November 9, 2008
Keys to Teamwork (Part 4): Wise Decision Making
Steve Bond shares how Summit Christian Church pursued wise decision making through elder consensus, staff-led leadership, patient timing, and a team culture that values listening.
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.
November 2, 2008
Keys to Teamwork (Part 3): Conflict Resolution
Stephen Bond explains why healthy ministry teams must embrace honest conflict, pursue compromise, practice forgiveness, and protect organizational health through open, humble conflict resolution.
October 26, 2008
Keys to Teamwork (Part 2): Communication
Stephen Bond shares practical lessons from Summit Christian Church on strengthening ministry teamwork through honest communication, reduced stress, personal boundaries, appreciation, and a shared language.
October 19, 2008
Keys to Teamwork (Part 1): Chemistry
Stephen Bond reflects on how chemistry, expectations, and ministry alignment helped Summit Christian Church build healthy staff and elder teams during a season of significant growth.
October 5, 2008
Raising Up the Next Generation of Genuine Leaders
John Derry encourages churches to develop future leaders by identifying potential, investing resources, providing hands-on experience, and inspiring young people to embrace servant-leadership.
September 21, 2008
The Assassin of the Headless Sprinting Chicken
Jud Wilhite warns leaders about the danger of burnout, challenging the myth of perfect balance and calling for sustainable rhythms of rest, family priority, and long-haul leadership.
September 7, 2008
Getting There Is Worth the Cost
Gary L. Johnson outlines six practical steps for church strategic planning, showing how elders, staff, and volunteers can work together to move a congregation forward with purpose.
Especially in Bible Translation . . . Close Only Counts . . .
Jeff Miller examines two 1 Corinthians passages and shows how translation details can shape conversations about women in ministry and leadership.
August 10, 2008
How Your Small & Midsized Church Can GROW
Leonard Wymore urges congregations to strengthen the leaders already among them by building teams of associates, ministry teams, and healthy meeting practices that help churches grow.
Questions for Servant-Leaders
By Mark Wesner Editor”s note: The following questions were distributed as a self-examination exercise at an elders and staff retreat sponsored by First Christian Church, Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. We believe they”re good for servant-leaders everywhere to consider. Spiritual Growth. In what way(s) are you more like Jesus today than you were one year ago? “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness,
Interview with Robert Stradley
Robert Stradley of Harmony Pines Christian Camp explains how sled dogs teach leadership, teamwork, humility, and spiritual fervor as they follow the guidance of the “Good Musher.”
April 20, 2008
Leading Men
Three churches are discipling and training men and boys for long-term spiritual maturity and leadership—from battle-themed mentoring for teens to a demanding program designed to identify and develop future elders.
April 16, 2008
Struggles in High Places
Mark Zuckerberg’s leadership struggles at Facebook echo challenges many church and parachurch leaders face: rapid growth, pressure to sustain the work, and the temptation to lead on one’s own terms.
March 19, 2008
A Program to Recognize the Leaders You Know
Christian Standard invites readers to nominate outstanding servants whose Christian character and leadership are making a difference. Learn the simple criteria, where to find forms, and the April 1 nomination deadline.
February 17, 2008
The Assassin of Character Creep
Jud Wilhite warns leaders about “character creep”—small compromises that quietly erode integrity. Using the Titanic as an illustration, he urges practical safeguards, honest friendships, and daily attention to the “rivets” that keep a life and ministry intact.
February 3, 2008
E.L. Russell—A Pacesetter Without Prominence
Brett Andrews remembers Eldreth L. Russell, a faithful minister whose joy, contentment, teaching clarity, passion, and servant heart helped shape a church and influence generations—often without recognition.
December 9, 2007
Leadership in the Church
Churches need leaders, but Scripture defines greatness as serving. Doyle Roth calls believers to trade titles and status for the towel and basin—leading people to Christ through humble, practical service.
November 7, 2007
The Most Important Plan
A counselor once said confessing temptations early can prevent deeper failure. Mark A. Taylor reflects on fear, pride, and the need for trusted accountability that helps leaders grow in integrity.
November 4, 2007
Recovering from Excellence
A critique of the church’s “excellence” mantra, exploring how it can become elitist, expensive, exhausting, and divisive—and offering healthier alternatives like efficiency, patience, and inclusion.
October 7, 2007
Cultivating Church Leadership Through Internships
Church leadership internships: How internships can help churches raise up leaders from within As churches grow, leadership gaps can stall momentum. This article explains how one church developed a practical, step-by-step approach to identify potential leaders, disciple them, and progressively increase responsibility through internships. The goal is to cultivate gifts and build a healthy leadership pipeline from within the congregation. Identify leaders early and build intentional pathways for development. Use internships to formalize responsibility and increase accountability. Create a clear process that moves people from volunteer roles toward staff roles. By Kevin Stone As Christ’s Church of the Valley’s executive
