Leading Well in Ministry: Planning for a Lifetime of Service
You’ve spent your life serving others. You deserve someone who can serve your financial and retirement needs equally as well, so that you can continue to seek first the kingdom of God.
Church Staff
Church Staff provides practical, Bible-based guidance for pastors and ministry teams serving on church staff. Explore articles on staffing structures, role clarity, hiring and onboarding, communication, healthy collaboration, volunteer development, and leading with integrity. You’ll also find wisdom for managing workload, preventing burnout, navigating conflict, and strengthening staff culture so ministries stay aligned with the church’s mission. Whether you lead a team or serve in a support role, these resources aim to help church staff work well together and serve the congregation faithfully.
April 1, 2025
Following Through … Even Years Later
I want to speak to those, like me, who once upon a time made a commitment to serve. I thought that chapter had closed. My commitment that summer circa 1993 may not have panned out how I expected, but I think that through the working of the Spirit, the love of the Son, and the guidance of the Father it is still something I'm called to do.
January 20, 2025
Don’t Forget About Pastoral Care
Jesus was a man on a mission, but people were at the heart of his mission. The Lord is our shepherd, and he calls us to be shepherds, too.
May 15, 2024
Ministry Help Wanted
Recent postings: A director of campus ministry is needed at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). Stillwater (Pa.) Christian Church is looking for both a lead pastor and a youth pastor. Lexington (Ohio) Church of Christ is seeking a full-time senior minister. Norwin Christian Church in North Huntingdon, Pa., needs a full-time worship minister. Lycoming Christian Church in Linden, Pa., is seeking a minister of children, youth, and young adults. Michigan City (Ind.) Christian Church needs a senior minister. And more . . .
August 11, 2021
Mosaic Christian’s Sabbatical Program Helps Staffers Rest, Recharge
Mosaic Christian Church (Elkridge, Md.) established a program last year that offers all full-time staffers at least a monthlong sabbatical after every seven years of full-time ministry.
May 26, 2021
Job Prospects Strong Among Christian Churches
Despite a global pandemic that limited in-person church services for much of the past year, the job market for pastors in the Restoration Movement remains robust, say those who closely follow the trends.
May 1, 2021
To Hire the Right Staff, Ask the Right Questions
Here are the top three things I looked for when hiring staff.
July 21, 2020
Church Staff Steps Up During Preacher Search, Pandemic
By Chris Moon The COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult one for church leaders and staff to navigate. But try doing it without a senior pastor in place. That’s the reality Richwoods Christian Church in Peoria, Ill., has been living during these days of the new coronavirus. Tom Butler, the church’s executive pastor, joked that he took a class in seminary about serving in a church through a major pandemic and a recession—and without a head shepherd in place. “That class has really come in handy,” Butler said. Then, in a serious tone, he said, “This has been unprecedented in
July 17, 2019
Executive Pastor Online Aims to Fill a Gap for Smaller Churches
By Chris Moon Kevin Stone wants to be the executive pastor many churches want but simply can’t afford to hire. Years ago, the executive pastor at Christ’s Church of the Valley in Royersford, Pa., began thinking about how he could serve small and midsized churches that simply don’t have the capacity to hire ministers to manage their operations and administration. So in 2006, he founded the first iteration of what has become known as Executive Pastor Online. “The site is your online executive pastor,” Stone said. “The idea is to provide that skill set and those fundamental concepts to the
January 2, 2019
‘Pastor’s Project’ Offers Help to Struggling Ministers
By Chris Moon Dick Creek has been busy lately—and it’s the result of having knee surgery. A year and a half ago, he launched The Pastor’s Project, an initiative to help struggling pastors. The effort has grown since then to include a “Rapid Response” ministry for pastors who find themselves in crisis and a “Rural Church Initiative” to connect thriving churches with those that might be struggling, in hopes of sparking a revitalization. And all of this emerged from the time Creek was stuck in his chair, healing up from knee replacement surgery. “I had a lot of time on
October 4, 2018
A Furnished House for the Preacher
CS Archive from October 3, 1903 _ _ _ When I arrived at Christian Standard more than 20 years ago, I heard many arguments against parsonages. And indeed, during my time at the church of my birth, the congregation sold three “homes” for various reasons. It was surprising, then, to come across this essay from 115 years ago suggesting that churches should purchase and furnish a home for their minister. The article from page 7 of the Oct. 3, 1903, edition, was written by a man—at least, I assume it was a man—from Turner, Oregon. _ _ _ A Furnished
May 23, 2018
The Lead Pastor: XP Edition Pairs a Lead Pastor with an Executive Pastor
By Caleb Kaltenbach MALIBU, CA—Pastor Paul Porgman needed an executive pastor, so he went on The Lead Pastor: XP Edition. The show is patterned after the hit series The Bachelor, which features a single man who spends weeks with many attractive women until he chooses his future wife. In The Lead Pastor: XP Edition, Porgman spent weeks with many unattractive, out-of-shape, type A personality men until he chose one to be his executive pastor. “It was . . . bizarre,” Porgman said. “We never got in a hot tub, but I walked on the beach with each one of them. I also had to take them out
November 22, 2017
The Night Before Christmas
By Kelly Carr “Twas the night before Christmas, when all through church houses, every creature was stirring, all the staff and some spouses. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, but peek inside the church building””you”ll find everyone there. While others are restful, sugar-plums in their heads, on Christmas Eve church leaders are busy instead. Ministers across the country confirm what you already know: Christmas Eve is one of the best attended services of the year. Large and small congregations, suburban, rural, and city locations all welcome folks who rarely darken the doorway of a church building other
October 1, 2017
Minister’s Salary Survey (It’ll Take 2 Minutes)
In preparation for a January article, Kent Fillinger is asking all church ministers to participate in a Minister’s Salary Survey. The two-minute, anonymous survey is for all ministers no matter his or her position or church size. (No data or information will be linked to anyone or any church.) Survey results and insights will be shared in our January 2018 issue. Deadline to respond is Friday, October 13. Click this survey link to participate.
August 17, 2017
Evaluate Wisely!
Six church human-resource leaders share their best practices for successfully lifting the lids that limit the capacity of staff members Leaders and employees have one thing in common when it comes to performance reviews. Both cringe at the thought of them! How do you view staff evaluations? Are they an annual chore filled with official forms and uncomfortable face-to-face meetings? Have you ever said, “Write your own review, and I”ll sign it”? Would you prefer the “no news is good news” approach? As a new ministry season begins and as the end of the year approaches, effective churches understand the
April 21, 2017
Safety and Security on Sundays and Beyond
How churches are protecting property and people By Justin Horey On Christmas Eve 2012, thieves broke into Grandview Christian Church in Johnson City, Tennessee, and stole musical instruments and audio-visual equipment belonging to the church”s worship ministry. No one was harmed during the heist, though the theft created additional stress for the church staff on one of the best-attended days of the year. Thankfully, Grandview was able to borrow equipment from another local congregation in time for its worship services that evening, and most of the people who attended had no idea what had transpired earlier in the day. Churches
April 22, 2016
Five Ways Staff Members Can Work with the Senior Minister
By Michael C. Mack Bob Russell spoke at a regional gathering of small group ministers held in Louisville in 2009 about how staff ministers can work more effectively with their senior ministers. 1. Find ways to communicate with him, especially when working through an edgy or controversial topic or situation. Be sure to run actions by him first. There”s value in many counselors. You can gain his trust by seeking his advice. Maintain harmony. Regularly communicate with him about your plans, problems, and victories. Be ready to admit your mistakes when you make them. If you sense a distancing between
February 4, 2016
Five Ideas You Can Use This Month
Ideas for your youth group, small group, class, ministry team, or congregation . . . By Michael C. Mack 1. Â Deliver roses and chocolates to residents of nursing and retirement homes on Valentine’s Day. 2. Offer a free Valentine”s Day wedding weekend. Parkcrest Christian Church in Long Beach, CA (Parkcrest.org), has offered free use of its facility, an officiated ceremony, and a cake-and-punch reception. 3. February is American Heart Month. Conduct a Valentine”s Day blood drive. Partner with the Red Cross (redcross.org) to set up a mobile unit in the parking lot. Promote the drive in the church and community.
January 4, 2016
January Ministry Ideas
By Michael C. Mack Snow Jobs. Develop a volunteer team who ministers especially during snowstorms. When the storm hits, team members grab their shovels, snowblowers, and chains, along with their four-wheel-drive vehicles, and head out to shovel walks, pull stuck cars out of ditches, and help anyone else in need. They can take along some hot chocolate and coffee as well for stranded motorists. Skating with Grace. Rent out a skate rink and throw a free skating party for your community. Include refreshments, good music, and perhaps even some lessons. “Free Skate is a friendly witness to our community””and a
December 5, 2015
Celebrate Your Volunteers This Season
By Michael C. Mack This is a great time of year to say thank-you and let your volunteers know how much you appreciate them for their service. Here are five simple but significant giving ideas: 1. Be sure your gift communicates that you care about and appreciate each person as an individual. 2. If you have a large number of volunteers, it may be cost prohibitive to send each one an extravagant gift, but you can send a high-quality Christmas card””not the $3 boxed set of 100 cards!””with a personal note in each one, thanking them for their ministry, letting
