Category Archives: Uncategorized

Quick Wins

Posted on November 30, 2015 by jwwimberly

Yes, it is a gimmick. But it is a gimmick that works. When creating a strategic plan, I always encourage congregations to include one or two highly visible changes that they can accomplish in a matter of one or two months. I … Continue reading →

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Is Sunday School Doomed?

Posted on November 18, 2015 by jwwimberly

Regardless of their theological beliefs, churches struggle with some common issues. Of these, one of the most surprising to me has to do with the future of Sunday schools. No one lacks commitment to educate children and youth in the … Continue reading →

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Organizational and/or Staff Performance Reviews

Posted on September 4, 2015 by jwwimberly

Almost everyone dreads the annual performance review that remains a ritual in most congregations. The employee wonders if it will be fair. If the pastor performs reviews of staff, she or he wonders if the results will be toxic for … Continue reading →

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Who Is Sitting in the Meeting?

Posted on April 11, 2015 by jwwimberly

When a congregational board sits down to make decisions, what if we think a bit differently about the participants? Let’s forget their names for a moment and view them as individuals who view the world from the perspective of the … Continue reading →

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Mobilizing for Minstry—Using Teams

Posted on November 24, 2014 by jwwimberly

Fair or unfair, the younger generations have negative assumptions about the way committees function. Teams, however, are something they understand and embrace. Most Millennials and Gen-Xers have been involved in team sports from an early age. Many workplaces today are … Continue reading →

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It’s Time to Talk About Performance

Posted on June 9, 2014 by jwwimberly

When I told the pastor that I wanted to use some of my time at his staff retreat to discuss performance, he responded (with a smile), “Performance is a word we don’t use in our denomination.”  With a similar smile, … Continue reading →

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On Your Mark—Get Set—Stop (and Reflect)—Plan

Posted on May 20, 2014 by jwwimberly

Part of consulting is Emergency Room work. When a congregation is bleeding, the bleeding needs to stop before anyone can step back and think big picture. However, in our fix-it-quick, put-a-Band-Aid-on-it culture, another part of consulting is making sure congregations … Continue reading →

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The Opportunity of a Lifetime

Posted on April 23, 2014 by jwwimberly

Occasionally, congregations are presented astounding opportunities to grow. One of those opportunities is upon us. The opportunity is called the Millennial Generation. The number of Millennials in the United States differs depending on whose statistics you trust. However, 80 million … Continue reading →

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What is Transparency?

Posted on September 9, 2013 by jwwimberly

As a pastor and leader in other organizations, I have heard the following complaint too many times to count: “You all need to be more transparent.” For example, a congregation I served created an endowment. It wasn’t long before some … Continue reading →

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Reviewing Performance

Posted on August 10, 2013 by jwwimberly

  How many heads of staff have dreaded a performance review meeting with an individual staff member who is underperforming?  How many staff members have felt unfairly labeled as an “underperformer” when, they believe, the performance problem is elsewhere?  I … Continue reading →

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