| Home | eBooks |
| Devotions | Podcasts |
| Articles | Church Suppliers |
| Videos | Our Writers |
| About Us | Find Church Jobs |
iStock
Some time back I did something with our staff that was a huge hit. It's simple. Any staff can do it, whether in a church or a business application. And it boosts staff morale and excitement when we do it. I encourage you to try it with your staff. It's called a "Blue Sky Thinking" morning. In this post I explain what it is and how you can do it to supercharge your staff morale.
"Blue Sky Thinking" is a creative brainstorming technique to help leaders think outside the box. The origin of the phrase, although rather obscure, implies the emptiness of the sky and thus, blue sky thinking means thinking with no preconceptions (i.e., thinking outside the box).
Before I give you our steps, I've listed below the benefits I've observed in our church staff:
1. It stirred creativity.
2. It allowed freedom to not have to 'produce' something. Rather it provided space to focus on issues we tend to put off.
3. It fostered deeper relational connection when we shared what we learned.
4. It encouraged our staff to affirm each other.
5. It made us more vulnerable to each other as some tears have even been shed.
So, here's what we do.
Step 1: I schedule the first Tuesday of each month for our blue sky day. I send an email and ask each staff person to spend at least two hours alone that morning in a place that encourages creative thinking and minimizes distraction. They may choose a coffee house, a park, their office (with the shades drawn to block distractions), or even their home. The key is to pick a place as distraction-free as possible.
Step 2: During their blue sky session, I encourage them to dream, pray, and think about some ministry or personal issue they need to give attention to. The sky's the limit. I send these questions in the reminder email a few days prior to spur their thinking. They don't answer every one, but they pick one or two to stir their creativity.
Step 3: That day in our staff meeting after we've finished our blue sky sessions, we each share what we did in our time. Each staff person takes about five minutes to share. I then give us an opportunity to ask questions or comment. Sometimes no one comments. Sometimes the comments are very profound and affirming. I take notes and always affirm each staff person for something I noticed in their blue sky session before the next person shares.
Every time we do this, our morale gets a boost and each of us leaves that staff meeting feeling affirmed and excited.
I encourage you to try this simple experience and see what it does to your staff's morale.
 | Charles Stone coaches and equips pastors and teams to effectively navigate the unique challenges ministry brings. By blending biblical principles with cutting-edge brain-based practices he helps them enhance their leadership abilities, elevate their preaching/ teaching skills, and prioritize self-care. A pastor for over 42 years, he has served as a lead pastor, associate pastor, and church planter. He published seven books, and over 300 of his articles have appeared on various Christian leadership websites. He holds four earned academic degrees, including a D.Min. and a Ph.D. Learn More » |
Have you ever felt the pull to full-time ministry work as a missionary or pastor? If not, you can still make a Kingdom impact without quitting your current job. In this eBook, you will learn the four essentials that can change your perspective of work, your workplace, and most importantly, your heart.
 | Jordan Raynor helps Christians respond to the radical, biblical truth that their work matters for … |
 | Todd Hopkins is founder and CEO of Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services. He earned the … |
Ryan Sanders serves as the Director of Content for BiblicalLeadership.com. |
 | Copyright © 2025 Networld Media Group, LLC. All rights reserved. |
Already a member? Sign in below.
