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 ...
Many Christians today feel tension between faith and politics, often confusing partisan allegiance with discipleship. Lovett Weems warns that Christianity’s credibility suffers when political power replaces Christlike love. True patriotism, rooted in Jesus’ teachings, values compassion, diversity, humility, and love. Why, indeed, are so many Christians so cruel? This is the question David French said [...] The post Why Are So Many Christians So Cruel? first appeared on Lewis Center for Ch...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Ten years after the Emanuel AME Church massacre, Lovett Weems remembers the legacy of faith and resistance from Denmark Vesey to Pastor Clementa Pinckney. This tragedy underscores the urgent call for church leaders to reject historical falsehoods, confront racial injustice, and speak truth in love. Leadership rooted in Christ requires moral clarity, courageous witness, and [...] The post Speaking the Truth in Memory of the Charleston Nine first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership. ...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Starting a new ministry is both exciting and challenging. As you enter a fresh ministry context, you'll encounter unique dynamics within your congregation, whether you're breaking new ground as the first woman or person of color or joining a congregation facing its struggles. Andreá Cummings provides steps to take within the first ninety days to| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
How can church leaders overcome burnout? In this interview, Callie Swanlund discusses her book, From Weary to Wholehearted, exploring burnout and its unique challenges. She introduces the SPARK practice—Soma, Preparation, Awe, Retreat, and Kinship—as a holistic approach to overcoming ministry burnout. Callie emphasizes the importance of recognizing burnout signs, creating supportive environments for clergy and| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Effective church leadership involves navigating the politics of ministry beyond practical skills. Doug Powe and Jessica Anschutz emphasize that leaders must learn to read between the lines, listen carefully to what is said and unsaid, observe body language and emotions, understand relationships, and identify power players. Mastering these skills helps leaders handle complex church dynamics| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Christian faithfulness can inspire various political approaches, but they must reflect our primary identity as citizens of the Kingdom of God. Miranda Zapor Cruz finds Kingdom citizens are most faithful when they are salty, prophetic, separationist, and pluralist. She maintains that faithful Christians engage the political realm with a distinctively Christian perspective that prioritizes God's| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
As we navigate our opinions on public policy and electoral choices, it's tempting to delegate our critical thinking to others. Miranda Zapor Cruz writes that Kingdom citizens must resist this ease and strive to stay engaged, informed, and even conflicted. By doing so, we uphold our responsibilities as faithful citizens, ensuring our actions reflect thoughtful| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
What do unmarried individuals in ministry want other church leaders to know about the joys and challenges they encounter? This anonymous open letter shares the experiences and perspectives of a single staff member serving in a church culture slanted toward “marrieds with children.” Dear Church Leaders, As a single person on the staff of your| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Doug Tzan, a faculty member at Wesley Theological Seminary, explains how critical it is for pastoral leaders to understand their own role in church conflict and be intentional in choosing how to respond. He outlines five strategies to help a leader maintain a helpful presence in the midst of conflict. Early in my tenure in| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Where is God’s movement taking place in new ways for new times? Cherished narratives, programs, language, and structures are no longer producing the fruit associated with them during past eras. Lovett Weems says innovation is possible if church leaders challenge the assumptions behind what we are doing because they no longer match the current reality.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
How can church leaders address the challenges of urban ministry in a transformative way? Doug Powe speaks with Tony Hunt, a pastor and scholar, about reading a community well, identifying assets, and the importance of understanding your ministry context. Learn how to develop the transformative qualities of effective leadership. Listen to this interview, watch the interview| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
