Please share these articles with your colleagues, congregations, and friends.
7 Trends Impacting Church Leadership for 2025
As the landscape of ministry continues to shift, the Lewis Center sees congregations adapting in creative new ways. Jessica Anschutz, Ann Michel, and Doug Powe identify seven trends impacting churches and how they pursue their missions in 2025. Read more now.
Ten Non-Negotiable Rules for Child Safety in Churches
Child security is crucial in church ministries to ensure a safe environment for children to grow spiritually. Sam Rainer identifies ten key measures help protect children from potential harm including: avoiding one-on-one adult-child situations, conducting annual background checks, establishing check-in procedures, supervising bathrooms, and providing ongoing volunteer training. Read more now.
Declines in Young Clergy Reflect a Changed Culture
Lovett H. Weems Jr. reports on how a changed culture for post-Boomer generations holds many clues for the absence of younger generations in churches and, thus, the historically low numbers of young clergy. Read more now.
9 Essential Steps for the First 90 Days in a New Ministry
Starting a new ministry is both exciting and challenging. As you enter a fresh ministry context, you’ll encounter unique dynamics within your congregation, whether you’re breaking new ground as the first woman or person of color or joining a congregation facing its struggles. Andreá Cummings provides steps to take within the first ninety days to help you build relationships and trust with your congregation, identify areas needing improvement, learn about your community, and forge new relationships with key stakeholders. Read more now.
4 Traits that Make Small Churches Vital, Formational Communities
In small-membership churches, spiritual formation thrives when it is intentionally embedded in the community’s life. Allen Stanton writes that while church size doesn’t determine the depth of formation, a deep sense of community and a shared story foster virtuous growth. Small churches don’t need to grow in size to fulfill their mission; they can cultivate meaningful formation within their existing structure, celebrating their unique strengths and forming individuals to live out God’s kingdom in everyday life. Read more now.
Struggling with What to Write in the Church Newsletter?
Struggling with what to write for the church newsletter? Jessica Anschutz shares ways to write meaningful and relevant material for your church newsletter by aligning articles with your church’s mission, connecting ministries, breaking silos, elaborating on worship themes, and rotating focus areas. These insights will help engage readers with purpose-driven, faith-building messages. Read more now.
10 Features of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Beloved Community
C. Anthony Hunt identifies 10 features of the Beloved Community in the work of Martin Luther King Jr. He describes how King’s concept of Beloved Community, rooted in the biblical notion of God’s unconditional love, connects faith to action. Read more now.
4 Rhythms of Rest for the Weary in Ministry
How can weary church leaders live into God’s design for flourishing? Laura Heikes challenges church leaders to resist the culture of busyness and embrace the life-giving rhythm of Sabbath. While our society may glorify overwork, ministry flourishes when leaders model God’s balance of work and rest. Here are practical ways to start living into this sacred rhythm. Read more now.
A Letter from the New Lewis Center Director, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page
Jonathan Page, the new director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, writes his first article for Leading Ideas as a letter to all the people who use and contribute to the Center’s work. He shares his appreciation for the work of the Lewis Center, points to new leadership challenges and opportunities facing church leaders, and invites the partnership of all stakeholders of the Center to meet these issues. Read more now.
5 Steps to Help Your Church Be Friendlier to Guests
How can your church be friendlier to newcomers? Karl Vaters believes churches can become friendlier by implementing the G.I.F.T. Plan: Greet, Introduce, Follow up, and Thank. By encouraging intentional, simple actions like greeting newcomers and following up, churches can build genuine relationships and make visitors feel welcome, leading to lasting connections and a more welcoming church culture. Read more now.
