How to Communicate with Excellence
Tony Jeary shares practical guidance for Christians who want to communicate with clarity, confidence, and purpose in small groups, classes, worship settings, and everyday conversations.
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.
How to Listen to a Sermon
By Brian Mavis SHARE THIS ARTICLE WITH EVERYONE IN YOUR CHURCH. (DETAILS BELOW.) Â Â Â One hundred times more people will hear a sermon this week than preach one. So why are there thousands of articles, books, and classes on how to preach a message, but virtually none on how to listen to one? It”s because most people think listening just comes naturally. But that”s not what Jesus thought. Jesus said to “consider carefully how you listen” (Luke 8:18). The state and fate of your life depends on how you listen. Teachers are responsible for teaching well, but you
June 21, 2009
Finding Your Focus
Glen Elliott reflects on how churches can discover clarity, simplicity, and freedom by saying “no” to good programs so they can say “yes” to their God-given mission.
Leaders Are the Key
Larry Travis and Tim Wallingford identify four leadership challenges facing small- and medium-size churches: unclear roles, conflict, lack of training, and the struggle to embrace biblical vision.
Much More Important Than Money
Mark A. Taylor reflects on how church committees, elders, and ministry boards can avoid poor group dynamics by asking better questions and clarifying their purpose.
April 19, 2009
Megachurches: An Interview with Three Megachurch Ministers
Kent Fillinger asks three megachurch pastors to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing their congregations and large churches in general.
Your Vision”“and Ours
Mark A. Taylor explains why Christian Standard devotes a special issue to megachurches while urging churches to pursue their own God-given vision instead of copying others.
April 8, 2009
Exciting Times, Hopeful Times, Times to Be a Blessing
Mark A. Taylor reflects on how difficult economic times can become an opportunity for churches to lead with creativity, pastoral care, teaching, and trust in God.
March 15, 2009
Spiritual Formation as Leadership Development
Bill Weber urges Bible colleges and seminaries to make spiritual formation intentional, developing Christian character through curriculum, faculty mentoring, spiritual disciplines, and a campus culture centered on discipleship.
March 8, 2009
WEB EXTRA: A Time of Cutbacks, But a Season of Opportunities
Ben Cachiaras challenges church leaders to meet economic cutbacks with unity, creativity, pastoral care, prayer, bold vision, and renewed trust in God’s promises.
February 15, 2009
Great Leaders Are Broken
Glen Elliott reflects on learning that effective Christian leadership requires more than strength, competence, and drive. True influence grows through brokenness, dependence, vulnerability, and trust.
February 8, 2009
How Our Church Uses Elder Governance
Gary L. Johnson describes how Elder Governance helped The Creek create a healthier church structure by focusing elders on policy, pastoral care, doctrine, and prayer.
February 8, 2009
Why I No Longer Dread Elder Meetings
Randy Nation explains how Policy Governance helped Woodford Community Christian Church clarify elder responsibilities, empower staff leadership, and refocus the eldership on shepherding the congregation.
January 14, 2009
Interview with LeRoy Lawson
Roy Lawson explains how wide-ranging reading has shaped his preaching, writing, leadership, and lifelong ministry—and why church leaders should keep filling their souls and minds.
December 23, 2008
A Picture of the Elders in Our Churches, Part Two
Readers responding to Christian Standard’s Year of the Elder survey highlighted ongoing needs for elders, including conflict management, stronger shepherding, and more intentional training.
December 21, 2008
Wanted: Good Men for a Fine Work (Part 2)
Eric Stevens examines the public and congregational qualities of elders, showing how mature leaders demonstrate integrity, hospitality, teaching ability, and faithful stewardship in the church.
December 14, 2008
Wanted: Good Men for a Fine Work (Part 1)
Eric Stevens explains why eldership is a “fine work” and why Paul’s qualifications describe spiritually mature leaders whose character is evident in personal and family life.
December 10, 2008
A Picture of the Elders in Our Churches, Part One: posted 12/10/2008
Mark A. Taylor reports results from Christian Standard’s Elders Survey, highlighting how churches select elders, how often elders meet, and the continuing need for shepherding support.
December 7, 2008
The Looming Christian College Crisis
Doug Gibson urges churches to reconsider their financial support for Christian colleges, warning that rising costs may keep future ministers, missionaries, and leaders from receiving needed training.
November 16, 2008
Elders & Ministers: Speaking the Same Language
Healthy elder-minister relationships help churches lead with trust, humility, shared vision, and spiritual focus. Darrel Rowland highlights growing churches where leaders work together well.
