Church Leadership

Church Leadership equips pastors, elders, ministry staff, and volunteer leaders to lead with biblical conviction, humility, and wisdom. Explore practical, Scripture-shaped guidance on leading teams, developing leaders, casting vision, making decisions, and building a healthy ministry culture. You’ll also find help for navigating conflict, communication, accountability, and the spiritual formation of leaders—so leadership flows from character, not just competence. Whether you’re stepping into leadership for the first time or carrying long-term responsibility, these resources aim to strengthen your leadership for the good of the church and the mission of Jesus.

September 1, 2015

Mark A. Taylor

Chasing after Integrity

By Mark A. Taylor The October issue of CHRISTIAN STANDARD is devoted to the theme of integrity. As we finish making final corrections before sending it to the printer this week, I know it contains some of the best material we”ve ever published. Surely the issue will prompt soul-searching in every reader. In a world characterized by concern for image management more than private goodness, even Christians too often fail to walk their talk. But a question has come to me in recent days that we do not consider in those pages. What do we do with integrity failures we

August 31, 2015

Christian Standard

Back to the Present

By Eddie Lowen Over the last couple of years, I”ve heard several of my pastor heroes reveal what they would do differently (and the same) if they could start over in church leadership. Those talks have been rich with wisdom. Since I emulated them in multiple ways, I listened closely each time, wondering if they would express regret over something I mimicked. I carry notes from their leadership talks on my phone, an indication of the regard I have for the wisdom of these men. I reread and meditate on them. It seems wise to give weight to the reflections

August 29, 2015

Michael C. Mack

The Importance of Emotional Intelligence

By Michael C. Mack “Pete, I”m leaving the church.” “I sat still, too stunned to respond,” says Pete Scazzero, founder of New Life Fellowship Church in Queens, New York, and author of several books, including The Emotionally Healthy Church. “When a church member says, “˜I”m leaving the church,”” Scazzero continues, “most pastors don”t feel very good. But when your wife of nine years says it, your world is turned upside down.” Scazzero says while he was a successful senior minister by external measures, he was emotionally immature, “a workaholic for God and failing at home as a husband and father.”

August 23, 2015

Christian Standard

The Best Sermon I”ve Ever Heard (2)

By Arron Chambers Christian leaders, some of them preachers themselves, tell us about a sermon they can”t forget””and maybe you won”t either. Steve Malone Steve has been in the preaching ministry for 24 years and currently is lead pastor at Maple Grove Christian Church in Charlottesville, Virginia. Steve”s Best Sermon: The best sermon I”ve heard on God”s love is by Jud Wilhite, senior pastor at Central Christian Church in Las Vegas, Nevada (www.southeastchristian.org/sermons/pursued-for-relationship). Why Steve likes this sermon: “In this message, Jud makes the story of Hosea come alive, and he does an incredible job of showing how what God

August 22, 2015

Michael C. Mack

5 Practical Ideas to Make Your Meetings More Genuine

By Michael C. Mack What”s the most important element on your meeting agenda? People! If you make it a priority to build genuine relationships with your group, class, or team, you”ll find your meetings will be more efficient and successful. Here are five practical ideas: “¢ Don”t plan to start on time. If you open your meetings with an agenda item or Bible study questions, you”re prioritizing program over people. Plan on a casual start to your group by asking people about their day or week. “¢ Include food! Food seems to break down walls of resistance. Eating with your

August 15, 2015

Christian Standard

An Educational Experiment in Excellence

By Mark E. Moore The Leadership Institute”s residency program at Christ”s Church of the Valley, Peoria, Arizona, began in 2013 because of a single disturbing statistic: 85 percent of all ministry students drop out of ministry within the first five years.1 This is an atrocious attrition rate””a devastating loss of leadership potential with a $60,000 average price tag in tuition. It begs the question: “Why?” The problem is not with our Christian colleges. They are doing a fine job teaching the basics of the Bible. Students come out conversant in apologetics, hermeneutics, homiletics, and a range of theological perspectives. They

August 14, 2015

Christian Standard

Keeping New Leaders in the Game

By Dave Miller Ministry is hard. Who can help ministers jump the hurdles in their first few years of service? After 13 years of ministry, I was fortunate to jump on a start-up and fly all over the United States to consult in churches. I probably visited 400 churches over the five-plus years I was with that organization. I don”t want to exaggerate here, but I believe I heard some version of this phrase more than 200 times: “Please help us find a youth pastor or kids pastor or worship leader or executive or tech director, etc.” It didn”t matter

August 13, 2015

Christian Standard

Ten Ways to Help a New Graduate Succeed in His First Year of Ministry

By David Fincher Our Bible colleges send out hundreds of graduates each year. Churches hire many of them right after graduation to serve as staff members. But the transition from enrollment as a full-time student to employment as a full-time minister is more difficult than expected. Too often, a poor experience leaves the church wondering what could have been done better in the first year of ministry. Bible college graduates know how to succeed within the expectations and rhythms of the American educational system. In addition, Bible colleges have used several other practices to help students. Below are 10 ways

August 1, 2015

Christian Standard

Because of Their Work

By Jeff Faull It was more than 20 years ago that October was designated as Clergy Appreciation Month. My experience and exposure is limited, but for most people I know, Clergy Appreciation Month is a nonevent. Some even perceive it as a “contrived holiday” kept alive by greeting card companies and Christian booksellers. Unless I miss my guess, most Christian workers don”t care much about those “appreciation days” on the calendar. I confess I had to look it up to see when it took place. October passes by with many of us remaining blissfully unaware that we missed anything. And

July 31, 2015

Christian Standard

Chuck Sackett’s Thought Leaders

We asked 35 Christian leaders, “Who is the influencer with the biggest impact on your life and ministry?” Most of these leaders listed several influential thinkers, writers, innovators, and leaders more of us should get to know. This response is from Chuck Sackett, preaching minister with Madison Park Christian Church, Quincy, Illinois. ________ Slavic Prochavska was a preacher in Prague, Czech Republic, who died a few years ago. I first met Slavic on the platform at the train station in Praha (Prague). Slavic was a leader in the days when Communist leaders punished him for being a preacher by withholding his asthma

July 31, 2015

Christian Standard

Tom Ellsworth’s Thought Leaders

We asked 35 Christian leaders, “Who is the influencer with the biggest impact on your life and ministry?” Most of these leaders listed several influential thinkers, writers, innovators, and leaders more of us should get to know. This response is from Tom Ellsworth, senior minister with Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, Bloomington, Indiana. ________ Theology: Jack Cottrell Devotional study: Max Lucado, Ken Gire, Mark Atteberry A deeper challenge: N.T. Wright, Dallas Willard Cultural study: Thom Rainer Inspiration and perhaps my all-around favorite: John Ortberg

July 30, 2015

Michael C. Mack

10 Ways to Get Out of the Way of God Building His Church

By Will Mancini Nearly 30 years ago, Joe Ellis wrote in The Church on Target: “Sometimes the voice of Jesus saying, “˜I will build my church,” can hardly be heard amid the babble of human voices affirming, “˜We will build the church. Our plans, our organizations, our resources will accomplish it, and we will have it the way we want it.”” More recently, “clarity evangelist” Will Mancini wrote similar words, describing 10 ways we often get in the way of God building his church, and what we can do about it. 1. Rely on God”s wisdom, not human wisdom by

July 30, 2015

Christian Standard

Becky Ahlberg’s Thought Leaders

We asked 35 Christian leaders, “Who is the influencer with the biggest impact on your life and ministry?” Most of these leaders listed several influential thinkers, writers, innovators, and leaders more of us should get to know. This response is from Becky Ahlberg, executive director of My Safe Harbor, Anaheim, California. ________ This was a difficult assignment. When you”ve been in the ministry for 45 years, you”ve had to do A LOT of thinking! The question also comes at an interesting time in my life when so many of the thought leaders that shaped me and my choices are either gone

July 30, 2015

Christian Standard

Mike Baker’s Thought Leaders

We asked 35 Christian leaders, “Who is the influencer with the biggest impact on your life and ministry?” Most of these leaders listed several influential thinkers, writers, innovators, and leaders more of us should get to know. This response is from Mike Baker, senior pastor with Eastview Christian Church, Normal, Illinois. ________ Two men have helped me think both as a Christian and a pastor for nearly 25 years. Both Cal Jernigan, senior pastor at Central Christian Church of Mesa, Arizona, and J.K. Jones, pastor of spiritual formation at Eastview Christian Church, Normal, Illinois, have impacted my thinking in great ways. J.K.

July 29, 2015

Christian Standard

Teresa Welch’s Thought Leaders

We asked 35 Christian leaders, “Who is the influencer with the biggest impact on your life and ministry?” Most of these leaders listed several influential thinkers, writers, innovators, and leaders more of us should get to know. This response is from Teresa Welch, professor of Christian education and ministry, Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. ________ My list will unfortunately leave out many who influence me through their pursuit of knowing and following God every single day. However, in an effort to be comprehensive, I have selected a mentor, a colleague, and an author. My mentor, Eleanor Daniel, retired academic dean and professor

July 28, 2015

Christian Standard

Todd Wilson’s Thought Leaders

We asked 35 Christian leaders, “Who is the influencer with the biggest impact on your life and ministry?” Most of these leaders listed several influential thinkers, writers, innovators, and leaders more of us should get to know. This response is from Todd Wilson, director of Exponential. ________ Multiplication, new philanthropy, personal calling: Bob Buford, cofounder, the Leadership Network Multiplication: Dave Ferguson, founding and lead pastor, Community Christian Church, Naperville, Illinois Discipleship: Dr. Robert Coleman, Distinguished Senior Professor of Discipleship and Evangelism at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary Multiplication: Ralph Moore, founding and senior pastor, Hope Chapel Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii Missional: Alan Hirsch,

July 28, 2015

Christian Standard

Aaron Wymer’s Thought Leaders

We asked 35 Christian leaders, “Who is the influencer with the biggest impact on your life and ministry?” Most of these leaders listed several influential thinkers, writers, innovators, and leaders more of us should get to know. This response is from Aaron Wymer, senior minister with Grandview Christian Church, Johnson City, Tennessee. ________ Noticeably missing from this list are my professors from Emmanuel Christian Seminary in Johnson City, Tennessee, yet they were all instrumental in forming me and pointing me in the direction I have traveled. It seemed unfair to mention one of them and not another, so I left them off

July 27, 2015

Christian Standard

Jon Weatherly’s Thought Leaders

We asked 35 Christian leaders, “Who is the influencer with the biggest impact on your life and ministry?” Most of these leaders listed several influential thinkers, writers, innovators, and leaders more of us should get to know. This response is from Jon Weatherly, professor of New Testament and dean of the School of Bible and Theology, Johnson University, Knoxville, Tennessee. ________ When I enrolled as a student at Cincinnati (Ohio) Christian University, Roy H. Mays III, then a young staff member, became a vital mentor to me, and he remained so long after I graduated. Roy lived with an exceptional generosity of mind and heart.

July 27, 2015

Christian Standard

Lori Wilhite’s Thought Leaders

We asked 35 Christian leaders, “Who is the influencer with the biggest impact on your life and ministry?” Most of these leaders listed several influential thinkers, writers, innovators, and leaders more of us should get to know. This response is from Lori Wilhite, founder of leadingandlovingit.com for pastors” wives and women in ministry, and pastor”s wife, Central Christian Church, Las Vegas, Nevada. ________ Julie Richard, senior pastor”s wife at Lake Hills Church, Austin, Texas, is my go-to parenting guru. With practical yet powerful parenting content, she has encouraged me like no other in my family life. Her insight in establishing a vision for

July 27, 2015

Christian Standard

Ruth T. Reyes’s Thought Leaders

We asked 35 Christian leaders, “Who is the influencer with the biggest impact on your life and ministry?” Most of these leaders listed several influential thinkers, writers, innovators, and leaders more of us should get to know. This response is from Ruth T. Reyes, assistant dean of the School of Creative and Performing Arts, Johnson University Florida, Kissimmee. ________ Don Tingle, my former youth minister in New York City, is an evangelist to Muslims. Don”s dedication to teaching God”s Word and investing in young people impacted my leadership style. He is a 1972 graduate of Johnson University, where I now teach. Talk

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