3 WOMEN IN MINISTRY: ‘There’s Nothing I’d Rather Do!’
Debbie Jones reflects on her calling to ministry, the expectations women often face, and the ways churches can encourage women to develop and use their gifts to build up Christ’s church.
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.
Christian Colleges, 2005-06 (chart)
Click here to access a pdf of the 2006 Christian College Chart.
Listening and Learning
Phil LeMaster reflects on early ministry missteps and the lasting value of learning from seasoned preachers. He shares five practical lessons—from discipline and servanthood to prayer, availability, and embracing interruptions as God’s opportunities.
MEGACHURCHES: The Coach in the Pulpit
A college coaching analogy frames the pressures on megachurch senior ministers, the dynamics of icon culture, and research on tenure and growth. The article argues churches should begin succession planning earlier to ensure healthier transitions.
MEGACHURCH PROFILE: Pantano Christian Church
Pantano Christian Church in Tucson has pursued a multi-year pastoral transition plan while shifting to collaborative leadership, expanding small groups, and launching church-planting efforts locally and internationally.
March 19, 2006
The Times They Are A-Changin’
After 35+ years in local ministry, Phil LeMaster surveys how busyness, shifting church “brand” loyalty, worship changes, staffing growth, and bigger facilities have reshaped preaching—while reminding us people still need Jesus.
March 12, 2006
The Chairman of the Elders
What is the chairman of the elders—and what is he not? Gary Fait reflects on rotating leadership, church authority, and why the chairman’s role should be defined by service, not superiority.
March 12, 2006
Humility in Leadership
Hardship can reshape spiritual leaders—restoring humility, tenderizing compassion, and deepening dependence on God. Greg Marksberry reflects on how suffering can recalibrate a leader’s heart toward Christlike service and lasting impact.
March 8, 2006
The Truth About Elders and Ministers
Disconnected comments can reveal a lot about how elders and ministers relate. Mark A. Taylor contrasts unhealthy patterns with a better path marked by mutual respect, shared accountability, and stronger leadership.
March 5, 2006
Trading Potential for Passion
In this excerpt from Trading Places, Steve Wyatt shows how Jesus shaped John’s passion into steadfast love—affirming uniqueness, rejecting manipulation, and modeling servant leadership that calls people to grow within an atmosphere of acceptance.
March 5, 2006
Our Acorn-to-Oak Story
John Faust reflects on four early elders at Southeast Christian Church and the leadership qualities that helped lay a lasting foundation—quality, trust, unity, and availability—for the church’s growth in Louisville.
February 19, 2006
Confessions of a Reluctant Servant
Jesus doesn’t oppose greatness—he redefines it. Dave Smith reflects on Mark 8 and Mark 10, showing how true greatness is lived through servanthood, sacrifice, and daily faithfulness when ministry includes suffering.
February 15, 2006
What”s So Important?
A youth-group story about taking work too seriously leads to a challenge for church leaders. Barna survey results highlight a gap between what pastors believe about members’ priorities and what members report.
January 4, 2006
Interview with Floyd Strater
Veteran preacher Floyd Strater reflects on Scripture memorization, his first sermon, years of evangelistic travel, and the biggest changes he’s seen in church life—plus how California stretched his ministry.
December 11, 2005
Committed to Coaching
Coaching helped Bob Harrington lead through early church-planting heartbreak and grow as a leader. Learn what ministerial coaching is, how it serves planters and staff, and how Church Coaching Solutions trains coaches for Restoration Movement leaders.
December 11, 2005
Why Ministers Need a Coach
Coaching helps ministers move forward with clarity, courage, and accountability. Ken Gosnell explains why pastors need a coach to navigate isolation, prioritize wisely, and model continual growth—because even champions don’t thrive without one.
December 7, 2005
Helping Preachers Set a Higher Standard
Standard Publishing introduces Preaching Standard, an online subscription service offering complete sermons, fresh illustrations, news bits, statistics, and book reviews—updated weekly and searchable, with an introductory price and a free 30 day trial.
November 23, 2005
Ideas and Ideals for Leaders on the High Dive
By Jon Weece Risk. Freedom to fail. Dream big. Think outside the box. Try again. These words are frequently spoken by leaders at Southland Christian Church, Lexington, Kentucky. We like these words and others””like creative, innovative, daring, and even crazy””because they make us take deep breaths, cause our hearts to race, and make us swallow hard. These types of words keep us up at night and drive us to our knees. Leaders at Southland are not afraid of climbing the high dive. We like to take risks; we”ve come to realize that fear is a great faith-builder for our team.
November 13, 2005
Dealing with Distractions
When distractions and criticism threaten to pull you off mission, Nehemiah’s example offers a steady reminder: stay on the wall. Learn to set higher priorities, eliminate what isn’t best, and keep your focus on God’s work.
November 6, 2005
Live Your Dream
Using the Tour de France and Nehemiah’s wall-building mission, this reflection highlights teamwork, shared purpose, passionate effort, and the power of specific encouragement in leadership.
