Author Archives: Don Follis

Pastor/coach Ron Edmondson says, “In an organization, what is passed down, maintained over the years, repeated the most — become part of a tradition.  This is the way people do things — the way decisions are made — the way people respond to leadership and potential.”He is right! The unwritten rules are the rules.  ItContinueContinue reading “The unwritten rules are the rules”

“Are you humble and wise?  How about hungry and smart?  You need all 4 to get from Here to There!” [This is my Sunday column from the August 28, 2016 Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette]—–For more than 20 years at his Chicago-based Global Leadership Summit, Willow Creek Community Church pastor Bill Hybels is known to say: “Everyone winsContinueContinue reading “To be a better leader you have to be humble and wise, hungry and smart!”

The idea of last week’s column (8/12/16) in the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette popped into my mind while I was recently riding the subway in New York City.  I call it: “Being God-aware, self-aware and other-aware is worth the effort” …—–Of the hundreds of conversations I have had with pastors, I never have seen pastors lose theirContinueContinue reading “It’s always 3-fold: God-aware, self-aware & other-aware!”

Here’s my column in today’s Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette. July 17, 2016.  I’ve discovered that though we certainly want the fruit of the Spirit to ripen in our lives — such as kindness and gentleness and patience — many times determining to just “be nice” only gets you so far down the road.  What do you think?—–IContinueContinue reading “Being always nice in church definitely has its limits”

Here’s my July 3rd column for the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette…One of the decisions that my dad and mom regretted was allowing me to join a harvest crew the summer when I was just 14.  A man in our church owned a company where he contracted with farmers to harvest their wheat crop. The wheat ripens inContinueContinue reading “Loving God and loving yourself applies to both children and adults”

The best way to get to know what is going on with someone is to ask questions.  That’s what I like so much about my ministry with Pastor-to-Pastor Initiatives.  I meet with pastors and leaders and try and ask them great questions. I’m not an expert on anyone’s life.  But I try to listen well andContinueContinue reading “Jesus asked great questions…”

In light of the massacre in Orlando last weekend, for my column in today’s Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette (6/19), I felt compelled to return to one of my oft-visited themes in the religion column — grief.  —–After the horrific killings in Orlando last weekend a man said to me, “I just can’t imagine.” That response reminded meContinueContinue reading “In the river of grief, love is stronger than death”

So a pastor gets fired by his disgruntled congregation.  Before he leaves he puts 3 envelopes in themiddle desk drawer for the incoming pastor. Attached to the envelopes is a note that says, “To be opened when you run into trouble.”Well, a new pastor is called and sure enough it isn’t long before he getsContinueContinue reading “Humble pastors, well, humble people, gain trust more quickly”