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
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…
United Methodist Clergy Age Trends in 2026
The Clergy Age Report from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, produced in partnership with Wespath, offers an annual look at the changing age profile…
What Clergy Age Trends Tell Us About Church Leadership
What can church leaders learn from the latest Clergy Age Trends report? Jonathan Page identifies three key takeaways for the church: cultivating calls to ministry…
The Gift of the First: A Reflective Commentary from the Installation of Dr. Carla Works
Dr. Shonda Nicole Gladden, Director of Programs and Initiatives at the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, reflects on what it means when a historic first…
A Committed Congregation
Dr. Dontá McGilvery invites churches to consider how they can help congregants move from discovering their God-given purpose to developing a concrete plan for living…
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…
Responding to AI Concerns is a Matter of Pastoral Care
As with any significant community change, clergy need to help their congregants navigate the personal, ethical and social terrain of AI, writes Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes.…
A Practical Guide for Church Families Supporting Seniors in Need
As congregations seek to care well for aging members, good intentions alone are not enough. Justin Black offers practical ways church leaders can organize consistent…
Back to… Christmas?
Church leaders may not be thinking about Christmas in September, but this is an ideal time to begin preparing for Christmas Eve. Lewis Center Director…
“The Leaders We Need Don’t Lead Alone” featuring Beth Ludlum
Podcast Episode 186 Collaboration is essential for the future of the church. In this episode Beth Ludlum, the Co-Director of The Hub for (Re)imagining Ministry…
Dolly Parton: A Beloved Leader in a Time of Division
Dolly Parton was beloved by audiences across the political and ideological spectrum, having built an enduring legacy of philanthropy and service. Allen T. Stanton reflects…
Honoring the Laborers
Dr. Dontá McGilvery suggests that churches draw inspiration from Labor Day to create an annual season of rest and appreciation for faithful volunteers. Drawing on…
Unlocking the Potential of the 164 Hours a Week Beyond Sunday
Jevon Caldwell-Gross says churches can no longer assume that Sunday morning is the primary way people will connect with a congregation. He shares how the…
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…
Leading Your Church Faithfully Through Elections
When discipleship extends into public life, what does faithful Christian leadership look like? Kendal McBroom equips leaders with practical resources and practices to build spiritually…
The Rhythms That Sustain Ministry
Sustainable ministry requires more than working harder or managing stress. Drawing on biblical rhythms of Sabbath, joy, friendship, and receiving care, Laura Heikes offers practical…
Empowering the Next Generation: 5 Leadership Frameworks for a Changing World
What does it take to prepare the next generation of Christian leaders? Applying insights from an extraordinary gathering of ministry leaders, Elizabeth Tamez Méndez explores…
Practicing Connection
Jonathan Page explores how the connectional nature of United Methodism provides a model for leadership rooted in shared purpose, intentional relationships, and collective growth. Through…
Self-Care is an Act of Faith
Dr. Dontá McGilvery argues that self-care is more than a personal wellness practice. For pastors, ministry leaders, and church members alike, making time for rest…
The Myth of the “Stable Church”
Many congregations are asking what faithful ministry looks like in a time of change and uncertainty. Lovett H. Weems Jr. explores recent research on church…
Dramatic Changes Are Ahead. The Small Church Can Guide Us.
Church leaders are facing huge demographic shifts, leading to smaller denominations, fewer resources, and leaner institutions. Allen T. Stanton gives us three lessons we can…
Part 2 — Conversations on Christian Nationalism: An In-depth Interview with Caleb Campbell and Rachel Williams
As churches and families continue to navigate political division and fractured relationships, the final part of this interview focuses on what it means to remain…
Part 1 — Conversations on Christian Nationalism: An In-depth Interview with Caleb Campbell and Rachel Williams
In a cultural moment marked by deep division and difficult conversations, this episode steps into one of the most complex and emotionally charged topics shaping…
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…
5 Ways to Engage Youth This Summer
Many churches assume meaningful youth ministry requires extensive programming and resources. Laura Heikes shows how simple, relational experiences often have the greatest impact. She offers…
Under the Surface: The Mission Trip
Mission trips are often viewed as service projects, but effective ministry leaders understand that mission trips can become powerful opportunities for spiritual formation and theological…
From One Blood: Faith, Justice, and Leadership
Dontá McGilvery reflects on the relationship between Christian faith, the pursuit of justice, and the responsibility of church leaders to remember the sacrifices that shaped…
A Church LGBTQ+ Pride Guide: 12 Dos and Don’ts at Festivals and Parades
As more churches participate in Pride events, thoughtful engagement matters. Cody Sanders offers practical tips for congregations seeking to communicate authentic welcome, support, and solidarity…
“Anti-Leader: AI, Faith, and Minimal Leadership” featuring Louis Kim and David Mcallister-Wilson
Podcast Episode 184 What if the strongest leaders are not the loudest voices in the room? In this episode, Louis Kim, David McAllister-Wilson, and Jonathan…