The Ministry Pipeline | Christian Standard, January/February 2022 examines a growing leadership challenge facing independent Christian churches and churches of Christ: how to identify, train, support, and send enough biblically grounded ministers, preachers, church planters, and church leaders for the future. The cover theme is reinforced throughout the issue with reporting, analysis, and practical ministry reflection centered on the preacher pipeline, college training, leadership development, and pastoral health.
Jerry Harris opens the issue with “The Invisible Renaissance,” highlighting visible signs of church growth and evangelism while warning that leadership development has not kept pace. Michael C. Mack’s editorial then frames the pipeline problem as a challenge the whole church must help solve. The issue’s major feature package explores the shortage of ministry graduates, the aging of current lead ministers, message drift, church planter origins, alternatives to traditional training, recruitment, and the pressures causing pastors to leave ministry. Chris Moon’s investigative report on Restoration Movement colleges anchors the issue, while Kent E. Fillinger, Mark Scott, Seana Scott, Justin Horey, John Whittaker, Kevin Stone, and Jim Nieman expand the conversation.
In addition to the pipeline theme, the issue includes practical articles on doubt, ministry perseverance, intercultural ministry residencies, marriage, preaching in dry seasons, and leadership development for elders. Together, The Ministry Pipeline | Christian Standard, January/February 2022 offers an important snapshot of the opportunities and strains facing church leadership at the start of 2022.
