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.

July 13, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Sean Palmer

SEAN PALMER Lead minister, The Vine, Temple, Texas Sean Palmer is a preacher and an author. He is an advocate for many great endeavors. He loves Jesus. He loves Jesus” people. He loves his wife and his two beautiful daughters. And, yes, Sean Palmer is my friend. But none of that is what makes Sean one of the “40 Leaders Under 40″ being profiled here. No, what makes Sean a man to watch is that he is dangerous. Sean is unafraid to speak the truth. He”ll speak it in love, but he will not pull punches. He is brave and

July 13, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Daniel Overdorf

DANIEL OVERDORF Dean of the School of Congregational Ministry and professor of preaching, Johnson University, Knoxville, Tennessee I have known Daniel Overdorf since helping his family move to Knoxville decades ago when his father became minister of the Woodlawn Christian Church. Daniel was a preschooler then, and many remember him as a mischievous little boy. That might surprise many who know him now as gentle, kind, and always with a welcoming smile. As dean of the School of Congregational Ministry and professor of preaching, he exercises leadership through his commitment to the centrality of preaching in the life of the

July 12, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Rachel Oblon

RACHEL OBLON Missional life pastor, Parkcrest Christian Church, Long Beach, California Rachel may be one of the best young leaders you have not yet heard about, but my guess is your children will remember her if they”ve been to Christ In Youth conferences. They have been moved by her stories, conviction, and passion as they”ve heard her speak over the past several years. What they don”t get to hear about are the ways this young woman, who is barely 30, influences a church of people who are mostly older than she. She leads with humility, coupled with a conviction of

July 12, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: T.D. Oakes

T.D. OAKES Worship arts pastor, Mission Church, Ventura, California Patient. Friend. Servant. Kind. Caring. Creative. Generous. Consistent. Shepherd. Humble. Developer. Fully present. Party waiting to happen. Super talented. Jack-of-all-trades. Includer. I have known T.D. since I was 18 years old, and have been privileged to call him friend for more than 16 years. And each of the above words fits him perfectly. We”ve worked together, laughed together, cried together, prayed together, served together, given together, sacrificed together, dreamed together, learned about parenting together, baptized friends together, tried to become better husbands together, moved together, planted a church together . .

July 11, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Justin Miller

JUSTIN MILLER Lead pastor,  Real Life Christian Church,  Clermont, Florida If you asked Justin Miller how he plans to influence ministry in the coming years, he”d likely shrug his shoulders and respond quizzically, “I don”t really know. I guess we”ll just keep doing what we”ve been doing.” And precisely what have Justin and Real Life Christian Church been doing? Well, over the past dozen years, Justin and the Real Life team have sensed a call to revitalize declining””or downright dead “”churches through an endeavor they call Vision Orlando. It started with their home campus in Clermont, where Justin grew up and

July 11, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Erin McDade

ERIN McDADE Assistant director of emester in Ministry/storyteller,  Mountain Christian Church, Joppa, Maryland Someone has said leadership is essentially influence. Another axiom is that leadership boils down to character. Erin McDade embodies both at once! Her powerful influence flows out of her genuine love of Jesus and other people. The result is a contagious spirit that brings life to others. Her sincerity and authentic joy overflow in a way that is infectious to any team. Her insights deepen discussion; her people skills help a team move forward. When a person brightens the room and strengthens the gifts of others on

July 10, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Genilyn McCaffrey

GENILYN McCAFFREY Professor of worship ministry,  Manhattan Christian College,  Manhattan, Kansas I can remember sitting in Genilyn”s interview for the worship faculty position at Manhattan Christian College. I asked what she wanted to be known for in the years ahead. Her answer was very clear and concise, “I want my students to be known as theologians, pastors, and artists; and in that order.” She continued, “Too often we find someone who is good artistically, and cut them loose to lead worship. As a result, the depth of the overall quality of worship is lacking, and I want the students I send out

July 10, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Ethan Magness

ETHAN MAGNESS Pastor of spiritual formation and director of Semester in Ministry, Mountain Christian Church, Joppa, Maryland Ethan Magness is difficult to describe. He was a math major and an athlete (swimmer). He is an intellectual and he pours himself into people by throwing parties. He really isn”t into sports but annually joins our NCAA basketball brackets contest and almost always finishes in the top three. As pastor of spiritual formation, Ethan is a gifted teacher who launched GrowingU at Mountain Christian Church to teach Scripture and discipleship, but he focuses on training small group leaders and teachers rather than

July 9, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Greg Lee

GREG LEE Lead pastor,  Suncrest Christian,  St. John, Indiana Having been privileged to know and serve side-by-side with Greg from his senior year at Lincoln Christian University through 2005, I feel I know this leading servant, and I certainly value highly his many contributions to the kingdom of God. A Christian leader and lover of his family””exemplary. A son and father who invests generously in his family and keeps his priorities balanced and guardrails in place””yes. A man of consistent, godly character””solid as a rock. A pastor characterized by patience and incarnated compassion””totally. A colleague who respects his leaders and

July 9, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Abhijeet Lall

ABHIJEET LALL Director of the children”s ministry, Central India Christian Mission Abhijeet Lall works with Central India Christian Mission (CICM) as director of its children”s ministry. Abhijeet loves working with the youth in India. Just 23, Abhijeet has a high connectivity factor with young people. Sixty-five percent of India”s population is under 25 years old. Abhijeet”s challenge is to present the gospel in a way that communicates to India”s youth in an attractive way. Abhijeet and his wife, Katie, are currently investing all their energy in reaching the millions of unreached youth in India through the children”s ministry. Abhijeet is

July 8, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Kurt Kuykendall

KURT KUYKENDALL Pastor, Westcoast Christian Church, Surrey, British Columbia Determined, diligent, and faithful are words that come to mind as I consider the ministry of Kurt Kuykendall””and he”s just getting started! Kurt grew up in a small town in northern Alberta but felt called to serve in the “big city” of Toronto. In his first full-time ministry, Kurt served with me as a youth minister and then felt called to serve on the launch staff of a new church plant I was undertaking in Greater Toronto. This was quite a project and a huge step of faith for this young,

July 8, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Caleb Kaltenbach

CALEB KALTENBACH Dallas, Texas Caleb Kaltenbach shares attributes with many of his fine young peers from across the country: strong preaching and teaching skills, motivational leadership, focused energy, and gentle humility. As to his unique influence, I believe there are two items. First, Caleb has a distinctive and well-thought-out philosophy for biblical education and ministry preparation. He has made a strong commitment to living this out through teaching ministry courses to college students and making use of ministry interns a high priority. As a board member for Dallas Christian College, he brings a high level of constructive engagement relating to the spiritual

July 7, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Kyle Idleman

KYLE IDLEMAN Teaching pastor,  Southeast Christian Church,  Louisville, Kentucky Kyle Idleman is a young man with some amazing talents. His influence is widespread both within and outside our fellowship of Christian churches. I am blessed to get to share the preaching responsibilities at Southeast Christian with Kyle. His preaching feeds and inspires. His first book, Not a Fan, became a best seller and his new release, Gods at War, is encouraging thousands of readers. Although his preaching ability along with his writing and video teachings are what most people note about Kyle, I am even more appreciative of his unswerving

July 7, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Jordan Howerton

JORDAN HOWERTON Jordan Howerton Band Jordan Howerton is on a worship mission. Jordan grew up in the church, the son and grandson of preachers. Leading others to the feet of Christ in worship came naturally. As leader of the Jordan Howerton Band, Jordan has been serving the church for more than six years. While the band is emerging as one of the nation”s most sought after, authentic, and energetic worship bands, what sets Jordan on a path of influence as a leader is easy to identify. To Jordan, leading, singing, writing, playing, and recording are not achievement arts. They are

July 7, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Melissa Hofmeister

MELISSA HOFMEISTER Assistant director of networks and recruiting, Stadia Melissa Hofmeister has emerged as a leader within the church, while keeping her roles as Christ follower, wife, and mom as priorities. In the coming years, her influence on the Christian church will reach far and wide as she connects high-capacity, world-changing leaders to more than 45 Stadia church plants in the United States and Latin America. She”ll influence Muskego, Wisconsin, as God uses Melissa and her husband to transform lives through the new church they just planted. And most importantly, she will influence the mission field of the three boys

July 6, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Jodi Hickerson

JODI HICKERSON Programming director,  Mission Church,  Ventura, California  I am so grateful to have experienced Jodi”s influence both from the pulpit and around the fire pit in her backyard. Her words, wisdom, and direction have restored, lifted, healed, and literally changed my life. When Jodi teaches, she commands a room, not because she demands it but because she speaks with grace and humility “”whether to a crowd of one or thousands. Jodi has an authentic way of taking the message of the Word of God and making it accessible to people, and her exceptional creativity helps her meet people right

July 6, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Justine Hayes

JUSTINE HAYES Missionary serving with CMF International My first dealings with Justine were through e-mail. Justine works with Missions of Hope in Kenya. Our church was planning a mission trip to the slums outside Nairobi, and Justine was our contact person. I assumed she was a retired woman who had moved to Kenya to help the mission there. A few months later I was in Kenya to attend a Christian Missionary Fellowship board meeting. Imagine my surprise when someone knocked on our cabin door as my roommate and I were settling in for the night. The visitor was to be

July 6, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Amy Hanson

AMY HANSON Speaker, writer, and consultant When I first heard about Amy Hanson, I had to ask twice to be certain my unreliable hearing hadn”t deceived me. She”s the 50s-plus ministry director? At the huge Central Christian Church in Las Vegas? And she”s how old? Yes, I had heard it right. She was not yet 30 and was in charge of a megachurch”s older adult programming. Dr. Amy Hanson is one of the most dynamic young leaders among us. You don”t have to take my word for it. You can check out Amy”s blog at amyhanson.org, where you”ll find her addressing

July 5, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Rich Gorman & Dori Gorman

RICH GORMAN & DORI GORMAN Campus pastors,  Community Christian Church,  Edgewater, Illinois My former students Rich and Dori Gorman are an extraordinary pastoral couple with outstanding leadership gifts and a passion to reach urban people via the church. Their marriage and family are models for young couples and families. They are on the cutting edge of missional church planting and are creating a new model for new church development that reaches people who live in the margins. They are all about relationships and helping to empower people to find their gifts so every person is able to figure out his or

July 5, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Daron Earlewine

DARON EARLEWINE Pub Theology,  Indianapolis, Indiana Daron Earlewine is a remarkable voice in the arena of Christian witness outside the walls of the church. His ministry is called Pub Theology. The very name of his style of gospel presentation is challenging to most all the church people of my age, that being almost 80. His heart was challenged by observing 20- and 30-year-olds in Bosnia who were seeking fellowship and Jesus in a nonformalized setting. Daron has a fertile mind, a free spirit, and an absolute commitment to preaching the gospel. He is and will continue to have a positive influence on

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