How will you instruct the next generation?
My last reflection focused on how King David, now very old and feeble, came to name his son Solomon as the successor to the throne. David’s final words before his passing include the following...
Faith & Family Business
Staying faithful in distress
April 28, 2023
As we wrap up our year-long study of David and his family, I’d like to end with reflections on a few Psalms, the ancient Hebrew hymns reflecting several episodes in David’s life. (That there are...
The dark side of succession (Part 2)
April 28, 2023
In last week’s reflection, King David brought his son Absalom home to Jerusalem, but he was not allowed to be in David’s presence. The text then shifts to Absalom’s appearance, and what a description...
A blessing for grandparents in the family business
April 23, 2023
My grandparents, on both sides of my family, had a significant influence on my life. One set of grandparents fostered my interest in agriculture, and, through our family’s struggles and challenges,...
A blessing for your estate planning efforts
March 26, 2023
Estate planning involving a family-owned business is a difficult endeavor. You are contemplating the future of the business you built, which is a big part of your legacy. You are thinking about your...
A blessing for a family business gathering
March 12, 2023
Gatherings of family or family business members can be at times taken for granted and at times intentionally avoided: “We’re always together” or “We never meet.” Roles or proximity might require...
A blessing upon the passing of a family business member
February 26, 2023
When a family business member passes away, it can feel doubly painful because we have lost someone who was part of two overlapping families: our extended family and our work family. The person who...
A blessing for rest in the family business
February 12, 2023
Life in the family business — life in general — can often feel overwhelming. You have recurring seasons of high-stakes work and the constant pressure to perform. But at some point the need for rest...
Blessing the next generation’s return
January 29, 2023
My last blessing focused on the senior generation “letting go” of their family business role. Today’s blessing is for the younger generation and their entrance into the family business. We are often...
A blessing for letting go in the family business
January 15, 2023
A key challenge in family business succession is the senior generation’s transition to a different role, or to a partial or full exit from the organization. Not only must they “let go” of what they’...