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Legvold Coaching and Consulting, 513 17th Avenue East, Oskaloosa, IA (2026)

05/06/2025

We usually think about leadership as something that we must DO, don't we? My musings today will address something that leadership too often does not define very well, but it is my opinion that leadership, especially in an ecclesiastical setting is just as much about what you DON'T do as it is about what you actively do.

The reason for this is that, culturally, leadership is often defined by what we accomplish. The old, but useless measuring stick about leadership reminds us of the 3 "B's: butts, bucks, and buildings. In other words, leadership is only built upon the results of the actions we take: more people in the pews, more concrete and stone structures, and more dollars (which may actually be the driving force behind the other two...which is sad). Leaders who fail to achieve results in these areas are likely to be branded as failures. But that's just not true.

Great leaders help those they are leading and training to beware the pitfalls that very often end us distracting and defining leaders simply because they did not pay attention to what is going on around them. I had an athletic coach once that was always encouraging up to look away from the ball and look at the surrounding environment. Is the weather changing? Is the light fading? Do the officials look interested or appreciated? Does the other team look fired up or do they appear to be tired? Many of these other factors affected how we might play, and how he might coach.

So what are some of the environmental factors for which we need to look? Here's a few, and how they could impact a positive trend in your church or organization:

1. Financial markets can make people become more or less willing to spend money on implementing something vital. You should know about things like interest rates and cash flow issues.

2. What's happening in the community? If schools are being closed and real estate prices are falling fast, that's a real distraction for many people. If the mall is closing--as most are these days--or the manufacturing plant is shutting down, the impacts can be huge.

3. What political party is in control at each level of government? For some, having a more liberal party in control can cool their sense of a positive future, while for others having a conservative movement might embolden them.

There are many more, and you know them better than I. But I do want to point out just one more that makes a huge difference without us evening knowing it. If you want a challenge, I would encourage you to get a copy of Megan Basham's book, "Shepherds for Sale." In it, she goes to great lengths to demonstrate how big government, big education, and big money have seduced many of our favorite church leaders, such as Rick Warren, Andy Stanley, and Tim Keller, and many of our favorite resources, such as Christianity Today magazine. The reading will disturb you, but the point I want to get across here is that what our evangelical heroes are doing, and what they're buying into or endorsing, can influence the people we are trying to lead, and train to be leaders.

When all is said and done, you see, what we don't pay attention to can overwhelm what good we have drawn to the attention of others. Much of leadership, I assert once more, is being able to see and mitigate negative things, keeping them from taking root in the imaginations of those you are helping or training.

If you need help identifying and destroying the power of the negatives in you context, I can most certainly help you. I can do so even by simply asking questions. Get in touch with me here if you'd like to discuss bringing me in to assist in moving your forward toward your goals.

02/06/2025

Though I do love the winter season (I'm a Norwegian by blood after all), I am finding it increasingly hard to carry out the duties of daily life. My hands get cold, so it's not as easy to perform chores. My back gets stiff, so it's harder to lift and move things. My sinuses get dried out, so it's harder to maintain my defenses against the colds and flu hanging around. In times long ago, none of that bothered me, but age has taken it's toll. It's just plain hard to enjoy my routines.

As leaders, we must recognize that the seasons of our lives go through many cycles of seasons as well. When we feel good and the atmosphere seems ripe for moving forward at breakneck speed, we tend to sprint toward our goals and labors. When it's sunny and warm, we enjoy a good challenge. But when things begin to turn colder, when there's less activity and those we are leading tend to get bogged down in a "let's wait until things are better" attitude, it's almost as if we want to stay away from the cold, bundle up, and drink the hot chocolate of comfort and ease. But this is not the best way to do things; seasons of frantic movement followed by seasons of semi-retirement and unemployment should not be the cycle of authentic and engaged leadership.

The Bible does tell us that there will be seasons of life even as leaders, such as in Ecclesiastes 3, so we might think that some time off from forward-looking leadership is helpful, but we should not take respite, but continue to lead through the seasons of life. Our need is to pace ourselves to do ministry and cast vision, even when there seems to be little energy as possible. If we fail to continue momentum, we will find ourselves stuck just like I see when people get into a little snow on the road and they are afraid to keep moving. Movement is a friend to the leader, even if it's kept in first gear.

Maybe you or your church/organization find yourselves stuck at times, and it's easier to just wait until the snow melts and warm sunshine is restored? Why not consider the fact that it's better to keep moving forward, even if it's slowly? I can help you to determine how to do so, so that the winter of your heart will find you continuing to make progress when it it most difficult. Get in touch with me at [email protected], and let's talk about the best ways to help each other through the cold months and be more than ready to tackle spring when it comes.

01/08/2025

"But becoming new and disillusioned over everything that is new and better--all that is planned, programmed, produced and promoted--allows a new hope to grow, a hope based on the coming of Jesus, and the promise of a new heaven and earth. This hope allows us too be far slower, more deliberate, less grandiose, and more intentional about what we will do and also what we refuse to sacrifice in the name of achieving a vision." (Dan Allender. in Leading With a Limp.

For many--most--of my years of pastoral leadership, I was taught, and therefore practiced, running with the latest thing that I had been told was necessary to make my congregation more relevant and to cause the kind of growth I desired. The problem was, and still is, that God's timing is not always are, and we often find ourselves doing what we think is impossible--outrunning God to the next achievement, the next goal. I have learned that this is folly because God is the slowest, most patient being in the universe. He spent six days (however you may want to measure days) creating all that is, when He could have certainly spoke it all into being with one word. After the Fall in Eden, He took centuries to bring the promise of a Redeemer to pass. He expected that Paul the Apostle spend years in exile, deepening his relationship with God and learning about His Word and Will, rather than thrusting Paul into an immediate ministry to the Gentiles. God is amazingly slow (as we count slowness), even to the point of our aggravation. But the very best things come to those who wait...upon Him.

What this tells us in this culture of immediate gratification and even more immediate information, is that it is best--almost always--to slow down, exit the success superhighway, and pause to hear what He is saying and observe what He is doing, and how He is doing it. I know this sounds wrong to ears that are used to getting things done so we cane move on to the next thing, but it is not at all wrong. Relationships cannot be built at the speed of light, and the Kingdom of God will not be forced by our efforts; to try to do so will only bring failure or burnout...of both.

Have you or your church been searching for how to not just perceive God's will, but to carry it our at His pace? If so, I may be the guy who can help you embrace these things. Send me an email at [email protected] if you'd like to talk more about doing things God's way--the intentional, careful, and patient way.

12/05/2024

I just finished reading Joe Rigney's book, Leadership and Emotional Sabotage. It's one of those books that I wish I had available 10, 20, even 40 years ago, back when I began pastoral ministry. Since faithful pastors are also supposed to be effective leaders, I commend this book to you.

A few things struck me especially hard as I was reading it, and one of them is how to deal with the pressure one is under as a leader, regardless of the context. But there is a difference between wrong pressure and right pressure, so we must learn to see the difference between the two. The key test, we are told, is whether we can clearly name the issue which is causing us to be under pressure. Can we talk about the elephant in the room? Or does the pressure come in more subtle forms, always masked and out of direct view? And when it comes up for discussion, are we seeking to persuade one another about what is good and wise, our are we seeking to pressure and manipulate each other to avoid open conflict?

The leader that is sensitive to these motivations, both in themselves and in others, is better able to steer away from conflict and more into honest conversations. I must admit that I have not done a good job of this in the past, at least on some occasions, and have actually allowed the pressure to affect how I respond, sometimes with anger, and sometimes with withdrawal. Neither were, and are, helpful. This does not excuse the manipulative actions of others, but it does put leaders in the best position to lead wisely.

Here's an example: when congregations, church boards, or church staffs want to rid themselves of a person they find troublesome or who appears to stand in the way of progress, they will often use a method where they won't simply bring the issue out into the open for calm, deliberate discussion, but they will begin a program of increasingly making it more and more difficult for their target to remain in place, pushing him or her to the point where resignation and departure seems like the only thing to do. This labor is evil, unholy, and unhelpful to everyone involved. Wise leaders can learn to see that happening in their midst, or even in their own hearts, and more to resist it, and redirect the thoughts of others.

I've been on both sides of discerning the right and wrong kinds of pressure, and seen/experienced the damage done. I think that places me in a good place to help leaders through those kinds of valleys in their work and ministries. If you think I might be able to help you and your church/organization, reply here or email me at [email protected] so we can talk more about it. God bless!

10/27/2024

Organizations are like organisms in many ways, thought they are two different things. But one way they are alike is that both can get sick, and sometimes for similar reasons. Right now, my wife (who is rarely ill) is fighting a virus. After sitting in the local clinic for nearly 3 hours yesterday, she was seen by a physician who did a thorough examination, and proclaimed that she is likely fighting one of several viruses that are making their rounds through local schools (she is a substitute teacher). Her instructions were to treat the symptoms, rest, and let the bug run its course. She's generally following the doctor's orders.

Organizations can find themselves in similar situations. "Bugs" make their round through all kinds of organizations--including churches--and it seems impossible to shake them at times. The symptoms are often things like lethargy, fatigue, loss of desire and will, malaise, and the frozen position where all that is desired is a return to the way things used to be--when they were bigger, stronger, agile, and more influential. But no longing for the past will ever help organizations be healthy in the present or striving for the future.

Churches are both organizations and organisms. Churches have organizational structures and are also local, present manifestations of the Body of Christ, which is universal. Churches get sick, too, but all too often think that the answer is doing nothing (refusal to change) or trying to do everything but what is healthy (as if busy-ness will cure what ails them). Neither course is helpful. Churches need coaches/consultants who, like physicians, can help them diagnose their issues and respond with a helpful treatment. Most churches who find themselves in a place where they feel ill may need to either rest (ceasing activity outside of what's necessary--worship, fellowship, mission) or needing to have specific activities prescribed (doing one thing different or new that will help them to move toward a healthy future). Rest and/or focused activity are often the most helpful of all treatments.

As a coach and consultant who knows what it's like to work with unhealthy organizations, I may be able to diagnose and offer treatment plans that will get/keep your church healthy. Respond to me here by reply with contact information and I'll get back to you, or (better) email me at [email protected] so we can chat about the possibilities. (Serious inquiries only, please.) I both want to help, and can help you and your church get better.

09/27/2024

If you'd like to help the victims of Hurricane Helene, I heartily recommend giving to Convoy of Hope. They are the very best at immediate, practical, and compassionate response to disaster. Please check them out and support their mission.

09/05/2024

After almost a year away from this work and this page, I am returning to it. In the past year, I have said farewell to my last two coaching clients, seen my wife retire, and moved back to my hometown of Oskaloosa, Iowa. I am finally getting settled in to our new home and my old stomping grounds, and am ready to re-engage in the work of coaching and consulting.

To remind you--or to inform those of you who may be encountering this page for the first time--I am a retired Presbyterian pastor (ECO) with almost 38 years of full-time ministry experience, a Certified Transitional Pastor (ECO) and Certified Coach. The areas I am concentrating on are:

1) Preaching--if you are within an hour or so miles of where I live (or have a private helicopter which you can send to get me)

2) Coaching--while my greatest joy and experience is in working with younger pastors as they encounter the the realities of pastoral ministry for which they were not prepared, my coaching experience and training can help almost anyone who wants to achieve goals which are either individual or corporate in nature, in religious contexts or not.

3) Consulting--my experience and expertise are in the areas of assisting congregations to navigate change, discover new ways to carry the gospel to their communities, getting churches "unstuck" from their routines, and helping churches to search for new leadership.

Currently, the best ways to contact me about these and other possibilities, are either to 1) leave me a comment or message on this page, or 2) contact me via email at [email protected].

I'll be posting more in the next few days. Let's see how we might connect to do greater things than we are now!

10/04/2023

It's been awhile since I've posted here, mostly because I don't seem to have a lot to post about. In fact, I'm giving serious consideration to deleting this page because I haven't seen a lot of fruit from it. Perhaps coaching is a part of my tool kit now, but not many people are seeing the need for it in their own lives. That's okay! The one client I now coach is making strides toward his goals, and I am proud. But I don't see much more out in this field with which to work. I'll pray over this and see where it goes for the rest of the year. Keep a look out for future posts, which I hope be so long in coming.

01/12/2023

I had knee surgery a couple of weeks ago today, so that is one among many reasons why I haven't posted for awhile. I am recovering, but not nearly as quickly as I did from my last one, more than 20 years ago. When I asked my surgeon why, he simply smiled and reminded me that I was young (in my forties) then, and I am old (and near to drawing Social Security) now. Older things are harder to fix, and the longer we wait, they become even more difficult to correct and heal.

My conversation with him reminded me of a truth I have always known, but sometimes failed to practice: address the problem NOW! Whether it is fractured concrete in your driveway, or a fractured relationship in your life, it is very unlikely to get any better--and WILL get worse--if you don't deal with it. Our problems ain't just gonna go away on their own.

Pastors and other leaders of human beings have a problem, regardless of their personality style. Unless one is a severe narcissist, we all want to please others and make their lives (and ours) as easy as possible. Very few of us can honestly say that we truly don't care what others think of us, or of what we say or do. But addressing a problem can be quite painful for every party involved.

We need to learn to be more fearful of the damage our reticence can do than the harm our frankness can do. (Read that again and again until you get it!) My great regrets in life and ministry are centered on the times I failed to confront a problematic person or issue; I have few regrets about having done so with rapidity. I think that you know that to be true of your life as well.

As a coach, I can help individual leaders gain the courage and the skills necessary to discern problems and address them immediately, rather than let them fester. As a consultant to your board, I can help them navigate how their decisions can negatively affect others and create problems in their organizations. Contact me through the email address on this page and let me know how I can help you.

It's time.

11/07/2022

There is pain in leadership, whether it be in the corporate world, the sports world, or the church. I have known the latter better than the other two, but I understand what can occur when we work to get out ahead of things and move folks forward.

Years ago, as the church I served from 2004 through most of 2019 was considering moving from one denomination to another, I met with someone who had already endured a painful path to do just what we were considering. He gave me lots of wonderful advice, but the thing that stuck in my head most was his comment that, when you go through this kind of transition, you will experience some of the greatest blessings (God will do miracles through people you will never expect), but also some of the greatest disappointments (people you thought were your friends turning on you). He was absolutely correct!

It is to be expected that some will, by God's providence, catch sight of the vision you have as a leader, and come alongside you unexpectedly. They may be late adopters, but they prove to be allies that you will need. But it is equally as expected that some people you always thought were with you on your journey will drop away or even betray you. They may have what seems to them to be logical reasons to do so, but it doesn't lessen the pain at all

One observation I've read is that, when the circle is small, there is more opportunity to be stabbed in the back. It's both physically true and relationally applicable. Those we hold close to us are the ones that can hurt us the deepest, and surprise us the most. The pain of losing a favorite neighbor cannot compare, for instance, to the pain caused by a spouse's infidelity, or a friends abandonment, or a confidante's betrayal. This reality can make leadership pretty painful sometimes, but it is to be expected. We lead human beings, after all!

So how should we deal with this possibility of pain as leaders? Should we cast a suspecting eye on everyone within our circle, expecting their worst? Should we close ourselves off from any kind of professional intimacy, so as to protect ourselves? We can do neither. Being leaders means that we must be risk-takers and trust-givers, which does make us vulnerable, but it also means that there will always be people who will work closely alongside us, and we need them all.

Having trouble with this kind of leadership pain? Contact me via the email address on this page, and let's talk about how I might be able to help you transform your pain into something positive. Blessings!

09/15/2022

Today is the third anniversary of my departure from the last congregation I served, one where I served faithfully and energetically for 15.5 years. As I am wont to do, I have been gathering nuggets of truth from my departure from that church, in order to share a few truths that might encourage you in your journey.

One of those nuggets of truth is to never let a hard ending deter you from a new beginning. I was deeply wounded by what happened to me in my last couple of years there, but I am learning not to let the scars determine my approach to the future. It is a matter of tragic fact that people hurt people, and some of those hurts are intentional. But we cannot let our being hurt become the glasses through which we see every future opportunity and relationship. There needs to be forgiveness, even if there is no acknowledgement of the need for mercy, and no repentance for wrongs inflicted.

Another nugget that may prove helpful to you--or to your church--is to make sure you never forget the imperfections and weaknesses inherent in every human being. I have a covenant brother who talks about my being absent from the class on Original Sin, every time I think that someone should have known better or done better. While I do think that high standards are vital to growth in anything, we cannot forget that people tend to fail, in degrees or in total. Such failure should be expected and accepted, even when it applied to you.

One last little nugget for today: if you know the truth, and have chosen to live it out, then it doesn't matter how many lies may continue to be told about you. You and God know better. The person who is lying about you is deceiving themselves about their own nature and character. Someone--or Some One--will confront them...someday. Live the truth, and let them live the lie. Sooner or later, people will figure out who has integrity.

Is there some way--as an individual coach or as a consultant for your leadership team or your church--that I can help you to find good ways to get beyond a difficult past? I'd like to explore that with you. Contact me via the email address on this page, and let's talk about it!

Legvold Coaching and Consulting

05/06/2025

02/06/2025

01/08/2025

12/05/2024

10/27/2024

09/27/2024

09/05/2024

10/04/2023

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11/07/2022

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