A Unique Transition
Pantano Christian Church planned a rare, healthy pastoral handoff—Tim Coop passing the baton to Glen Elliott—marked by careful timing, clear roles, and team leadership.
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.
January 6, 2008
Introducing . . . The Year of the Elder
Christian Standard introduces “The Year of the Elder,” a yearlong series exploring the role of elders in the 21st-century Western church and inviting readers to join the discussion through letters, submissions, and sharing the series.
January 6, 2008
To Err Is Divine: “˜Pastoring” in Biblical Perspective
Church leadership isn’t secured by titles but proven through shepherding. This piece contrasts “Tyrant” and “CEO” pastor models with New Testament care rooted in Jesus the Shepherd and expressed through accountable, grace-shaped ministry.
January 2, 2008
Interview with Lynn Anderson
Lynn Anderson discusses the calling of elders as shepherds who build trust and care for a flock. He addresses policy, authority, qualifications, women and age, and practical ways elders and staff can lead together.
December 19, 2007
Interview with Ron Scott
After decades in church planting and parachurch leadership, Ron Scott explains why church family matters, how defined roles eased a ministry transition, and what keeps him sharp while encouraging younger staff at Southpoint Community Christian Church.
December 9, 2007
Leadership in the Church
Churches need leaders, but Scripture defines greatness as serving. Doyle Roth calls believers to trade titles and status for the towel and basin—leading people to Christ through humble, practical service.
December 2, 2007
Training Second-Career Ministers: An Introduction
Six graduate-level schools share how they support nontraditional students who feel called to leave a chosen career and enter full-time church service, offering guidance for leaders considering a ministry transition.
December 2, 2007
How Hope International University Is Training Second-Career Ministers
Hope International University’s SALT program partners with local churches to create flexible, accredited five-week online courses. Churches request training topics, Hope designs the course, and an on-site mentor helps apply learning locally.
November 7, 2007
The Most Important Plan
A counselor once said confessing temptations early can prevent deeper failure. Mark A. Taylor reflects on fear, pride, and the need for trusted accountability that helps leaders grow in integrity.
November 4, 2007
Recovering from Excellence
A critique of the church’s “excellence” mantra, exploring how it can become elitist, expensive, exhausting, and divisive—and offering healthier alternatives like efficiency, patience, and inclusion.
October 28, 2007
How Should We Celebrate?
Bob Russell urges believers to celebrate what God has done without idolizing old methods or dismissing the past. The church’s power, he says, is found in Christ, the cross, and bold preaching of God’s Word.
Emerging Ministry for Emerging Churches
As larger churches add specialized ministry roles, many are hiring proven volunteers from within their own congregations. Paul Boatman explores the benefits, risks, and the need for strong partnerships between local churches and theological education.
October 7, 2007
Cultivating Church Leadership Through Internships
Church leadership internships: How internships can help churches raise up leaders from within As churches grow, leadership gaps can stall momentum. This article explains how one church developed a practical, step-by-step approach to identify potential leaders, disciple them, and progressively increase responsibility through internships. The goal is to cultivate gifts and build a healthy leadership pipeline from within the congregation. Identify leaders early and build intentional pathways for development. Use internships to formalize responsibility and increase accountability. Create a clear process that moves people from volunteer roles toward staff roles. By Kevin Stone As Christ’s Church of the Valley’s executive
September 30, 2007
You Can Manage Conflict
Change can feel like progress to some and disruption to others. Learn how one rural congregation navigated rapid transitions, differing mind-sets, and unintended consequences while working to prevent and resolve conflict.
September 30, 2007
Preaching, Prayer, and Conflict
If we want to avoid conflict, our first question should be, “What does God want us to do?” Seeking God’s guidance begins in prayer. Involving the entire congregation in praying for God’s guidance makes conflict less likely.
September 30, 2007
Conflict: Apt Words, Adequate Intervention
Lessons from Walnut Grove Christian Church on preventing and addressing congregational conflict—reducing anxiety through peer learning, valuing “apt words,” and intervening quickly with a Matthew 18 framework.
September 30, 2007
How to Resolve Conflict
Most church conflicts resolve with timely intervention, but some require firm, united leadership and church discipline. New Testament examples show both the pain and the hope of hard decisions.
September 23, 2007
NACC: It”s Time . . . to Preach
Joe Grana reflects on North American Christian Convention preaching and why the message of the cross still matters. He urges balance with media, clearer Scripture handling, and conversational delivery—while calling churches to prioritize church planting.
September 12, 2007
Interview with Ben Merold
Veteran minister Ben Merold reflects on church growth, encouraging small-church leaders, and reaching the culture without selling out. He shares practical wisdom from decades of preaching and leading Harvester Christian Church.
August 5, 2007
The Top Ten Questions for Potential Elders
A practical guide to choosing elders rooted in 1 Timothy 3:1-7. Matt Proctor offers ten questions to help congregations identify leaders with character, wisdom, and credibility—while applying biblical standards with grace.
