Psychologist Neil Clark Warren used to say that when he did therapy with married couples, his primary goal was simply to see a 10 percent improvement in their relationships. It doesn't sound like much, but he found it made a tremendous difference for one reason. It gave them hope. And hope is the great difference-maker.

Warren always believed in hope, even before he started eHarmony and made millions. He found that if people have hope, it is a tremendous reservoir of energy. Hope will keep people moving when they would otherwise quit. Hope is the single most indispensible, non-negotiable, irreplaceable resource required for big challenges and noble battles.

So, how's your supply? How are you doing at hope-management?

I suppose pastors and church leaders have always needed hope, but I have been reflecting on why in particular it is needed in our day. It seems to me that hope matters uniquely in our day because many of the social structures that used to prop up what we do are fading. Pastors ...