What I’ve Learned from Flannery O’Connor about Preaching and Ministry
After reading the letters of Flannery O'Connor, Jeff Dye shares what he has learned about preaching, ministry, and life.
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.
Unbeknownst to Me
Even when your efforts are unbeknownst to others, the Lord knows. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (Hebrews 6:10).
How Important Is Theology for Your Church … Really?
RENEW.org is offering a Certificate in Theology (CIT) program that can offer transfer credits to students who desire to pursue Bible college or university degrees.
Is There a Vision?
People need to experience purpose in their relationship with Christ and effective leaders must set goals that reflect their vision for the church in creating that purpose.
The Power of Preaching Comes from God
We need to let God control the message. The power in preaching doesn’t come from the packaging or presentation, it comes from God.
Elders Leading on a Mission
Every local church is on a mission, but when mission drift occurs, the church’s elders must make a course correction.
The Challenge and Hope of Vocational Ministry
The words challenge and hope describe well the focus of this issue. Ministry can be hard. And discouraging. But we stick with it because of hope—hope in whom we serve, and hope in the work to which he has called us.
The Power of Repetition
One of the most significant things I learned over the course of more than four decades of preaching in the local church is people don’t need to be taught something new as much as they need to be reminded of what they already know.
March 2, 2025
Is There a Leader?
Our ability to grow is directly related to our ability to endure pain. Leaders are change agents that move their church in the direction of growth, helping them to overcome the pain of it.
March 2, 2025
Staying Strong in Ministry Leadership
Who are those currently surrounding you and infusing you with strength? Such strengthening angels will be able to assure you that you have been called, that you are loved and that you are kept by the grace of God.
December 31, 2024
Leading Like Jesus
To lead like Jesus is first and foremost to make a deep commitment to personal formation. It emerges from followership and the fruit of the Spirit of God within us.
December 31, 2024
Preach with the Wisdom God Provides
Regardless of how effective we might be in creating emotional responses, it’s the preaching of God’s Word that helps people make deep and meaningful connections with God that leads to life change.
December 31, 2024
Leadership Development: Lessons from Churches Around the World
Churches around the world have a variety of methods for leadership training, even in the midst of persecution. We may be able to learn from them.
December 31, 2024
Churches Stepping Up: How Local Churches Are Developing Elders
It’s time to hand the keys of leadership to the next generation of elders and watch them accomplish more for our King’s kingdom than we ever thought possible.
December 31, 2024
Healthy Churches Produce Healthy Leaders
leaders can evaluate four vital signs that speak to the health of the local church: Students, Statements, Struggles, and Statistics.
December 31, 2024
Thoughts on Leadership
There's no shortage of people wearing the leadership badge, but are they true leaders? Without a leader casting a vision, a church can find itself in turbulent waters.
December 31, 2024
Where Do We Go from Here?
We’re all interim leaders and at some point retirement is inevitable. Therefore, church elders and boards should be proactive to ensure a healthy, smooth pastoral transition.
December 31, 2024
Filling the Leadership Void
In addition to praying for harvest workers (Matthew 9:38), David Faust offers several suggestions for addressing the church’s leadership shortage.
December 31, 2024
A Time of Refreshing
When Bob Russell retired from his stellar 40-year ministry with Southeast Christian Church, he created a unique retreat to encourage those who serve as lead ministers in their congregations.
December 30, 2024
We Have Been There Before
God has helped us in ages past, and he won’t forsake us in the new year ahead.
