusalem council and its leadership structure.The three books Gary mentions from ECFA Press:http://www.thechoicebook.orghttp://www.sowerbook.orghttp://www.ecfa.org/TheCouncil

Jacob Bland answered the call. As a young leader in a storied ministry, his wisdom in humbly leading and balancing a young family is relatable for so many of us. The relationship between Youth For Christ's Board of Directors and senior leadership is thoughtful, caring, and saturated in prayer. The God-honoring succession transition Jacob stepped into is one we all hope can be repeated in our own churches and ministries.Check out more from Youth For Christ: https://yfc.net

The spiritual formation of Christian Leaders can get deprioritized in the face of other metrics of success. Steve Macchia has spent his career teaching the importance of a nurtured soul. As he says, where the soul goes, so goes the leader.  Check out more of Steve's writing here: https://www.stevemacchia.com/

CAFO Leadership released a document to staff that spells out how to have a balanced and healthy work, personal, and spiritual life. It's working!  They call it the Strategic Plan for Thriving Souls. As Jedd Medefind discusses, good fruit comes from good roots.  Find Jedd's Podcast here: https://resources.cafo.org/series/justice-and-the-inner-life/and the Thriving Souls Plan here: https://cafo.org/souls/

Mindy Caliguire leads Soulcare.com and frames Soul Care as a personal resolve to build a life deeply connected to God—the path to true flourishing. Most important, her work imagines the “what if?” of a future where the new norm is one in which leaders thrive, integrity thrives, and churches and ministries thrive because of better soul care.Take the integrity assessment! https://www.soulcare.com/integrity

Our motivations are a shadow to us and others.  Not always good or bad, but present.  Know them, Redeem them.Gary L. McIntosh is President of the Church Growth Network and Professor of Christian Ministry and Leadership at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University.  He has forty years of experience consulting non-profit organizations, coaching of leaders, and seminar presentations.Find more of Gary's work at https://www.churchgrowthnetwork.com/

Good and Bad Leadership can push us towards knowing the Lord deeper.  Glen shares how to find new wells to drink from, to stay resilient as a Christian leader in these times.Check out all Glenn's writing and podcast here : https://www.glennpackiam.com/

Over 2/3's of larger churches in America have an Executive Pastor. There is opportunity to be effective and efficient in church business, all while increasing integrity with a pastor's heart.  David Fletcher of Xpastor.org shares the trends and practical insights all churches can benefit from.Register for the Free Workshop from XPastor and ECFA at www.xpastor.org

What are the legal risks of unhealthy leadership?  Erika Cole, The Church Attorney, gives insight to how important a pastor's role is and how that can be isolating, taxing, and can lead to pastoral burnout.  The importance to stay spiritually and emotionally healthy as a pastor seems obvious, but the legal ramifications of un-health can affect entire churches and communities.  Find Erika's courses and Podcast at www.erikacole.com