Articles for tag: Senior Ministers

April 4, 2017

My Read on a Surprising Remedy

By Mark A. Taylor Readers of a certain age can”t resist a bold, red headline that says, “Live Longer!” And when the caption below it promises “50 Proven Ways to Add Years to Your Life,” an almost-retired guy like me knows he wants to know more. You could probably guess several of the live-longer tips offered by the March 2017 AARP Bulletin: get your sleep, drink water, eat whole grains, exercise. But some of it is less intuitive: get rid of throw rugs (they cause falls), find a woman doctor (statistically their patients have better results), watch your grandkids (regular

January 4, 2013

Christian Standard

Church Leadership

Ages 50 to 75: The Minister”s Sweet Spot

By Brian Jones I believe pastors don”t hit their ministry “sweet spot” until they”re in their mid-50s. And if they stay engaged and growing, that sweet spot will last into their mid- to late-70s. Anyone who has ever led a church, or been led by a pastor in a church, knows this. Put another way, I believe a pastor”s personal ministry effectiveness, as defined both biblically and experientially, doesn”t reach its full potential until a pastor has grandkids and starts to get AARP letters in his mailbox. You can understand my great disappointment, then, when I read my friend Kent

June 4, 2012

Kent E. Fillinger

Church & Ministry Church Growth

Better with Time?

Research examines how senior minister age, tenure, personality, and hiring history correlate with church growth—and how optimism bias may influence leaders’ perceptions of congregational momentum.

June 4, 2012

Darrel Rowland

Church & Ministry Church Growth

Beware the Second Decade

Veteran church leaders examine statistics linking pastoral tenure and church growth, considering complacency, demographics, leadership capacity, changing congregations, and whether attendance alone can measure a ministry’s effectiveness.

November 14, 2011

Dennis Bratton

Church Leadership Leadership Development

Talking Church

Peer coaching cohorts give preachers a place to share ministry challenges, ask precise questions, exchange practical insights, and find encouragement from fellow leaders who understand the pressures they face.

April 6, 2011

Kent E. Fillinger

Church & Ministry Church Growth

God Is Giving the Increase

Kent E. Fillinger reports survey findings from 234 Christian churches and churches of Christ, highlighting attendance growth, baptisms, senior ministers, elders, and worship practices across four church-size categories.

September 15, 2010

Kent E. Fillinger

Church & Ministry Church Growth

MEDIUM-SIZED CHURCHES: Measuring Growth at Medium-sized Churches

Kent E. Fillinger reports on growth, baptisms, senior ministers, worship venues, finances, and outreach trends among 32 medium-sized Christian churches/churches of Christ.

September 8, 2010

Kent E. Fillinger

Church & Ministry Church Growth

LARGE-SIZED CHURCHES: A New Name and New Numbers

Kent E. Fillinger reports on 2009 data from large-sized Christian churches, noting slower attendance growth, increased baptisms, younger senior ministers, worship venue trends, multisite ministry, and finances.

September 20, 2009

Kent E. Fillinger

Church Leadership Pastoral Transitions & Succession

MEDIUM-SIZED CHURCHES: The Leadership Factor

Kent E. Fillinger examines how senior minister age and tenure affect church growth and urges leaders to face succession planning, delayed retirements, and crucial conversations with courage.

September 13, 2009

Kent Fillinger

Church & Ministry Church Growth

MEDIUM-SIZED CHURCHES: The 2008 List

Kent Fillinger and Ben Simms introduce Christian Standard’s 2008 Medium-Sized Churches chart, featuring survey data from 66 churches averaging 500-999 in worship attendance.