Daniel Allen

Gritty Wisdom for Men Following Jesus

I developed this blog to encourage and strengthen men as they seek to follow Jesus in all of life – their faith, work, relationships, and leadership.  

Why? Because of my vision: that men, leaders and churches will follow Jesus – and lead with Jesus – for the life of the world.

I’ve been helping leaders go deeper with Jesus and live their God-given passion and calling since my first job in church leadership. I’ve maintained that focus in various roles: pastor, church planter, director of a church planting center, leadership coach, and all-around champion of emerging leaders and young men who seek a passionate relationship with Jesus.

You'll find here my thoughts from the trenches and crucibles, highs and lows of real life. I hope you find them helpful.

Either way, post a response; I'd like to read your thoughts too. 

For a bit more about me...

After working in two churches and completing my first round of graduate work (M.Div. Fuller Seminary) I formed a coaching/consulting practice to help leaders, churches, and organizations achieve clarity of direction and map out a path for closing the gap between where they are and where they want to be.

I've served my clients by designing leadership development systems; facilitating executive-level mentoring and coaching groups; facilitating life-direction consultations; and facilitating strategic planning initiatives.

I've taught in adjunct roles with undergrads and graduate students at Lee University, Reformed Seminary, Fuller Seminary, and Bethel Seminary - and designed and led mentoring groups for college students in TN and VA, and young adults in VA, TN, and online. Huge joy has come my way from leading mentoring groups with college guys and young adult men - my Men Following Jesus groups in Charlottesville VA and Knoxville TN.

I hold certifications in the Focused Living® Coaching Process, utilized by more than 15,000 people worldwide; the Tom Paterson™ StratOp Planning Process, used for over thirty years to enhance organizational alignment in industries worldwide; the Church MasterPlanning® Process; and the U-Cipher Executive and Team Development Assessment. I went back to Fuller and earned my Doctor of Ministry degree, concentrating my studies on leadership formation and enhancing church and organizational effectiveness.

I am coauthor, with Bobby Clinton, of the leadership commentary, Nehemiah: Focused Leadership, and recently completed the manuscript for my second book: Purple, Black, and Blue: Gritty Wisdom for Young Men Following Jesus.

I currently reside in Dallas, Texas, with Lainie, my wife and life-partner since 1981. We are proud parents of two young adult daughters, one son-in-law, and two adventurous grandsons.

I remain in pursuit of three highly elusive goals: a four-hour marathon, a par 3 hole in one, and three shots in the inner ring from 25 yards.