Most teams ask, “What do we need to add?” Few ask, “What do we need to release?” The word cleave holds a paradox. Discernment lives in the tension. Let go of what doesn’t serve. Hold fast to what does. 1. Stop Maintaining What No One Uses Outdated automations. Abandoned newsletters. Broken forms. If it’s not […]
Let’s Make Space: What Can You Stop Doing This Month? Read Post »
Purpose-driven teams often want to help as many people as possible, which is admirable but risky. Trying to serve everyone can lead to unclear messaging, inefficiencies, and burnout. When users are left without specific choices, they may feel confused and leave. 1. General = Generic A generic call to action rarely motivates anyone. Broad messaging
Why “Helping Everyone” Is Not a Strategy Read Post »
You are resourceful, but you’re faced with a chaotic mix of tools and unclear decisions. Many mission-driven teams rely on makeshift solutions. The system isn’t broken; it’s just misaligned, and this misalignment can be more costly than you think. 1. Scrappy Isn’t Sustainable You built it fast. But now no one knows how it works.
The Real Cost of DIY Systems in Mission-Driven Work Read Post »
Ministry teams work hard to create excellent content—sermons, studies, events—but often feel discipleship is stuck. The problem isn’t effort; it’s the pathway. Without clear steps, even excellent content can get lost. This article explores how UX and systems thinking can help ministry leaders design effective spiritual pathways that actively move people forward. You’ve built the
Spiritual Formation Needs Better Pathways, Not Just Better Content Read Post »
My church needed to expand. We’d outgrown our building, and adding another Sunday service wasn’t sustainable. So we decided to build. I didn’t start by leading the project. The church leadership asked me to lead the design and marketing team for the initial initiative. We weren’t raising funds yet—our job was to shape the message
What I Learned Managing Two Church Building Projects Read Post »
No formal training. Still better at spotting bad design than most teams I’ve worked with. I have two wonderful kids – a 15-year-old and an 8-year-old. They have grown up in the digital age and are proficient in using technology. My daughter discovered she could add her friends as emergency contacts and send them texts
What My Kids Taught Me About Usability Read Post »
Hospitality Doesn’t Stop at Your Front Door Churches welcome people in person, but often neglect the online experience. Many visitors check your website or social media pages before attending church, registering for an event, or joining a group. Unfortunately, their experience can feel cold, confusing, or off-putting. This isn’t due to a lack of passion;
What Digital Hospitality Looks Like in Ministry Digital clarity is spiritual care. Read Post »
We measure clicks.We track conversions.We optimize user flows. But in all the dashboards and decision meetings, we often forget to ask the one question that changes everything: “What would this feel like if I were the user?” Not “Does it work?”Not “Can people find it?”But: How does it feel to walk through this experience as
The Most Important UX Question No One Ever Asks Read Post »
“The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.” — John Powell Introduction: Learning by Doing (and Failing) In a previous article, I shared how I transitioned into UX research as a self-taught researcher. Like many who enter the field without formal training, I learned the hard way — by making mistakes. My
How I Failed My Way Into Better UX Research: 10 Mistakes That Shaped Me Read Post »
I never thought I’d become a UX researcher. I wasn’t even sure what UX research was when my manager told me I’d be doing it. But when your career takes an unexpected turn, you either sink — or find a way to swim. I have been designing and developing websites since 1997. While my friends worked in fast food and
From Code to UX Research: My Unexpected Career Pivot Read Post »
