When people respect someone as a person, they admire her. When they respect her as a friend, they love her. When they respect her as a leader, they follow her.

Few things build a person up like affirmation. According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, Third College Edition (Simon and Schuster, 1991), the word affirm comes from ad firmare, which means “to make firm.” So when you affirm people, you make firm within them the things you see about them. Do that often enough, and the belief that solidifies within them will become stronger than the doubts they have about themselves.

When values, thoughts, feelings, and actions are in alignment, a person becomes focused and character is strengthened.

Without a vision people and the church become self-centered. People start finding fault with one another and the church self-destructs.

If the church is going to make a difference, it will need to go through the "big give-up" stage. Churches will need to quit being selfish and become relevant.

Most accomplishments in life come more easily if you approach them strategically

Your success stops where your character stops. You can never rise above the limitations of your character.