With limited resources of people, funds, and time, how can churches sort through ideas to discover the next step God is inviting them to take? Kenda Creasy Dean uses the “How-Now-Wow” exercise as a framework to sort and prioritize ideas. While “How” ideas are “moonshots,” “Now” ideas are easy-to-implement but with modest impact. “Wow” ideas [...] The post Holy Innovation: A Framework for Choosing Your Next Ministry Idea first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership....| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
If there are internal conflicts within your worshipping community, will others want to worship at your church? Pastor Andreá Cummings invites us to consider the importance of internal spiritual health that is required for there to be any hope of numerical or missional outreach vitality. She suggests three possibilities for church leaders to consider if [...] The post Congregational Vitality Begins with An Inward Journey first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The post Congregat...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
How do young people learn and practice generosity? Meredith McNabb of the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving believes generosity can be taught to young people through example, practice, and reflection. Faith leaders can model giving, offer opportunities to practice generosity, and engage in meaningful conversations about its value. By celebrating stories of generosity and [...] The post Helping Children Practice Generosity first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The post Helping C...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Margaret Marcuson encourages pastors to reflect deeply on their own motivations, habits, and beliefs around giving, including influences from upbringing and current practices. By understanding their own stance, pastors can more authentically and effectively support their congregations in developing thoughtful, faith-based approaches to giving. This article was originally published on September 28, 2011. The information [...] The post Being a Stewardship Leader Requires Clarity first appeared ...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
How can congregations engage men in ways that challenge cultural norms of masculinity? Sean Harvey’s journey began with a transformative experience at work, where he was encouraged to lead from his heart. This catalyzed his mission to support men in healing and rediscovering purpose through the Warrior Compassion Institute. He empowers faith communities to engage [...] The post Engaging Men While Challenging Cultural Norms of Masculinity: An In-depth Interview with Sean Harvey first appeare...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Bishop Emmanuel Sinzohagera tells of a leadership lesson he learned shortly after his recent election to the episcopacy that made his leadership more fruitful as he practiced “outside to inside” thinking. Shortly after my election as a bishop in the United Methodist Church, I learned a new concept in a class that is part of [...] The post A Leadership Lesson I Used Immediately first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The post A Leadership Lesson I Used Immediately appeared fi...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Attorney Holly Hollman of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC) cautions churches and nonprofits about partisan political actions and endorsements, even with recent changes to the administration of the IRS regulation that has forbidden tax-exempt entities from such activity. The BJC, founded in 1936, carries on the historic Baptist focus on separation of| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
In today’s polarized climate, church leaders can navigate political tensions by preaching principles, not politics. David R. Brubaker says leaders should share personal convictions with humility and clarity, focusing on values like caring for the marginalized, nonviolence, and stewardship of the earth. In the most unorthodox political season since I started paying attention to politics [...] The post Preaching Our Principles—Not Our Politics first appeared on Lewis Center for Church L...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Churches often see their circumstance through the lens of scarcity and fail to recognize assets and opportunities within their grasp. Joe Daniels and Christie Latona explain how adopting a mindset of abundance can reveal overlooked assets and open new possibilities. This article was originally published on June 29, 2019. Because many churches continue to operate [...] The post New Possibilities are All around You first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The post New Possibilities...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Lovett H. Weems Jr. reports on how a changed culture for post-Boomer generations holds many clues for the absence of younger generations in churches and, thus, the historically low numbers of young clergy. The Lewis Center for Church Leadership just issued its latest clergy age trends report, Clergy Age Trends Remain Relatively Stable in 2025. [...] The post Declines in Young Clergy Reflect a Changed Culture first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The post Declines in Young Cler...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Lovett H. Weems Jr. highlights the stabilizing numbers of young clergy in the Lewis Center’s annual Clergy Age Trends Report after dramatic declines last year due to disaffiliations. Age trends are shown in the report for elders, deacons, and licensed local pastors in all annual conferences. After declines in all age groups of United Methodist [...] The post Clergy Age Trends Remain Relatively Stable in 2025 first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The post Clergy Age Trends Re...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Download the 2025 Clergy Age Trends Report. Highlights of the 2025 Report Impact of Disaffiliation on Numbers and Ages of United Methodist Clergy While there were clergy losses in all age groups caused by disaffiliation in each of the years between 2020 and 2024 (along with other factors always affecting losses such as deaths| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Stewardship expert Ken Sloane writes that consolidation, when led by prayer and purpose, is a faithful act of stewardship that revitalizes mission and ministry. By pruning what no longer bears fruit—whether buildings, programs, or structures—churches can refocus on what is vital. This strategic shift fosters unity, sustainability, and renewed energy for witness and community impact. [...] The post 10 Ways Consolidation Can Strengthen Your Church’s Impact first appeared on Lewis Center f...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
How can a struggling congregation be transformed into a thriving multicultural ministry center? Co-pastors Beth and Nelson Neil share how Culmore Church was transformed through shared space, mutual respect, creative collaboration, and intentional relationships. Their story demonstrates how transparency, flexibility, and mission alignment can revitalize ministry and serve as a model for holistic community engagement. Co-pastors Beth and Nelson Neil share how Culmore Church was transformed thro...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Jake McGlothin, author of The Mission-Minded Guide to Church and School Partnerships, explains how compelling messages that align your congregation’s vision to the task of forming a school partnership and simple recruitment ideas will harness the resources needed to serve children in your community. This article was originally published on April 26, 2017. The content| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
How can your church be friendlier to newcomers? Karl Vaters believes churches can become friendlier by implementing the G.I.F.T. Plan: Greet, Introduce, Follow up, and Thank. By encouraging intentional, simple actions like greeting newcomers and following up, churches can build genuine relationships and make visitors feel welcome, leading to lasting connections and a more welcoming [...] The post 5 Steps to Help Your Church Be Friendlier to Guests first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Lea...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Congregations with a significant proportion of young adults share distinctive traits. For churches seeking to engage these individuals, Perry Chang shares some “do’s” and “don’ts” drawn from a Faith Communities Today study. This article was originally published on May 7, 2014. The content remains relevant, so we are reposting for all who may have missed [...] The post Best Practices for Reaching Young Adults first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The post Best Pract...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
How can bivocational ministers and the congregations they serve thrive? In this interview, Kris Bentley redefines bivocational ministry beyond traditional models, emphasizing shared leadership, congregational adaptability, and spiritual sustainability. She encourages both pastors and congregations to embrace bivocational ministry as a thriving, collaborative model of God’s call, rooted in sufficiency, creativity, and community engagement. Jessica Kris Bentley explores how bivocational minis...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
For two decades, women across the country have gathered for a simple but powerful Advent tradition: a laity-led candlelight service that brings communities together in worship. Brenda Stone brought this service to her church, then helped churches across her state create their own versions of this special event. She and Laura Heikes share how you Laura Heikes & Brenda Stone share how you can gather a small team to bring Advent by Candlelight to your community.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Jessica Anschutz describes an annual Christmas evening workship service.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
What are current church giving and worship attendance trends? Joe Park unpacks key trends in worship attendance and giving from Horizons Stewardship’s Church Giving and Worship Report: Key Findings from 2024. He emphasizes digital engagement, discipleship, and strategic ministry planning, while highlighting the importance of adaptive leadership, consistent generosity messaging, and authentic relationships. Watch the Joe Park shares trends in church giving and worship, stressing digital tool...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Delivered every Wednesday, our free e-newsletter Leading Ideas offers articles by thoughtful, cutting-edge leaders on subjects you care about — navigating change, reaching younger people, financing your ministry, communicating effectively — to help you be the leader God is calling you to be. The Lewis Center is committed to helping congregations and denominations thrive and grow by providing ideas, research, resources, and training for vital and fruitful leadership. Through Leading Ideas,...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
