Leadership | Brandon Hilgemann

Archives For Leadership

The Most Difficult Person to Lead Is You

September 19, 2012 — Leave a comment

You are the most difficult person you will ever lead! If you think leading other people is hard, just look in the mirror. You and I are officially our own biggest projects.

I work in a very large church that works hard to lead thousand of volunteers every single week. I have seen how difficult it can be to cast vision to other and make it sticks. I have experienced how divisive people can stir up all kinds of trouble. I have witnessed attempted communication to a mass audience be misunderstood. But despite all of this, I am still by far the most difficult person I have to lead day in and day out. Continue Reading…

What Do We Do With Freedom?

July 6, 2012 — Leave a comment

After celebrating Independence Day this week, I have been thinking a lot about the freedom we have in America. Unlike many countries, we are free to do so much. But our freedom also comes the responsibility to use it wisely.

Are we wasting our freedom?

I read the following passage in my Bible this morning and I’m feeling convicted.

You Are More Than Your Label

June 27, 2012 — 2 Comments

Just before her 3^rd birthday, my daughter, Ashlyn, had her very first dance recital. That meant a trip to buy her first pair of dance shoes. She was so excited to pick out her first dance shoes. It was a great moment.

In the car on the way home, my wife and I started talking about how Ashlyn loves music and has great rhythm.

I said, “Ashlyn is a little musician.”

Immediately, from the back of the car I heard, “I am not a musician!”

Taken off guard, I responded, “Oh… is that because you are a dancer?”

“No” Ashlyn giggled, “I’m not a dancer!”

Confused, I asked, “Then what are you?” Continue Reading…

In Christian Living, Leadership Andy Stanley, Christian, Craig Groeschel, Dance, Daughter, God, Kid, Labels, Leader, Parent, Pastor, Purpose, Rick Warren, Youth Pastor

I Hate School Dances

June 25, 2012 — 3 Comments

As a teenager, there was nothing I hated more than school dances. I went to all the dances and hated every one of them. Come on, is there anything on earth more awkward than a school dance?

I hated dances so much that one year I made the decision to officially boycott all dances. The night of the big dance, I looked out my window. I could see the high school parking lot from my house. I watched all the cars rolling in. I could hear the music bumping all the way from the gymnasium. Continue Reading…

In Evangelism, Heaven, Leadership, Story, The Church Bible, Dance, Dancing, Evangelism, Friends, Friendship, Heaven, Invitation, Invite, Luke, Party, Revelation, School Dance

How to Overcome Laziness and Be More Productive

June 22, 2012 — Leave a comment

Laziness affects us all. Giving in can ruin us. Overcoming it can define us.

Last night I didn’t feel like going for a run, but I did it anyway. I didn’t feel like writing this blog post, but I did it anyway. After a crazy week all I wanted to do was go to bed, but I didn’t. Why?

Nobody ever got ahead by sitting on their behind. Continue Reading…

In Decisions, Do It, Leadership, Perseverance Bible, Dream, Exercise, Laziness, Lazy, Marriage, Parenting, Productivity, Proverbs, Proverbs and Sayings, Running, Students, Time Management, Winning, Work

The Power of Thank You

June 20, 2012 — Leave a comment

There was a time in my life while working at a previous church that I seriously considered quitting ministry. I was pouring my life and soul into this church and didn’t see any results.

The pastor I worked for didn’t seem to care about what I was doing. I had volunteers who fought against everything I tried to do. No matter how many times I warned them, students kept making the same dumb mistakes over and over.

I was depressed. I was angry. I felt like I was wasting my time trying to make a difference in the world.

Bottle Rocket Runner

June 13, 2012 — 1 Comment

“Hilgemann! You’re running the 400!”

It was my first and only year running track in high school. We were at a track meet at a rival school and we were short handed. And these were not the words I ever wanted my coach – who we affectionately called “Coachie” – to throw my direction.

I am not good at running long distances. Most runners run like a steam engine. They set a steady pace and chug along until they finish. I run more like a bottle rocket. I shoot off to a quick start and then everything goes up in flames! Continue Reading…

In Do It, Leadership, Story Anxiety, Bible, Blessing, Career, Determination, Feeling Stuck, High school, Inspiration, leadership, Life, Money, Pace, Running, Sports, Stress, Success, Track and field

5 Easy Ways To Make Bad Decisions

June 4, 2012 — Leave a comment

Good decisions are for sissies who want the easy way out. Not you. You want life to be as difficult as possible. Sure, you could probably avoid some of life’s problems, but what’s the fun in that? Bad decisions build character and make great stories to tell your buddies. They say, “No pain, no gain.” So if you want a lot of pain, here are five easy ways to guarantee success.

1. Never Dig Below The Surface – All that matters is how good it looks on the outside.

Don’t bother looking at the heart of the issue. If it looks nice and shiny on the outside it must be good. Nobody likes a negative person who is always looking for problems. When it comes to making decisions, prettier is better. Continue Reading…

In Decisions, Leadership Bible, Business, Choices, Decision Making, Decisions, Failure, God, leadership, Sarcasm, Success, Trust

Who Brings The Win?

May 30, 2012 — Leave a comment

Confession time: Over the years I have had some success and some failure. When things go well I tend to think, “Way to go Brandon! You really did great on that one!” When things go bad, I doubt myself. “What is wrong with me? Am I really cut out to be a pastor?”

One of my biggest struggles as a pastor is fighting the tendency to take credit for the success or failure of my ministry. I feel like if I preach the perfect message, do good follow up, and put on amazing events then I will grow my ministry. Continue Reading…

In Leadership, The Church Business, Church, Confession, Failure, Growth, Hard Work, How To, Laziness, leadership, Ministry, Pastor, Religion, Student Ministry, Success, Victory, Youth Ministry

A Father’s Dying Words – “Man Up!”

May 29, 2012 — Leave a comment

On his deathbed, old and sick, the great king David leaned towards his son, Solomon. Urging him closer, David utters his final words: Be a man.

If you knew your time on earth was over, what would you say? It would definitely be something you thought was absolutely crucial. This is your last chance to make a difference–to better the world before you leave it. What would you say? Continue Reading…

In Faith, Leadership Bible, Crime, David, Dying Words, Fatherlessness, Fathers, Last Words, leadership, Men, Parenting, Prison, Solomon

"Brandon is remarkable with his ability to connect with youth in today's culture. He utilizes his own past experiences to draw students into his message and captivate them in order to drive home his point in a highly personal way. Brandon comes prepared each times he speaks. He is a gifted communicator, easy-going, and would be a huge benefit to any church or organization that invites him to speak."
- Matt Mizell, Student Pastor at Sagebrush Community Church, NM

"Brandon is a great bro! Authentic, engaging and easy to relate to! He speaks from his heart which is good because he has an AMAZING heart!"
- Colby Engstrum, Youth Pastor at Mission Hills Community Church, CA

"Brandon is great speaker with an amazing ability to adapt to his audience and make any topic relevant. He is funny, engaging, convicting and honors God by speaking the truth of scripture. I definitely recommend him for any speaking opportunities that he is being considered for!"
- Joe Schmidt, Student Pastor at Sagebrush Community Church, NM

"Brandon Hilgemann is one of the smartest Youth Leaders in our generation. His ability to communicate to teens and relate to their lives sets him apart from many." - Matthew Lemke, Student Director at Mesilla Park Community Church, NM

Archives For Leadership

1. Never Dig Below The Surface – All that matters is how good it looks on the outside.

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