Leadership is much more an art, a belief, a condition of the heart, than a set of things to do.

When trust permeates a ministry, great things are possible, not the least of which is an opportunity to reach the ministry's potential.

When we think about the people with whom we work, people on whom we depend, we can see that without each individual, we are not going to go very far as a group. By ourselves, we suffer serious limitations. Together we can be something wonderful.

A whale is as unique as a cactus. But don't ask a whale to survive Death Valley. We all have special gifts. Where we use them and how determines whether we actually complete something.

We can choose to see life as a series of trials and tribulations, or we can choose to see life as an accumulation of treasures.

In addition to all of the ratios and goals and parameters and bottom lines, it is fundamental that leaders endorse a concept of persons. This begins with an understanding of the diversity of people's gifts and talents and skills. Recognizing diversity gives us the chance to provide meaning, fulfillment and purpose, which are not to be relegated solely to private life any more than such things as love, beauty and joy. The art of leadership lies in polishing and liberating and enabling those gifts.

Trust cannot be bought or commanded, inherited or enforced. To maintain it, leaders must continually earn it.