Stress is NOT your Biggest Problem: Perspective is
Sometimes it's not stress that is the real issue, but how we see and interpret it, called perspective. In this post I explain reappraisal.
2 min read
Charles Stone
Charles Stone
Are You Managing Your Mind Chatter?
Chatter constantly talks to us in our minds. That chatter can be good our bad. In this post write about how to manage it.
2 min read
Peek-a-Boo Porn in a Pastor’s Life - Charles Stone
Pornography can be trap for pastors. In this post I write about a subtle form of pornography we need to guard against.
4 min read
Data Overload: Is Your Church Guilty of Infobesity? - Charles Stone
Too much info can overload your church attenders. In this post I write about info overload called infobesity.
2 min readAvoiding Ministry Failure: 5 Questions to Ask when you do a Ministry Pre-mortem - Charles Stone
Ministry plans often fail. In this post I briefly explain a simple planning tool called a pre-mortem that can help us avoid ministry failure.
2 min read7 Benefits of an Often Overlooked Planning Tool: the Pre-mortem - Charles Stone
Pastors must plan well but we often overlooked planning tool called a pre-mortem. In this post I explain the benefits of a pre-mortem.
3 min read5 Ways to Deepen Your Integrity - Charles Stone
The book of Daniel provides great insight in how to be a leader of integrity in today’s world. This post gives 5 ways to deepen integrity.
3 min read6 Tips to Keeping New Year's Resolutions - Charles Stone
New year’s resolutions are often never kept. In this post I suggest 6 practical tips to help you keep them.
2 min readHow a Leader’s Brain Works, Part 2 - Charles Stone
When leaders learn how their brain works, they lead better. In this post I look at how a leader’s brain works.
5 min readHow a Leader’s Brain Works, Part 1 - Charles Stone
This post describes how a leader’s brain works. When leaders understand their brains they lead much better.
4 min read
When Pastors Misplace their Identity: 10 Probing Questions - Charles Stone
Pastors can wrap their identity around their role. Here I suggest 10 questions that might reveal you have your identity in being a pastor.
3 min readFamiliarity Blindness in your Church: 7 Ways to Cure It - Charles Stone
Churches become accustomed to things that can hurt the ministry. It’s called familiarity blindness. In this post I suggest 7 cures to it.
4 min read5 Brain Biases that Limit Leaders - Charles Stone
Subtle brain biases can influence our thinking and leadership. In this post I suggest 5 along with 5 ways to counter them.
4 min read15 Ways You can Encourage Your Pastor - Charles Stone
Church people sometimes don’t know how to encourage their pastor. In this post I share actual ways church people encouraged their pastors.
3 min readA Science-based Sermon Note Taking Template - Charles Stone
Every pastor wants his or her sermons to stick in their listener’s minds. In this post I show a note taking insert you may want to use.
4 min readHow to Make Boring Church Announcements Memorable - Charles Stone
Church announcements need not be boring. They are essential. In this post you will learn a few science based ways to make them better.
2 min readAre you a People Pleasing Pastor? Take this Assessment and Find Out - Charles Stone
This assessment will clue you to the degree of people pleasing in your ministry.
4 min readTithing: a Simple and Effective Way to Encourage People to Tithe - Charles Stone
In this post I share and effective way to encourage people to tithe. It’s a plan any sized church can use to encourage tithing.
5 min read5 Reasons Why Every Church Needs a Staff-Board Conflict Resolution Strategy - Charles Stone
Churches face conflict. Boards and pastors must deal with conflict. In this post I suggest 5 reasons why your church needs a conflict resolution policy.
2 min read3 Ways to Defeat Leadership Discouragement - Charles Stone
Every leader faces leadership discouragement. In this post I suggest 3 simple ways to battle leadership discouragement.
2 min readInsights on Learning that can Improve Preaching - Charles Stone
Every preacher wants their sermon to stick. In this post I give some learning insights from science that can help.
2 min readMemory and the Speaker, Teacher, and Preacher, Part 2 - Charles Stone
Understanding and apply memory insight is crucial for effective communication. In this post I talk about sensory memory.
3 min readMemory and the Effective Speaker, Teacher, and Preacher - Charles Stone
Understanding memory and how it works is crucial to be an effective speaker. This is the first of several posts on memory.
3 min read14 Questions Pastors should Avoid if they Fear Vulnerability - Charles Stone
Vulnerability can be scary. Yet it may be a key to a full life. In this post I suggest 14 questions that make you think about vulnerability.
2 min read5 Ways to Make Brainstorming More Creative - Charles Stone
Brainstorming is a good technique to generate creative ideas. But the old rules don’t apply. In this post the new rules for brainstorming.
3 min read5 Signs that you Need to Quit Something - Charles Stone
Sometimes we simply need to quit something. Thoughtful quitting is called strategic quitting. In this post I give some guidelines.
4 min readCan Something this Simple Supercharge Staff Morale? - Charles Stone
Healthy staff morale is key for high performing teams. In this post I share a simple staff experience that can boost your staff’s morale
4 min read5 Ways to Minimize Ministry Silos - Charles Stone
Churches are often filled with ministry silos that hinder effective ministry . Learn how to avoid them in this post.
3 min read4 Weapons of Mass Distraction in a Leader's Life - Charles Stone
We live in a work with constant distraction. Subtle distractions tempt leaders from leading well. This post describes 4 distractions.
4 min readTop 10 Healthy Ways to Handle the Church Critic - Charles Stone
Every pastor has a church critic. To best respond to criticism, we need some tools in our toolbox. In this post I suggest 10 ways to respond.
2 min read6 Soul Care Essentials for Pastors - Charles Stone
To lead effectively pastor must take care of their souls. In this post I suggest several ways we can practice the art of soul care.
2 min read5 Ways to Get People to pay Attention to Your Sermons - Charles Stone
Neuroscience can help pastors preach more effectivelh. In this post I suggest 5 ways to get people to pay more attention to your sermons.
3 min read5 Leadership Tensions Seen in Jesus’ Leadership - Charles Stone
Leadership brings conflicting tensions. Yet in Jesus we see great balance. In this post I give leadership tensions from Jesus’ life.
4 min read7 Ways Leaders can Navigate the Pain of Rejection - Charles Stone
Ministry carries many potential potholes, one of them being rejection. In this post I suggest 7 ways to navigate the pain of rejection.
5 min read4 Spiritual Disciplines Pastors Often Neglect - Charles Stone
Most pastors practice the key spiritual disciplines. However, there are some subtle ones we can miss. I explain those in this post.
3 min readAre you a Bogie or a Birdie Leader? - Charles Stone
Golf provides a good metaphor for leadership. In this post I examine risk averse leaders and what to do if you are one.
4 min readAre you a Sleep Deprived Pastor? Take this quiz and find out. - Charles Stone
Many pastors and leaders are sleep deprived. Take this quiz and find out if you are sleep deprived. I also include some helpful tips.
3 min readWhen Leaders Get Hooked on Being Right - Charles Stone
Sometimes pastors get hooked on being right. They can’t deal with others disagreeing with them. That’s what this post is about.
4 min read6 Brain Barriers to Healthy Church Change - Charles Stone
Healthy church change is necessary to move your church forward. However, sometimes brains barriers stand in the way. In this post I list 6.
3 min readThe Lonely Pastor: 6 Ways to Dig Out - Charles Stone
Pastors, and all leaders, can face loneliness sometimes. In this post I suggest some simply ways to deal with it if you are not facing it.
2 min readE-mail Etiquette for Busy Leaders - Charles Stone
Busy pastors and leaders must use wise e-mail etiquette. In this post I suggest some simple pointers to make e-mail more effective.
2 min readNeuro-diversity in Your Church: Why it Matters - Charles Stone
Diversity in a church staff is important. But near-diversity is a new category of diversity. This blog explains near-diversity.
3 min read8 Ways to Make Church Change Run Smoother - Charles Stone
Creating change in church is tricky. In this post I suggest 8 ways to make church change go more smoothly.
3 min readShould Pastors Abstain from Drinking Alcohol? - Charles Stone
This blog describes the 4 reasons I don’t drink as a pastor and suggests that we pastors consider why we do or don’t drink alcohol.
3 min readWhat Every Leader Needs: Silence and Solitude - Charles Stone
When pastors get too rushed, we must slow down through silence and solitude. In this post I suggest ways to practice silence and solitude.
6 min readAre you a Transactional Leader or a Transformational Leader? - Charles Stone
Good leadership is crucial. This blog will help leaders discover if they are a transactional leader or a transformational leader.
2 min readFive Neuroscience Techniques that Improve Brainstorming - Charles Stone
Neuroscience can improve brainstorming. These five neuroscience techniques can improve the results of your next brainstorming session.
4 min readHow to Break the Power of Hurry - Charles Stone
Oftentimes pastors get in too much of a hurry. We rush too often. Silence and solitude can help and this blog speaks to that.
5 min read7 Neuroscience Keys to Effective Performance Reviews - Charles Stone
The effectiveness of performance reviews can be improved by apply neuroscience insight. In this post I give 7 neuroscience keys.
3 min readIs this the #1 Reason Why Leaders Succeed? Take this quiz and find out. - Charles Stone
In this post I suggest 10 questions related to the number one reason why leaders succeed or why they don’t succeed.
2 min readFive Ways to Motivate Others (that you may have missed) - Charles Stone
Good leaders know how to motivate others. Brain science is giving us tools to do this best. In this post I share insights about motivation and the brain.
3 min readCotton Candy Sermons: Every Pastor Needs Them - Charles Stone
Cotton candy preaching may not be a bad term. This blog shows why we should incorporate cotton candy techniques into our sermons.
4 min readYour Conscience: Are you Neglecting It? - Charles Stone
Understanding how our conscience works is essential for life and leadership. In this post I unpack insight about the human conscience.
5 min readCoffee Stains on the Auditorium Carpet: A Key to a Successful Sermon? - Charles Stone
Every pastor wants his sermon to make a difference. One study showed that eating and drinking may make our messages stick better.
2 min readMotivate your Teams with these 4 Neuroscience Keys - Charles Stone
Neuroscience is giving us great insight about leadership. In this post I share 4 neuroscience insights about how to motivate others.
4 min readHierarchy among church staff? This may surprise you.
This blog looks at the pros and cons of a hierarchy among church staff.
4 min readHow the Brain Stifles Church Change - Charles Stone
Change is inevitable in churches. But many resist change. Learning how the brain responds to church change can help make your changes go more smoothly.
5 min readIs This the Hidden Factor that Hinders Change in your Church? - Charles Stone
Managing church change in a church is very important. In this post I share a hidden factor often hinders church change.
3 min read4 Ways Pastors can Refill their Depleted Souls - Charles Stone
Ministry is tough. A pastor’s should can get depleted without care. In this post I suggest 4 ways for pastors to refuel their depleted souls.
4 min readThe Brain and Successful Church Change: 11 Insights you need to know - Charles Stone
Pastors bring change in their churches. Understanding how the brain works will improve the success rate. In this post I list 11 brain insights about change.
3 min readDisapproval in the Church: What a Pastor can Do - Charles Stone
Disapproval in the church can really sting a pastor. In this post I suggest ways to deal with such disapproval.
4 min readHymns in a Contemporary Church: Bury them or Resurrect them? - Charles Stone
The contemporary often neglects the old hymns of the faith. Should we? In this post I make a case for them.
4 min readAre your Sermons Falling Flat? Is this Why? - Charles Stone
Great preachers understand how people learn. In this post I share Insights on brain based preaching that help us avoid sermons that fall flat.
3 min readWhat do Toilet Repairs and Leadership Composure have in Common? - Charles Stone
Sometimes simple experiences teach us a lot. In this post I share insight about leadership composure from my response to a leaky toilet.
3 min readPersonal Identity: Three Probing Questions Pastors should Ask Themselves - Charles Stone
In this post I suggest 3 questions that should make every pastor think about a pastor’s personality identity.
2 min readCritics: Stay Away or Draw Close to Them? - Charles Stone
Every leader will face criticism. In this post I suggest some novel ways to relate to your critics you may have overlooked.
3 min readEnergy Drinks for the Busy Pastor: Good or Bad? - Charles Stone
if you are a busy pastor, are you drinking too many energy drinks? Are they all bad? This blog may give you insight.
4 min readThe Narcissistic Pastor: 10 signs that you may be one - Charles Stone
Narcissism is a deadly trait for a pastor. In this post I suggest 10 traits that might evidence a narcissistic pastor.
4 min read5 Biggest Mistakes Pastors Make on Sundays (and how to avoid them) - Charles Stone
Sunday is a stressful day for pastors. We often make mistakes. In this post I suggest 5 pitfalls to avoid on Sundays and 4 ways to avoid them.
6 min readStaff Performance Reviews: Do they Help or Hinder? - Charles Stone
Performance reviews are part of the church/business world. Recent science has discovered they may hinder. In this post I unpack that idea.
3 min readHow to Pull out of a Leadership Lull - Charles Stone
Every leader faces leadership lulls. If we understand how our brain works we can pull out of those lulls. This post offers 5 suggestions.
3 min read6 Ways to Add Interest to your Leadership Training Meetings - Charles Stone
Leaders must lead meetings. Consider these 6 ideas to make your meetings more profitable and effective with those you lead.
3 min readAre you a Mary or a Martha Leader? Take this Quiz to Find Out - Charles Stone
An interesting experience in the life of Jesus contrasts two styles a leader may choose. In this post I suggest a self-assessment to discover your style.
6 min readGenerosity and the Brain - Charles Stone
God made our brains and if understand how they work we’ll be more effective leaders. In this post I share what generosity does to the brain.
4 min readPastors Who Make $25 a Month: What I Learned about Leadership from them - Charles Stone
Cuban pastors understand leadership and lead well. In this post I share what I learned about leadership from training pastors there.
4 min readThe ADHD Church: 8 Signs You May be Leading One - Charles Stone
Some churches have an ADHD culture and need to change. In this post I share 8 signs your church may be ADHD.
2 min readHow to Increase the Spiritual Return on a Sermon - Charles Stone
Pastors spend hours preparing and delivering sermons. This blog shows how we can make that prep stick and enhance the power of our sermons.
3 min read10 Signs a Leader May Need a New Challenge - Charles Stone
Sometimes leaders get stuck on cruise control & need a new challenge. In this post I share 10 observations that you may need a new challenge.
3 min readRejection: How if Affects Leaders - Charles Stone
Pastors often face rejection in ministry. Learn how to deal with rejection in practical ways in this post.
4 min readNot Motivated? Try a Simple Pleasure. - Charles Stone
Good leaders must learn to get motivated themselves. In this post I share a simple brain hack to help you motivate yourself.
2 min readWhat NOT to Say to Someone in Pain - Charles Stone
Sometimes we just don’t know what to say to someone in pain. In this post I suggest things we should NOT say.
2 min readIs this Leadership’s Missing Ingredient? (hint: neuroleadership) - Charles Stone
Leaders who understand how the brain works enhance their leadership. In this post I explain a key concept called neuroleadership.
3 min read4 Insights about Leadership I Learned from a Bunch of Creatives - Charles Stone
Leaders need to learn insight about leadership from what we’d say are non-leaders. In this post I share insight I learned from creatives about leadership.
3 min readGratitude: Why every Leader Needs it - Charles Stone
Every leaders needs to model and live out gratitude. In this post I reflect on that important quality.
2 min readPastors Who Lack Close Friends: 5 Reasons Why - Charles Stone
Pastors often face loneliness in ministry. They often lack close friends. In this post I share insight about pastoral loneliness.
3 min readStop Multitasking: it Makes you Dumber (and 4 Ways to Improve) - Charles Stone
Multitasking simply does not work. In this post I explain why we can’t do it and give some practical tips to avoid slipping into it.
4 min read6 Neuroscience Insights that can Make a Pastor's Sermons Stickier - Charles Stone
Sermons are the bread & butter for pastors. Sometimes they just don’t stick. In this post I suggested neuroscience tips to help them stick.
4 min readMr. Rogers' Advice to Discouraged Pastors - Charles Stone
Sometimes pastors get discouraged even when they do their best. In this post I share how discouraged pastors can move forward.
3 min read3 Keys to Making Change Stick in your Church - Charles Stone
Change in the local church is a given. These three keys can help you make healthy change in your church or ministry.
2 min readFeeling Overwhelmed in Ministry or Life? Try this. - Charles Stone
Sometimes ministry overwhelms us. In this post I suggest a simple tool that many have used to regain balance.
3 min readYour Brain's Leadership X-factor - Charles Stone
In this post I share about two brain insisghts that by understanding, you can become a better leader in your church or organization.
3 min read7 Keys to Help Church People Remember your Sermon Better - Charles Stone
Every pastors wants his sermons to be remembered better. In this post I share insights how to make that happen.
4 min readLeaders and their Listening: at which of the 4 Levels do you listen? - Charles Stone
Listening is an important part of of a leader’s job. And in this post I share the four critical levels of listening.
2 min read4 Traits of the World's Second Greatest Leader - Charles Stone
Paul was arguable the world’s second greatest leader, behind Jesus. In this post I share 4 qualities in Paul that leaders should emulate.
4 min readHow do Discover your Leadership Vibe in 10 Minutes - Charles Stone
Every leader has a leadership vibe. In this post I share about a 10 minute exercise that will help you discover your vibe.
2 min read9 Signals Your Hormones May be Hijacking your Leadership - Charles Stone
Hormones play a larger role in the life of a leader. Learn 9 indicators that your hormones may be hijacking your leadership.
3 min readThe Hidden Bias that Trips Up Leaders - Charles Stone
Leaders must make wise decision. Many biases can can trip you up. Learn how to minimize one common bias in this post.
4 min read4 Questions to Ask when you Face Conflict - Charles Stone
Conflict is inevitable, but solvable. In this post I suggest 4 questions to ask yourself to help resolve conflict.
5 min read5 Non-negotiable Decisions every Leader MUST Make - Charles Stone
Adaptive leadership is a key concept to understand too improve leadership. In this post I list 5 aspects of it.
1 min read5 Church Growth Essentials from the Apostle Paul - Charles Stone
Every pastor wants his or her church to grow. In this post I share 5 church growth principles from the Apostle Paul’s life.
6 min read