LEADERS
In God’s economy, we’re all leaders!
So many in the chronic illness community feel a deep sense of isolation and loneliness. We’re here to equip leaders to foster relationships, build community, and guide small groups for those affected by chronic illness, mental illness, chronic pain, and disability.
GRACE, TRUTH & TIME: Facilitating Thriving Small Groups
Heather MacLaren Johnson
With this incredible resource you can learn to: lead through God's grace, create a space for spiritual growth and healing, empathize, listen and engage with those in pain, grow in prayer and compassion, foster hope and encouragement, and build small group communities that thrive.
Don't Sing Songs to a Heavy Heart: How to Relate to Those Who are Suffering
Kenneth C. Haugk, PhD
Haugk has written an essential guide on how to care for and relate to people as they encounter difficult times in life. This book draws on extensive research of those who have experienced various kinds of suffering in their lives, offering key insights and suggestions of what to say and do—and what not to say or do—when people are hurting. With its biblical foundation, compassionate approach, and concrete ideas, this book will help you bring God’s loving presence to hurting people when they need it most.
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry
Ruth Haley Barton
"I'm tired of helping others enjoy God. I just want to enjoy God for myself." With this painful admission, Ruth Haley Barton invites us to an honest exploration of what happens when spiritual leaders lose track of their souls. Weaving together contemporary illustrations with penetrating insight from the life of Moses.
Serve Strong: Biblical Encouragement to Sustain God's Servants
Terry Powell
Serve the Lord long enough and discouragement or some form of opposition is inevitable. Joy-sapping workloads, feelings of inadequacy, lack of fruitfulness, or battle fatigue from spiritual warfare often spurs God's servants to quit or sabotages their passion. The purpose of this book is to infuse them with biblical perspectives that buoy flagging spirits, boost motivation, and cultivate endurance.
In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership
Henri J.M. Nouwen
For a society that measures successful leadership in terms of the effectiveness of the individual, Father Nouwen offers a counter definition that is witnessed by a “communal and mutual experience.” For Nouwen, leadership cannot function apart from the community. His wisdom is grounded in the foundation that we are a people “called.” This beautiful guide to Christian Leadership is the rich fruit of Henri Nouwen’s own journey.
Blog Posts
Living in the Middle and Finding Hope in God
Living in the middle is where transformation occurs as we actively live out lives that reflect the God we serve. Our identity is now in Him, not in our circumstances. We see his fingerprints all over our circumstances. He is in the waiting.
Leadership: Learning to Be a Servant
Jesus sets a perfect example of being a servant leader. He knew who He was. He came from God. He was going back to God. Knowing both, He got up and served.
Practicing Spiritual Connecting While Social Distancing
If we are creative, we can do authentic ministry from a distance, practicing spiritual connecting even while social distancing.
FREE PRINTABLES
Build an Illness Ministry
This practical guide walks you through the first steps toward building a chronic illness small group.
Small Group Roles
This downloadable PDF provides helpful tips for organizing your small group and defining group roles.
Creative Ways to Connect
Looking for creative ways to connect with others as you unpack the Chronic Joy studies? This FREE printable does just that and more!
Small Group Policy
This useful tool provides a framework for grace and peace in chronic illness small groups. SMALL GROUP POLICY
Resources
God ultimately raises up leaders for for one primary reason: His glory. He shows His power in our weakness.
“God ultimately raises up leaders for for one primary reason: His glory. He shows His power in our weakness.” Matt Chandler
Thriving Small Group Leaders
Thriving Small Group Leaders: Read God’s Word • Pray • Treat others with dignity, love and respect • Face conflict with humility • Experience joy • Care for those they lead • Listen actively
Leaders don’t force people to follow; they invite them on a journey.
“Leaders don’t force people to follow; they invite them on a journey.” Charles S. Laure
We rise by lifting others.
“We rise by lifting others.” Robert Ingersoll
leadershi-lollipop-moment
Lollipop Moment “…a moment when someone said or did something that you feel made your life fundamentally better, or when something your said or did made someone else feel fundamentally better.” Drew Dudley
According to Scripture, virtually everything that truly qualifies a person for leadership is directly related to character.
“According to Scripture, virtually everything that truly qualifies a person for leadership is directly related to character.” John MacArthur
The first job of leadership is to love people. Leadership without love is manipulation.
“The first job of leadership is to love people. Leadership without love is manipulation.” Rick Warren
Good leaders must first become good servants.
“Good leaders must first become good servants.” Robert Greenleaf
No symptom, no sickness, and no setbacks
“No symptom, no sickness, and no setbacks get to steal your leadership potential. Your chronic illness is not allowed the final say … unless you let it. …chronic illness has actually equipped us to be better leaders – more empathetic, resilient, and courageous.” Anna Kowlessar
Good leaders must first become good servants.
“Good leaders must first become good servants.” Robert Greenleaf
Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” John F. Kennedy
mentor leadership is all about serving.
“…mentor leadership is all about serving.” Tony Dungy
Leadership requires willingness to be transformed into the person we were created to be.
“Leadership requires willingness to be transformed into the person we were created to be.” Peoplewomen.org
It is said, “That a picture is worth a thousand words.” Chronic Joy is pleased to provide images to accompany each of our studies. These may be used to foster conversation with your small group throughout your study, encourage someone who may be having a difficult time, or inspire those in your social media community. There really are so many ways that a beautiful image paired with thoughtful words can make a difference to others. You are welcome to use the images to bless others.
Looking for outstanding, FREE, faith-based images for your church, organization, small group, or social media? We have 1000s licensed for immediate, high-res download. Quick, easy, and comprehensive.
Even More
EVERYDAY LEADERSHIP
TED Talk – We have all changed someone’s life — usually without even realizing it. In this funny talk, Drew Dudley calls on all of us to celebrate leadership as the everyday act of improving each other’s lives. Watch HERE.
HOW GREAT LEADERS INSPIRE ACTION
TED TALK – Simon Sinek has a simple but powerful model for inspirational leadership — starting with a golden circle and the question: “Why?” His examples include Apple, Martin Luther King Jr. and the Wright brothers … Watch HERE.