I love Andy’s perspective on tensions and problems. If you mix those up it’ll mess you up! There are “problems to solve” and “tensions to manage.” Don’t manage problems! You need to solve them. Period. Tensions? You’ll never solve them. A great example, for pastors, is the tension between family and ministry. It’s a tension that you’ll need to manage forever! Of course, the real trick is discerning what’s a problem and what’s a tension!

One key to leadership is learning to leverage the tension. Tension fosters creativity. It forces you to define goals. Without tension, I think it’s easy to remain static spiritually and intellectually. Tension is “iron sharpening iron.” I also think truth is found in the tension of opposites. So tension is part-and-parcel of a healthy theology!