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 28, 2021
A comparison of Lifeway Research studies from 2015 and 2021 indicates that, despite the challenges of COVID-19, there has been virtually no change in the number of evangelical and historically Black Protestant senior pastors leaving the pulpit each year.
October 27, 2021
The Christian Church Leadership Network wants to help churches find a better way to transition from one pastor to the next. The organization has developed a working relationship with Interim Pastor Ministries, which supplies experienced interim pastors to churches who are searching for their next leaders.
September 16, 2021
A committee devoted to strengthening the elderships of our churches formed in 1942 and sponsored a series of columns in Christian Standard throughout 1943. As part of their introductory article, they shared an “Elder’s Achievement Chart” that most elders should find interesting.
September 14, 2021
Part 3 of 3: What the Bible Says About Deaconesses — The evidence is disputed, but I believe women did and do serve in this capacity—often without the title.
September 7, 2021
Part 2 of 3: Who to Select and How They Should Function — Four scriptural texts help shape our understanding . . .
September 1, 2021
In the Aftermath of Several High-Profile Leadership Failures . . . 5 Strategies to Protect the Integrity of the Church
September 1, 2021
During COVID-19, church leaders experienced change, loss, and pain. Those who remained steadfast in their approach by setting goals and persevering ultimately made it through.
September 1, 2021
Why are so many Christian leaders falling? In a blog post on Crosswalk.com, pastor, professor, and writer James Emery White suggests three explanations: the celebration of ability over character, an eradication of accountability, and the fact that leaders today are often put on a pedestal and believe the press reports about themselves. White’s assessment seems accurate, but I believe there’s a deeper cause underneath these reasons. It’s a heart issue (see Matthew 15:8, 18-19; Ephesians 4:18; etc.) and a sovereignty issue. For many years in my teaching and one-on-one discipleship I’ve used a graphic developed by Campus Crusade for Christ,
September 1, 2021
Before I went to theological college to train for the ministry, I worked in a Christian bookstore. My official role was to manage the music department. It was a fun job that allowed me to play the latest Christian music over the store’s sound system. This usually led to a tug-of-war between me and Hazel, the bookstore’s manager. Hazel liked the music soft; I liked the music loud. In fairness to Hazel, she liked to be able to converse with customers without having to yell. I thought turning the bookstore into a dance floor would stimulate more music sales. Of
September 1, 2021
As I look back over 50 years in ministry, my wife and I have been blessed in so many ways. We have had the opportunity to serve in churches of all sizes with staff members and elders who love God. We’ve had some difficult situations and struggles, but most of our experiences have been positive. Watching lives change as people accept Jesus has been a great joy. By far, my greatest reward in ministry has been seeing all of my children and grandchildren become Christ followers. All three of my children are in full-time ministry and several of my grandchildren
September 1, 2021
I’m sure every preacher can think of a time when they were convinced God had given them a life-changing, church-altering message. I’m talking about a message born out of significant time alone with God and his Word. I’m referring to a message that grew inside of the preacher’s heart for some time as the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, led them into all truth. I remember a weekend like that at the church I serve. I was convinced my message that week had a special anointing from God. I believed it was a message that could change lives as
September 1, 2021
All Christians are called to ministry, and the place of that ministry is not always behind a pulpit. For example, my sister’s ministry is to serve new brides by helping them pick their wedding dress. This might seem like a silly thing to call a ministry, but it involves much more than a dress. When she works with a bride, she listens to their desires and makes them feel comfortable. More than that—my sister is helping the brides feel beautiful in their own skin. She tells them of their worth because they are created in the image of God. This
September 1, 2021
In his book Disciple, Juan Carlos Ortiz says the greatest problem facing the church today is “the perpetual childhood of the believer.” The fact that most of our churches are made up of spiritually immature believers is a major issue to the church fulfilling her mission. This extreme lack of spiritual development continually cripples the dynamic advancement of our churches. We will never take our cities for Christ if the vast number of our people remain at a “kindergarten” level of spiritual growth and maturity. This deep and widespread problem can be attributed, more than anything else, to the lack
August 31, 2021
Part 1 of 3: What Deacons Are and Do — To some, the term "deacon" is a signpost of an outdated model of ministry. Let's reexamine the biblical material . . .
July 1, 2021
The title “first lady” instantly brings to my mind images of Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump. But in many churches of Christ and Christian churches, the first lady is the woman married to the pastor.
A primary responsibility among leaders should be to successfully handle conflict and the disunity it can so easily create.
In over 50 years in ministry, here are some things I have learned about leading a church or any other organization.
Have you ever excitedly run your flag up the flagpole of ideas, only to have nobody salute? It’s not a pleasant experience.
Briefs from e2:effective elders, churches in Ohio and North Carolina, Ozark Christian College, Kentucky Christian University, and Milligan University. Also, a new student edition of the Core 52 book.
Twenty years or so after stepping down as editor of Christian Standard, Edwin Hayden penned this reminiscence of four gentlemen who had helped and encouraged him during his career: W.H. Book, P.H. Welshimer, Toyoza W. Nakarai, and W.R. Walker.
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June 10, 2026
Dr. Amanda Porter
June 9, 2026
Rick Cherok
June 9, 2026
David Faust