I recently sat in a room full of friends and asked them: what characteristics make up an effective leader? We took turns sharing traits and characteristics of good leadership, and came up with several.

In our collective experience, good, effective leaders exhibit the following characteristics: They are curious; they are courageous; they are good listeners, validating others’ concerns and perspectives without being dismissive of them. They are not paralyzed by their fear; they enter into the tough stuff, rather than running away from it; and they aren’t afraid to admit when they get something wrong, taking personal ownership rather than blaming others.

Good leaders show compassion; they are available and care for their people, prioritizing building others up over building themselves up. They are able to be gentle and firm at the same time; they exhibit conviction, not swayed by public or popular opinion. They also demonstrate flexibility, able to listen to differing opinions and make decisions based on the collective input of others–walking the fine line between their personal position and the positions of others who may not see situations the same way.

LeadershipNathan WestwickOctober 19, 2026LeadershipComment

Leading God's Way (Introduction)

When you think of the term “leadership”, what words come to mind? What makes a leader effective?

Maybe you have images of a strong leader, authoritative and decisive. One who won’t be swayed or moved by public opinion. A “my way or the highway” kind of leader.

Or maybe you’re thinking about a quiet, gentle leader who, in his or her humility, is great at listening, great at attending to your needs, but lacks the confidence to make a firm decision.

The first one is clearly effective at being action-oriented, while the second one is clearly effective in tending to the needs of others.

Why is it that so few leaders are able to bridge the gap between those two styles?

LeadershipNathan WestwickOctober 15, 2026LeadershipComment

Let Hope Awaken...

The season of Advent brings to us, front and center, our soul’s deep longing for the arrival of something new–something that restores, something that heals. It awakens our deep longing for hope.

Like a child counting down the days until Christmas morning, Advent is not a passive waiting; it is active preparation. It is clearing the path. It is making a way, not just for Jesus’ arrival in Bethlehem, but for His arrival into our lives today.

Nathan WestwickDecember 10, 2025Comment

One Silent Night...

I was sitting in our Christmas Eve service today, singing the words to Silent Night when it hit me. And it hit me hard.

I was picturing this scene of utter serenity: a mom aglow with pure love for her newborn, people gathering around this swaddled child in holy reverence. Stillness. Silence. A child sleeping in heavenly peace.

And then…

The sudden interruption of images of this child’s final days. Being hit. Slapped in the face. Spit upon.

Nails through his hands. A crown of thorns on his head.

Faith, The Stuff That MattersNathan WestwickDecember 24, 2024Blessings, Death, Finding Joy, Faith, Gratitude, Heaven, Love, Offering HopeComment

What's Your Offering?

This sign stares at me each and every day from a bookshelf across from my desk.

It’s a reminder that my duty is to offer myself to others, each and every day: whether it’s my family, our customers at Wild Goose, or any ministry (or book)-related conversations.

I’ve felt God’s invitation to use my voice more this year, and I’m realizing that sometimes “using my voice” looks like being a guest on a podcast, sometimes it looks like preaching from stage at Sandals, and other times it looks like a simple conversation with customers at Wild Goose.

I’m learning that “using my voice” entails both the “platform moments” as well as the hidden, simple conversations that we have with people everyday. And oftentimes, it’s the latter that provides the most joy and the biggest impact.

God calls us to be faithful in all of the moments. Because the world needs who you and I were made to be.

Where is God challenging you to offer yourself to the world today?

Life Abundant, The JourneyNathan WestwickJuly 29, 2024Bettering the World, Clearing the Path, How God Sees UsComment

Gideon Part 4: Gideon’s Ephod

The end of Gideon’s heroic life is one of the sadder stories in the Bible.

You see, Gideon had led Israel in battle against their oppressors and had restored order and prosperity to the nation. They wanted to elect him as ruler over their country, but Gideon, knowing where his victories came from, declined:

He told Israel that God would be their leader, not him.

I love Gideon’s heart here. But then something shifted: Gideon asked them men to offer up their golden earrings as payment for Gideon’s conquest. So Gideon comes off with this large haul of gold, melts it down, and makes an ephod with it.

Who cares, you might ask?

Gideon, Fighting for What's GoodNathan WestwickApril 24, 2024Blessings, Career, TemptationComment

Gideon Part 3: Your Army is Too Big

Imagine Gideon’s path—from hiding in a winepress, to getting a call to lead his country in battle, to asking for God’s confirmation, and then finally mustering troops to bear arms and fight.

32,000 men said yes to Gideon’s leadership. 32,000 were prepared to fight against Midian, for the sake of their freedom and for the freedom of their families.

32,000 men who were willing to fight 120,000 Midianites—all because Gideon had faith that God would keep His promises and give Israel victory.

If I’m Gideon, I would be tempted to go back to the winepress and ask someone else to lead. After all, who wants to take those odds when you consider the troop count?

But Gideon stays, and God speaks:

“Your army is too big.”

Gideon, FaithNathan WestwickApril 9, 2024Anxiety, How God Sees Us, Questions, Risk-Taking, Stepping OutComment

Gideon Part 2: The Fleece

Gideon’s fleece may be one of the more colloquially quoted stories that Christians use. You see, Gideon was called out by the angel of God as a mighty warrior—one who would lead Israel against the Midianites (the ones stealing all of their food). But like you or me, Gideon was afraid.

Afraid he might not have what it takes to lead a country in battle. He was a man of faith, but even the mighty warriors feel inadequate when God calls.

It’s what makes us human.

But the good news is that God knows this.

GideonNathan WestwickApril 9, 2024Faith, My Own Shortcomings, Playing It Safe, QuestionsComment

Gideon Part 1: Arise, Mighty Warrior!

Imagine living in an agricultural society, working hard to grow crops to feed your family, only to have those crops stolen again and again, with your family left to go hungry. Understandably, this would wear on a person, and you would likely rise up in anger, seeking to enact justice on those who are stealing from you.

But imagine that those stealing from you are much more powerful, much more forceful, and any time someone tries to speak up or fight for their rights, they get squashed so that the rest of the community will get the message and fall back in line.

This is the environment Gideon grew up in.

His solution? He hid.

Gideon, Overcoming FearsNathan WestwickApril 2, 2024Adventure, Desperation, Fighting On, IdentityComment

Go Take a Hike...

When I was a kid, people used to use that phrase as a send-off, getting rid of someone who was being difficult. At the time, it was considered a rude dismissal and people would get offended.

Funny how times change. When I think of the ways we dismiss people today, I think inviting someone to take a stroll through nature might be one of the kindest things we could do.

Here’s why: When I’m acting belligerent, it’s usually because I’m feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or I feel like life is out of control. I’m acting belligerent because I’m reaching for control of any situations that I might be able to influence—often because I’m feeling that I’ve lost all sense of agency to influence anything.

Can you relate?

Being Present, The JourneyNathan WestwickFebruary 28, 2024Hot Mess, Finding Joy, NatureComment

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