David Staal

Don’t miss these opportunities to develop talent in those you lead.

Don’t get sucked into the perpetual cycle of big-picture planning.

Four lessons for your children’s ministry and your adults.

What a bout with cancer taught me about caring for the people I lead.

How a mantra I learned at a marriage retreat guides my leadership.

Essential elements for life, work, and leadership.

The multiple-choice test you’re taking every day.

So listen to the voices. The right voices.

A leader can’t exist without people to lead—treat them well.

Turn a vision of tomorrow into a plan others can see for themselves and join.

Don’t overlook the power of second chances.

5 starting points for handling your church’s media relations.

5 fundamentals for bringing out the best in your people

The church attracts many critics, but there are still plenty of signs of health and hope.

Avoid decision anxiety by answering these questions.

A good team culture is never an accident.

Alignment is the key to a happy, successful team.

Turn these three common thoughts into positive realities.

Good leadership is never an accident.

Good communication lets those you lead know you value them.

5 important realities and hard questions that you need to consider.

4 truths new leaders should slow down and consider.

Leadership advice from decades of experience.

Build a better culture … together.

Find and keep the right #2 leader.

Try these simple suggestions for a team building kickstart.

Leadership teams willing to dive into these issues set a strong pace.

The most valuable result of an evaluation is not the completion of the process, it’s the outcome.

Conversation starters to learn from other leaders.

Diagnose the symptoms—and work toward a cure.

Words are powerful.

“That went exactly like the strategic plan said it would.”

One teen’s campaign will change how you view youth.

Fresh data shows a valuable trait ascribed to church volunteers: commitment.

You can’t plan for everything.

It’s time to change what we say to fathers.

Kids know when it happens—be prepared to make the most of this valuable time.

Well-chosen stories have the power to challenge and to teach..

Appreciate the breath of life by connecting with the One who is in control of all.

What is the outgoing leader’s responsibility in transition?

Questions for leaders in transition.

Leadership lessons from a cancer survivor about living life to the full.

People want to do substantial kingdom work; you just need to ask.

Thankfulness is a value worth instilling.

The best gift any church can offer to its community is found in the pews, not the collection plate.

Develop a lens through which to examine—plan and evaluate—communication pieces.

When a good relationship freezes over, someone often needs to do something out of the ordinary.

Be deliberate in your approach to ministry and do more of what you do best.

Four takeaways from the 2013 Global Leadership Summit.

Everyone can extend a hand, build a friendship—and make a difference.

In a critical culture, it’s good to focus on the good things that are still happening.

What does it really look like to love our neighbors as ourselves?

Passionate, specific, persistent prayer is essential to every ministry.

Prioritize affirmation and watch little lives change.

Focus on four overlapping elements of reliability, and you’ll become a hero to a child.

Trends in children’s ministry apply to public education.

Trends in public education apply to children’s ministry.

Effective recruiting requires careful attention to messaging.

When we serve someone marginalized or forgotten, we actually serve Jesus.

An important message for children’s ministry leaders who ever wonder if their work counts over the long haul.

Anyone who works with children has likely seen how worry works to weigh a child down.

Before passing along this advice to parents in your ministry, please read this article.

Consider four “pieces” to meetings that could bring about major changes in your church, community, or even the world.

During National Mentoring Month, let’s remember Jesus’ command to reach out to “the least of these.”

Instead of piling more opinion and outrage on this issue, let’s examine a common-sense lesson that’s easily overlooked.

Whether asked by children or adults, sincere questions about faith deserve our attention—even when they come at inconvenient times.

When was the last time you or the members of your team looked into the eyes of a child in need?

My recent “cancer lap” reinforced my desire to cherish each moment and live fully for kingdom purposes.

We in ministry leadership need to consider how to partner with parents to deliberately shape the character of the young athletes around us.

Postponing our company picnic highlights three key principles for making smart decisions.

How to proactively influence those above you.

My wife and I knew nothing about organizing an after-prom event; but we did know how to love the volunteers we led.

As schools continue to cut programs and eliminate positions, your church faces an incredible opportunity for service.

Children’s ministers and volunteers must never forget the power of words of encouragement and praise.

Amid the current clamor over controversial personalities and hot blog topics, we’re missing the soft voices of children in need.

As a beginner on cross-country skis, I am noticing many parallels between my newfound sport and ministry leadership.

Through partnering with schools, we can bring light and hope to children locked in darkness and despair.

If you’ve ever been mentored, you understand that nothing compares with building one-on-one into another person.

Don’t miss the opportunity to serve up some sweet treats with your heartfelt thanks.

What a furnace repairman taught me about preparing for those good folks who visit church over the holidays.

One woman’s powerful story led me to ask some honest, soul-searching questions.

Two great ways to let others see what a meaningful holiday looks like.

With the tight rhythm of weekend ministry pounding a beat that never stops, the desire to find the right someone turns into willingness to take anyone.

Do all those questions from kids—at the most inopportune times—frustrate you or get you excited?

Your ministry might serve as an easy target for someone who wants to harm children.

Don’t miss this opportunity to encourage a friend.

How would our conversations change if a webcam and mic followed us throughout the day?

Leaders should be a positive force that moves with volunteers—listening carefully when they speak, valuing their contributions, and championing their ideas.

Why do we keep bonking our heads against the same old ideas? Maybe it’s time to try something new—especially this summer.

Do kids show up at church for the treats and trinkets?

Children develop the ability to authentically apologize when they know how it feels to receive an apology.

A safety program that doesn’t address bullying fails to keep kids safe.

Are you keenly aware of what drives you to do what you do?

Sitting around waiting to discover God’s will can paralyze your ministry

Our country has an attendance problem.

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. —Psalm 47:1

When the economy suffers a cold, children catch pneumonia.

Like it or not, most kids follow mom or dad’s lead on faith issues.

I spent Saturday speaking at a Kingdom-engaging event. Allow me to explain.

Every child deserves to know that he or she matters—to God for sure, and to at least one other person.

After listening to her new worship CD Brighter Day, I wanted to know more about the heart that drives Annie Sander’s powerful voice.

Our children’s ministry periodically offers a class for parents and kids to attend together called “The Big Step.” This 90-minute event features a brief training session for parents, a salvation lesson, discussion time for kids and parents, and even a photo station to create a take-home piece to remember the evening.

You will send several messages today. Whether you intend to or not, you’ll communicate thoughts, feelings, and beliefs to other people.

We recently held auditions for vocalists—students who will sing beside our children’s ministry worship leaders on weekends.

What are we doing? That’s the question we challenged ourselves to answer.

I coach my son’s basketball team of fifth- and sixth-graders.

I’ve coached my son’s basketball teams for five seasons. Each Tuesday evening we hold a one-hour practice and each Saturday we play a 40-minute game.

A recent incident confirmed that a hectic ministry pace can serve as a big, constant distraction in life.

The priceless reward for everyone in children’s ministry is clear: watching children, one by one, take steps in their walks with Jesus.

Look close. Real close. The priceless reward for everyone in children’s ministry is clear: watching children, one by one, take steps in their walks with Jesus.

Many children’s ministries answer that question with clear and relevant lessons, accompanied by creative Bible teaching.

I learned a lesson recently while driving to work. Light snow fell as I turned onto the church drive, my first meeting set to begin in less than a minute.

The human hand performs many miraculous tasks.

This weekend, listen to your ministry.

Something happens to me on the hill—the nearby sledding hill. I know that I shouldn’t do it but the longer I stand there the more I feel a compelling urge to strap on the snowboard.

This article focuses on a reliable tool to help children’s ministries see their effectiveness.

This is a great time of year to consider the profound impact of three simple words—”Batteries Not Included.”

I sent a simple survey to parents requesting that they let their sons and daughters complete the sentence “I thank God for …” Here’s a sampling of what kids expressed thankfulness for, in their words.

Everyone knows the dual role of Thanksgiving—eating more than what’s reasonable and expressing appreciation for something or someone.