Defining Reality: The Map, The Compass, and the Tyranny of the Week-to-Week

In the Trenches: Church Health · May 7, 2026 · 27m

Max DePree said, 'The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality.' In other words, a leader who doesn’t know the true health of their organization is a leader who is about to lose their way.

But here is the truth for most of us listening: Defining reality is the hardest part of the job because we are exhausted. We are gospel bearers, but we are often also the 'chief firefighters' of our churches. And you cannot offer a hopeful future if you are too busy or too tired to see the truth about your current reality.

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Today, I’m giving you that panel. We are diving into the Church…