Ministry Would Be Great If It Weren’t for the People
Difficult people are part of every congregation, but Margaret Marcuson, author of Sustainable Ministry: How to Lead (and When to Nap), argues that leaders make…
Browsing: Leadership Best Practices
Articles
“Sustainable Ministry: Leading Without Burning Out” featuring Margaret Marcuson
Podcast Episode 187 What does sustainable leadership look like when ministry leaders are navigating constant demands, anxiety, and competing expectations? In this episode, Jonathan Page…
Letting Pastor’s Kids Be Kids
Laura Heikes reflects on two decades’ worth of lessons learned from raising pastor’s kids while serving in ministry. Healthy ministry families, she writes, are nurtured…
3 Questions to Ask Before You Recruit Your Next Volunteer
Allen T. Stanton says the goal of volunteers in church isn’t more programs—it’s discipleship. He gives three questions to ask to help leaders and their…
The Faith to Rest: Why Sabbath Matters for Leaders
Is Sabbath the missing key to healthier leadership? Cary Humphries explores why practicing Sabbath is more than taking a day off—it’s an act of faith…
“How Leaders Make Meaningful Connections” featuring Zach Mercurio
Podcast Episode 182 What makes people feel like they truly matter in your church? In a season where many are disengaging from church life, how…
What Gets Celebrated Gets Replicated: Why Joy Drives Leadership
What if the key to lasting momentum in your church isn’t more pressure, but more joy? Brad Aycock shares five practical ways leaders can make…
Restoring God’s Image through Worship
Worship does more than express what a church believes—it forms what a church comes to believe. The language congregations repeatedly use for God and the…
Free Webinar — Best Practices for Pastoral Transitions
Tuesday, April 21, Noon-1 p.m. Eastern What all should you consider if you are making a ministry transition? How do you make the most out…
A Prayer You Can Replay: Extending Care through Voicemail
Looking for a simple, intimate way to extend your pastoral presence? Laura Heikes reminds us that a voicemail prayer only takes a few seconds to…
“Leading Faithfully in a Changing Church” featuring Karen Stewart
Podcast Episode 179 How do we lead faithfully in a world that’s changing faster than the church ever expected? In this episode, Lewis Center Director…
Workaholics Aren’t Heroes: Finding a Healthier Rhythm for Ministry
“I’m so busy!” How often do you say or think this throughout the week? We live in a society that glorifies hustle. But our culture’s…
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…
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…