October 20, 2026
The Search for Calm Waters in a Sea of Technology
Douglas A. Spears
Leadership Development
Leadership Development equips churches and ministry teams to identify, train, and empower leaders for long-term discipleship and mission. Explore practical, Bible-based resources on mentoring, coaching, apprenticeships, and building leadership pipelines for elders, staff, and volunteer leaders. You’ll find guidance on cultivating character, clarifying competencies, delegating responsibility, and creating a healthy culture where leaders grow and multiply. Whether you’re developing emerging leaders, strengthening current leadership, or building a repeatable process for your church, these articles help you invest in people who can faithfully lead in Jesus’ name.
Planting Seeds, Growing Leaders
Leadership development in NextGen ministry is more than filling volunteer roles. It is the patient work of cultivating supported, equipped leaders who nurture faith in children and families.
Lead Yourself First
Ministry leaders who last take responsibility for their own growth. Self-leadership, healthy rhythms, and intentional development strengthen both the leader and the people they serve.
Latest in Leadership Development
Intentionality is the Missing Ingredient
Healthy church leaders are not developed accidentally. Churches must intentionally create formal, informal, and non-formal environments where current and future leaders can learn, grow, and thrive.
Power and the Unhindered Heart: Why the Greatest Threat to Leadership Integrity Is Often Hidden Within
Power rarely creates character problems; it reveals what is already within a leader’s heart. This article calls Christian leaders toward humility, accountability, healing, and faithful stewardship of authority.
The Leader’s Sexual Integrity
Christian leaders must guard against pride, secrecy, and sexual sin by cultivating integrity of heart, practice, and awareness before temptation becomes collapse.
How Can Christians Respond to Online Accusations?
False accusations can spread quickly and damage the church’s witness. Faithful leaders must discern when to remain silent, when to investigate, and how to pursue truth over reputation.
Above All, Guard Your Heart: Leading With Integrity
Leadership integrity begins with guarding the heart. This article reflects on Scripture, ministry experience, friendship, and spiritual formation as essential foundations for faithful leaders.
Going Steady
David Faust reflects on biblical steadfastness, urging believers, parents, workers, preachers, and elders to stand firm, stay faithful, and remain steady in an unstable world.
Your Ministry Matters
In this Editor’s note, Shawn McMullen encourages church leaders—especially in small congregations—to remember that every faithful ministry matters. Prioritize personal holiness and depth with Christ, and trust God…
Best Buddies
John Hampton and David Vaughan share lessons from more than four decades of friendship shaped by ministry, shared history, and golf. Their “buddy-building blocks” highlight intentionality, grace, loyalty,…
Don’t Make My Mistake
Mike Edmisten shares how years of ministry left him isolated from other pastors—and how introversion, busyness, and insecurity fed the problem. His warning becomes an invitation to pursue…
Every Superhero Needs a Squad
Kent Fillinger uses superhero teams to encourage pastors not to serve in isolation. He highlights rising pastoral loneliness and offers practical ways solo ministers can find support, accountability,…
Companions on the Narrow Trail of Ministry
Ministry can feel like a narrow trail with limited visibility. Dave Jones shares how friendships with elders, staff, and fellow preachers helped him endure lonely seasons and lead…
Bearing The Standard of The Movement for 160 Years
The year 2026 marks Christian Standard’s 160th anniversary, underscoring our long history and deep connection with The Restoration Movement.
