In her time with us, Holly shared what she’s learning about the workplace’s newest demographic challenge: the Gen Z employee. Holly, a Millennial, offered her own experience leading the next generation and emphasized the importance of people development in the workplace.

Stop giving experience so much weight. Spend more time developing a culture where leaders can learn and grow and thrive, and then go out and find some leaders—regardless of their experience.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Matt Tresidder, CEO and Co-Founder of Leadr, to discuss the power of the 1:1 meeting, and the mission of Leadr to develop 1M leaders with their people development software.

Ricky is the senior pastor of Southwest Church in Indian Wells, Calif., where he leads a fast-growing community of believers compelled by its vision to be a gospel-centered, multiethnic, intergenerational church that loves discipleship. Ricky focused his time with our members on the leadership “R.I.D.E.,” an acronym inspired by Paul’s remarkable model of leadership presented to us in 2 Timothy.

I want to be relevant well into old age. And I want to do that through pouring into those who have most of their life in front of them. Who’s with me?

Carey Nieuwhof shared about his own experience with burn out and what it looks like to come back from it. We were joined by Jenni Catron, who spoke about the building blocks for organizational success.

Tony Morgan, Founder & Lead Strategist at The Unstuck Group, sat down with me (virtually) for an interview to discuss the Unstuck Church Report and the church trends he has noticed over the past year.

I was so excited when Miguel De La Mora joined our team in February. We invited Miguel on to our team to fill the role of Campus Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church, as well as being on our teaching team. As Miguel and I were talking one day, he began to talk about the difference between an owned vision and borrowed vision. It was so good, I asked him if I could unpack it with him via video interview.

We have lost the ability to “agree to disagree.” We have stopped treating people with the dignity that every human being deserves. We don’t seem able to discuss or debate a weighty topic without attacking the person who takes the other position.

Dan Reiland, author, speaker, and executive pastor at 12Stone Church sat down with me (virtually) for an interview to discuss confident leadership. Dan and I have been friends for many years and have even coached together in the past.

Kadi is the founder of Kadi Cole & Company, a leadership development company specializing in equipping individuals and organizations. Kadi presented insights from her books, Find Your Leadership Voice in 90 Days and Developing Female Leaders. She dedicated most of her session to answering many of the tough questions our members had about developing and empowering female leaders in their churches.

I remember when this question was first posed to me about 20 years ago. I had no idea what that meant. I said, “Yes to both.” The expert in front of me said, “Nope, it’s one or the other.” As we began to move into multiple locations at Granger, I began to understand the difference. And now that I’ve worked with hundreds of churches, and am back in the seat of Executive Pastor of Campuses and Culture at Willow Creek – it’s become even more clear.

It was Tuesday morning on a cold day in March 2021. We were gathered in Dave Dummitt’s office for our weekly senior leadership team meeting. Dave came in with an intensity in his eyes.

“Now is the time. We need to put new language to why we exist and what we are about. We need to begin talking with our people about our mission and vision. We can wait no longer.”

I have been close friends with Jenni Catron, Founder and CEO of The 4Sight Group, for nearly twelve years. Jenni is an exceptional author, speaker, and leader, who has inspired, encouraged, and equipped others for success for over fifteen years.

Tony is the founder and lead strategist of The Unstuck Group, a company that helps leaders grow healthy churches by guiding them through experiences that focus vision, strategy, and action. Tony presented findings from the Unstuck Report and offered invaluable advice to our members about strategizing in the new normal.

I sat down (virtually) with my friend and former boss, William Vanderbloemen, Founder and CEO of Vanderbloemen, to discuss what he has seen in the world of staffing recently. Even after working for William for nearly six years, there is still so much I learn from him every time we speak.

I had the opportunity to interview Luke Hesher from HouseRight Production. I love all things technology, so the conversation with a leading contractor for all things audio, video and lighting was captivating. Luke and I both have a passion for planning major projects well — starting from mission and vision before you start buying speakers or soundboards.

Last month, Phil and I talked about buildings, design, changes since Covid, and more.

I don’t love conferences. It’s not the best environment for me to learn. I need engagement and conversation with others to take a deep-dive on topics that matter to me. I need time to think, a place for hallway conversations, and the sharing of ideas over good food and drinks. For years I’ve wanted to plan the type of gathering that I would want to attend, the environment where I would be most likely to learn — and then invite others to join me. It’s happening.

I lived in the midwest in the United States, and heard about a church nearby that was focused on reaching people far from God. It had started in a movie theater -- and in fact was still holding services in that theater when I first attended. My work at the time gave me the opportunity to personally work in more than 500 churches, but this was unlike any church I had ever visited. They weren’t going after the “already convinced.” Instead, they were focused on people who were uncomfortable with the idea of church.