October 23, 2010
A Challenge for All of Us
Mark A. Taylor reflects on how a church “Preacher Boys Club” helped shape future ministers and invites readers to encourage one young person toward vocational Christian service.
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.
October 22, 2010
The Best Preparation Possible
Tracy Marx and Mike Sweeney make a biblical and practical case for Christian higher education as preparation for thoughtful, grounded, and faithful kingdom service.
John Russell Retires
John Russell retired after 40 years as senior minister of Lakeside Christian Church in Lakeside Park, Kentucky, where he began serving the congregation in 1970 at age 23.
October 21, 2010
This is Everybody”s Job (an Interview with Bob Russell)
Bob Russell talks with Dean Collins about recruiting kingdom workers, encouraging future preachers, and helping parents and churches call young people toward ministry and Bible college training.
The Just One Challenge
Bob Russell and college presidents urge churches to pray for future kingdom workers through the Just One Challenge, a Matthew 9:38 initiative calling believers to recruit and encourage new ministers.
October 19, 2010
As We Publish Our Hiring Articles
Mark A. Taylor reflects on a young minister’s painful transition and urges churches to follow careful hiring procedures that clarify expectations before calling a new minister.
October 19, 2010
Extending the Call
Don Anderson outlines the final steps in hiring a new minister, from compensation preparation and preclosing calls to extending the offer, negotiating openly, and welcoming the new staff member.
October 12, 2010
The Behaviorally Based Interview
David Limiero explains how behaviorally based interviewing can help church search teams evaluate ministry candidates through past behavior, personal involvement, and evidence of faithful leadership.
Checking References of Ministerial Candidates
Brent Storms shares three ministry hiring lessons about reference checks, candidate strengths and weaknesses, and why churches should use a broader process when evaluating staff and church-planting candidates.
How to Get Started Selecting a New Minister
Thomas F. Jones Jr. outlines how elders and church leaders can approach hiring a new minister with prayer, clarity, integrity, and a thoughtful recruitment process.
September 26, 2010
2010 NACC: The Why Behind Our Ministry Mistakes
Vince Antonucci explains why ministry mistakes often trace back to a lack of self-awareness—and how leaders can better understand their background, personality, talents, and blind spots.
September 23, 2010
2010 NACC: An Uncommon Leader
Tony Dungy shared uncommon leadership principles at the North American Christian Convention, showing how perseverance, service, and caring for people can shape leadership in football and in life.
Answering the Challenge for Bible Materials in Spanish
Jon and Kathy Underwood created La Palabra de Cristo to translate and publish Spanish Bible training resources for missionaries, churches, and leaders connected with Colombian Christian Mission.
August 25, 2010
A Heart for God
Michael Mack reflects on leadership that begins in close fellowship with God, showing how prayer, solitude, devotional life, and remaining with Jesus shape leaders who overflow into others.
August 25, 2010
Why Some Corporate Practices Should Have a Home in the Church
Pastoral Professionalism and Christian Ministry J. Andrew Keith argues that Christian leaders need not choose between faithful service and professional excellence. While churches are not corporations, ministers and elders can reclaim sound leadership practices as expressions of stewardship, mission, and service to Christ. Christian ministry should reject a false choice between professionalism and service. Churches should pursue excellence, accountability, and wise stewardship in staffing and programming. Strategic thinking can help congregations communicate the gospel clearly to their communities. By J. Andrew Keith (with Chris Keith) Several years ago, popular Christian writer John Piper warned ministers about the dangers of professionalism1.
August 25, 2010
Eight Ways to Be a More Positive Leader
Victor M. Parachin offers eight practical ways to practice positive leadership that inspires loyalty, develops people, shows respect, gives generously, accepts responsibility, and leads with humor.
August 18, 2010
Prophetic Lessons for the 21st-Century Christian Leader (Part 2)
©Standard Publishing Christian Leadership Commitments from Jeremiah’s Call Edward Sanders reflects on Jeremiah’s call to show how Christian leaders today can make commitments rooted in trust, discipline, Christ-centered ministry, God’s authority, perseverance, and disciple-making purpose. The article connects Jeremiah’s difficult prophetic calling with the responsibilities of church leaders who serve under God’s authority. Christian leaders must place their complete trust in God alone. God’s discipline, authority, and presence shape authentic leadership. Jeremiah’s call points leaders toward Christ-centered, disciple-making ministry. (This is part 2 of a 2-part article.) By Edward Sanders The calling of Christian leaders today is different and more
August 11, 2010
Prophetic Lessons for the 21st-Century Christian Leader (Part 1)
Edward Sanders reflects on Jeremiah’s prophetic calling and challenges Christian leaders to define success by faithfulness to God rather than numbers, growth, or cultural approval.
August 1, 2010
Interview with Derek Lauer
Derek Lauer reflects on pastoral ministry, stress, burnout, loneliness, vulnerability, and the essential role elders play in supporting ministers through difficult seasons.
August 1, 2010
Avoiding Burnout, Surviving Burnout
Christian leaders can resist burnout by breaking patterns of personal obligation, self-sacrifice, self-abuse, and isolation while pursuing healthier rhythms for long-term ministry.
