Church Leadership Trends for 2026
As church leaders look toward 2026, familiar approaches to leadership are proving insufficient amid changing communities, evolving teams, and growing demands on leaders. Lewis Center…
Browsing: Leadership Best Practices
Articles
Leadership as a Liberal Art: An In-depth Interview with Michael Lamb
In this interview, Michael Lamb talks about The Arts of Leading: Perspectives from the Humanities and the Liberal Arts, exploring how the humanities offer essential…
Holy Innovation: A Framework for Choosing Your Next Ministry Idea
With limited resources of people, funds, and time, how can churches sort through ideas to discover the next step God is inviting them to take?…
A Leadership Lesson I Used Immediately
Bishop Emmanuel Sinzohagera tells of a leadership lesson he learned shortly after his recent election to the episcopacy that made his leadership more fruitful as…
IRS Proposal to Allow Political Speech in Churches Is Bad Advice
Attorney Holly Hollman of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC) cautions churches and nonprofits about partisan political actions and endorsements, even with recent…
“Leadership as a Liberal Art” featuring Michael Lamb
Podcast Episode 174 In this episode, Michael Lamb introduces The Arts of Leading, a book exploring how the humanities offer essential insights into leadership. He…
New Possibilities are All around You
Churches often see their circumstance through the lens of scarcity and fail to recognize assets and opportunities within their grasp. Joe Daniels and Christie Latona…
Thriving in Bivocational Ministry: An In-depth Interview with Kris Bentley
How can bivocational ministers and the congregations they serve thrive? In this interview, Kris Bentley redefines bivocational ministry beyond traditional models, emphasizing shared leadership, congregational…
“Thriving in Bivocational Ministry” featuring Kris Bentley
Podcast Episode 171 How can bivocational ministers and the congregations they serve thrive? In this conversation, Kris Bentley redefines bivocational ministry beyond traditional models, emphasizing…
10 Ways to Care for the Emotional Health of Your Congregation During a Pastoral Transition
Pastoral transitions are pivotal moments that deeply affect a church’s spiritual and emotional health. Barry Howard highlights that by acknowledging emotions, communicating clearly, honoring the…
Why Great Leaders Ask So Many Questions
Effective leaders recognize the power of asking questions, a skill often lost over time but crucial for building trust and honoring others’ wisdom. Lovett Weems…
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…
3 Big Mistakes in Making Church Policies
Effective leadership requires not just creating policies but also living by them and ensuring they are relevant and beneficial. Dan Reiland highlights three mistakes churches…
3 Ways to Lead Well When a Ministry Closes
Church leaders must evaluate ministries to ensure they align with current and future community needs. Sometimes, this means closing a beloved ministry, which can be…
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 to help…
5 Purposeful Practices to Foster Shared Leadership
Jimmy Arthur Atkins, senior pastor of the True Worship Christian Fellowship, says church leadership should not be a solo act. Drawing on the story of…
7 Excellent Reasons to Learn to Say No
Are there many demands on your time? Ron Edmondson explores the importance of saying “no” as a crucial skill for leaders, explaining how declining requests…
From Weary to Wholehearted: Overcoming Ministry Burnout—An In-depth Interview with Callie Swanlund
How can church leaders overcome burnout? In this interview, Callie Swanlund discusses her book, From Weary to Wholehearted, exploring burnout and its unique challenges. She…
“From Weary to Wholehearted: Overcoming Ministry Burnout” featuring Callie Swanlund
Podcast Episode 164 How can church leaders overcome burnout? In this episode, Callie Swanlund discusses her book, From Weary to Wholehearted, exploring burnout and its…
Struggling with What to Write in the Church Newsletter?
Struggling with what to write for the church newsletter? Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center shares ways to write meaningful and relevant material for your…
Ask Better Questions: Turn Sunday Small Talk into Sacred Conversations
Why do so many Sunday morning conversation get stuck in small talk? Laura Heikes challenges church leaders to move beyond chit-chat and create meaningful connections…
3 Reinvention Pillars of Change
Reinvention involves anticipating, designing, and implementing change. According to Jim Merhaut, effective reinvention requires a leadership mindset ready to disrupt, experiment, and stabilize, ensuring meaningful,…
Exploring the Future of the Church Together: An In-depth Interview with Dustin Benac
How can the church adapt to future challenges and foster community through innovative leadership? Doug Powe and Dustin Benac discuss the future of the church,…
“Exploring the Future of the Church Together” featuring Dustin Benac
Podcast Episode 159 How can the church adapt to future challenges and foster community through innovative leadership? In this episode Doug Powe and Dustin Benac…
Why Congregations Sometimes Change
Systems resist change because their core function is to ensure people repeat established behaviors. However, systems can change when they believe it’s essential for survival…
Reading Between the Lines: Navigating Church Politics with Insight and Wisdom
Effective church leadership involves navigating the politics of ministry beyond practical skills. Doug Powe and Jessica Anschutz emphasize that leaders must learn to read between…
Remembering 9/11, Leadership During a Disaster: An In-depth Interview with Terry Bradfield
How can we lead in times of disaster? As we remember 9/11, Terry Bradfield, a retired Army chaplain who was assigned to the Pentagon on…
“Remembering 9/11: Leadership During a Disaster” featuring Terry Bradfield
Podcast Episode 154 How can we lead in times of disaster? As we remember 9/11, Terry Bradfield, a retired Army chaplain who was assigned to…
Is a Simplified Leadership Structure Right for Your Church?
Many churches are adopting a unified board structure to minimize layers of committee work and free time for hands on ministry. Ann Michel of the…
“Remembering 9/11: Leadership During a Disaster” featuring Terry Bradfield
Podcast Episode 154 How can we lead in times of disaster? As we remember 9/11, Terry Bradfield, a retired Army chaplain who was assigned to…