I learned the hard way that church leaders need personalized care.
—Roy C. Price

I've just gone through one of the most painful periods in my pastoral experience. It revolved around my relationship with one man. From the first time I met him, things were strained. A former leader in our church, he lived in another state for a few years and then returned to his position on the board. In the interim, I had come to the church as pastor.

Early on I sensed negative vibrations from this person. About the same time I began to initiate monthly luncheons with each board member, but he wouldn't meet with me. The end result was that he left the church. Although I leave the matter with God, I'm convinced that had I begun meeting individually with my board earlier, it would have made a difference. I learned the hard way that church leaders need personalized care.

The Power of Personal Influence

"It's so simple! Why didn't I do this before?" I exclaimed to my wife after ...