"As your new columnist for this newsletter, let me introduce myself. My name is Kevin Miller, and I've worked with Leadership Journal, the leading publication for church leaders, for 14 years. Currently, I'm editor-at-large. I've worked closely with my friend, Dave Goetz, for 6 years and am honored to take on his responsibilities as columnist. I look forward to meeting many of you through e-mail.

My father died 8 years ago this week, and so for my opening column, I wanted to reflect on a time he taught me something about Christian leadership:

Dad and I padded through the tall pines, our feet quiet on the carpet of brown pine needles. We had come to New Hampshire, just the two of us, something that had never happened before. I knew then that I, a full 11 years old, was becoming a man.

We placed our net, tackle boxes, and rods in the canoe, then slipped it quietly into the Ossipee River. As Dad paddled from the back, I cast my trustworthy Mepps lure near the lily pads. Father, son, canoe, water, ...