Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center staff reports on how a Connecticut church has made the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday a time for intergenerational learning and service. She shares tips on how churches large or small might launch a similar effort to educate and inspire young people and connect with the broader community. In| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Moving Faith Communities to Fruitful Conversations about Race is a dialogue about race in America that may be used to help your church bring people together to talk about moving forward bravely and boldly in the name of Christ. The free resource is divided into four videos which may be used in one or more| 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 ...
Thinking of launching a church-school partnership? Or looking to strengthen an existing partnership? In this episode Jake McGlothin, author of The Mission-Minded Guide to Church and School Partnerships, speaks with Lewis Center Associate Director Ann A. Michel about how churches can build effective, transformative relationships with children and teachers in their community.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
When Rev. Nathan Adams was invited to become a Lewis Community Leadership Fellow it was like being asked to come home. “I was a Lewis Fellow five years ago,” he said, speaking of a Wesley program that offers leadership development to clergy under age 35. “I had a great experience. The work was very influential| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Jake McGlothin, author of The Mission-Minded Guide to Church and School Partnerships, says it’s only logical that the two most important social institutions in our society should work together. He outlines what churches can share with schools as well as how engagement with schools can positively impact a congregation. This article was originally published on| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Pastor Daniel Kerlin’s Pennsylvania church hosts a free summer lunch program. When kids who were on their own or couldn’t tell time were having difficulty showing up on time, they started using their church bell to signal the start of lunchtime. In an era when many church bells stand silent, theirs is inviting a new| 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 ...
Through engaging with your congregation, careful planning, acknowledging unique giving patterns, asking effectively, and following up, these 50 tips will maximize your church's annual giving.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
These 50 Ways of encouraging faithful giving will help your church members grow in discipleship through faithful stewardship and extravagant generosity.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
The staff of the Lewis Center: Joe Arnold, Carol Follett, Matthew Lyons, Dr. Ann A. Michel, Sabrina O. Wallace, and Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Tanya Campen describes how practicing respect, preparation, and presence create safe spaces where children are valued and respected. She highlights the importance of preparing ourselves and safe spaces so that we can be fully present as children claim and respond to God’s presence in their lives. In our work as leaders in ministry with children,| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Stephanie Remington of the Lewis Center staff reminds us that Christmas traditions can move the spirit and renew the hope of people in our culture, even those who don’t profess faith. She suggests that in developing Advent and Christmas Eve worship, it’s important to hold tight to some familiar traditions. A friend in his forties,| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Doug Ruffle, who once served as a missionary in Argentina, shares the heartwarming story of a Christmas pageant that went off script, yet captured the true meaning of Christmas. It invites us to make room for the Christ Child in our lives. As a missionary in Argentina, I served Peace Community Church in Rosaria. It| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Tom Berlin and Lovett Weems, authors of the new book Overflow (Abingdon 2013), discuss how congregations can make the season of Advent more meaningful for people.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Brian Bauknight says churches should give great care to Christmas Eve worship so it is thoroughly welcoming to those marginal to the life of the church.| 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
Podcast Episode 173 How can churches engage men in challenging cultural norms of masculinity? In this episode we speak with Sean Harvey, founder of Warrior Compassion Institute. He empowers faith communities to engage men by fostering spaces of vulnerability, curiosity, and connection—meeting men where they are, while challenging cultural norms of masculinity with compassion and [...] The post “Engaging Men While Challenging Cultural Norms of Masculinity” featuring Sean Harvey first app...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
How can churches make the most of the beginning of a new school year? Jason Gant shares that churches have a unique opportunity to engage families adjusting to new routines and demands as the school year begins. By aligning church activities with school schedules, churches can support families in building spiritual rhythms. Matching the school [...] The post Make the Most of the School Year Start with Families first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The post Make the Most of the...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Susan Cox-Johnson shares insights about the Emerging Church and ways of connecting with postmodern generations. It was only a few years ago that I first heard of “The Emerging Church.” I encountered the literature of the emerging church in an evangelism class, and it immediately resonated with me. At that time, I was serving Broadway [...] The post What Leaders Need to Know about the Emerging Church first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The post What Leaders Need to Know a...| 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 ...
The Premiere Doctor of Ministry in Church Leadership Apply now for Leading the Church in a Post-Pandemic Culture, a new Doctor of Ministry in Church Leadership focus from Wesley Theological Seminary and the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The coursework and faculty were passionate and diverse, delving into cutting-edge areas and methods I has never| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Authors Susan Gillies and Ingrid Dvirnak suggest ways to engage homebound members as active leaders in ministries of prayer, encouragement, and communication.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Bishop Kenneth Carder considers how churches can be in ministry with those with dementia and their families. His practical advice to congregations is informed by his poignant personal journey and his profound reflection on the spiritual aspects of coping with dementia. One of the last words to leave my wife Linda’s vocabulary was church. Each| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Also available: The Right Start — Group Training Version The Right Start: Beginning Ministry in a New Setting is a video-based training resource for clergy preparing to begin ministry in a new setting; the Pastor's Version is designed for individual use and self study. The resource includes video instructional segments, resources, planning aids, tools, and supplementary materials for planning a successful transition. The current version has been revised and enhanced with new material on the...| 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 [...] The post Lighting the Way: A Laity-Led Advent Service for Women first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The post Lighting the Way...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
The Travelers’ Christmas Eve Service at Park Avenue United Methodist Church in New York City is a beloved annual tradition, shares Jessica Anschutz. Designed for both congregants who travel before Christmas Eve and visitors from around the world, the service—typically held on the third or fourth Sunday of Advent—offers a meaningful celebration featuring carols, scripture [...] The post Travelers’ Christmas Eve Service first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The post Trav...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Co-pastors Beth and Nelson Neil share how Culmore Church was transformed through shared space, mutual respect, creative collaboration, and intentional relationships.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
All clergy face many challenges. But single persons in ministry can face a unique set of challenges.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
What are the opportunities, joys, and challenges for single persons in vocational ministry? Kevin E. Lawson and Jane Carr conducted focus groups and interviews with 45 single church staff members to answer these questions. They share seven ways unmarried staff can thrive in ministry. As more young adults delay marriage, date longer before becoming married,| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
The average congregation is getting smaller with a median size of around 60 attenders, reports Scott Thumma, director of the Hartford Institute for Religious Research. At the same time, a small percentage of large congregations accounts for around half of weekly worship attendance and increasingly dominates the religious landscape. Much like the phenomenon of climate| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Lovett Weems highlights key facts in the findings of the 2010 Religion Census and outlines the key questions your church needs to ask of the data.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
The Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary, provides up-to-date resources and research on the best practices for church leadership.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Kimberly Wagner discusses how pastors should preach in the wake of a mass shooting, natural disaster, or other traumatic community event.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
How would you preach next Sunday if tomorrow your community fell victim to a mass shooting or was devastated by a natural disaster? Ann Michel of the Lewis Center staff interviews Kimberly Wagner, Assistant Professor of Preaching at Princeton Theological Seminary, about approaching this increasingly unavoidable homiletical task in ways that hold in tension loss| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech proposed a big dream for what America can become. What big dreams do you have for your congregation and community? Lewis Center Director Doug Powe shares four key characteristics of big dreams that propel us toward a future shaped by participating in God’s transforming work. Many| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Editor’s note: This information adapted from an article by Dr. Lewis A. Parks which appeared in Leading Ideas on October 14, 2015. This To the Point version has been edited for brevity and is accompanied by a PDF flier that you may download and share with others. I spend my working days as a pastor trying to| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Editor’s note: This information adapted from an article by Joy F. Skjegstad which appeared previously in Leading Ideas. This To the Point version has been edited for brevity and is accompanied by a PDF flier that you may download and share with others. Sometimes I interact with small congregations that assume that any significant community ministry effort is beyond| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Domenic Dutra says not every potential lessee makes a good partner. He lists critical questions and consideration for any congregation considering renting space in their building that promote a fruitful relationship. Leasing space in your building could give your church new life. But it could also be part of your slow, painful death. Let me| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Allen Stanton says rural churches are uniquely positioned to be agents of change within their communities. Most are trusted long-term community stakeholders, and on any given Sunday people from a wide range of occupations and life circumstances are sitting in their pews. Rural churches often have several strengths that are relatively unique to their own| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
“How can congregational leaders be both healers and agitators at the same time?” Doug Powe and Jessica Anschutz reflect on their Healing Fractured Communities and the the work of renewal, resilience, and resistance in ministry.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
How can you get outside the doors of your church, learn about your community, and meet people where they are? In this episode we speak with Laura Heikes, pastor of Bee Creek United Methodist Church in Spicewood, Texas, about strategies for bringing a missionary mindset to your own neighborhood.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
How can congregational leaders be healers and agitators at the same time? In this in-depth interview, Doug Powe and Jessica Anschutz reflect on the new book Healing Fractured Communities and the stories of pastoral leaders engaged in the work of renewal, resilience, and resistance in congregations, on college campuses, and in communities. Listen to this| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Alan Roxburgh describes how established habits and values operating in the background of every church block renewal and participation in God’s future.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Tom Berlin shares a six-step process for helping a congregation change.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
What is God calling your church to do in the near future given your church’s mission and context? Doug Powe and Lovett Weems outline key considerations for leaders who seek to innovate while also sustaining what is most essential in their ministries. Practicing innovative leadership is a necessity for all who care deeply about the| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
When confronted with a difficult person, do you try to work around them or just complain behind their back? Lewis Center staffer Ann Michel says effective leaders find ways to collaborate with problematic people if their support and help are crucial to their objectives. You know who I’m talking about. The church matriarch who is| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Amy Valdez Barker says that the church should be a training center in the development of trust. She names practices that leaders can employ when groups come together to create environments that foster and facilitate a high-trust culture. The church should be one of the primary training centers in building high-trust communities and high-trust cultures.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Justin Irving and Mark Strauss write that collaboration is an important factor contributing to effective leadership. Leading with humility, celebrating the contributions of others, and embracing the benefits of teamwork are three key principles vital to more successful organizational leadership. Whether it is engaging a community with shared vision or embracing more team-oriented practices in| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
The late Junius B. Dotson says that churches cannot do the hard and intentional work of making disciples unless they are clear about what a disciple is and how disciples are formed. He outlines the key characteristics of a more intentional system for forming disciples. If you say to average church leaders, “Tell me a| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Lewis Center Director Doug Powe says it’s common for many individuals within a congregation to be responsible for discipleship. But often, no one person is accountable for it. He suggests having a discipleship coordinator who can help define clearly the meaning of discipleship and integrate it into all areas of church life. Who is accountable| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Phil Maynard and Eddie Pipkin say education-based approaches to spiritual formation often fail to form disciples committed to Christlike living. They suggest doing what Jesus did — focusing intentionally on spiritual growth and development within a context of relationality and accountability. Despite the significant investment of time, financial resources, and amazing educational options over the| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
The prophet Nehemiah provides modern day leaders a wonderful model of leadership, teaching us to lead toward what God is calling us to do, according to Lovett Weems.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Candace Lewis and Rodney Smothers say that churches must leave their buildings, identify community needs, and walk alongside neighbors in order to make a difference. They outline seven steps to engage people and the real issues they confront. In many communities, it seems as if a number of traditional churches are disconnected. Many have become| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Mike Bonem says that the simple solution to ministry leaders feeling overloaded and overwhelmed is to delegate more. Our most common excuses for failing to delegate don’t really stand up. The key is clarity around what tasks can and cannot be shared. I lost count a long time ago of the number of coaching conversations| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
This free 50 Ways resource provides strategies to identify and support new leaders and build and maintain effective ministry teams. Make it easy for new leaders to get started Consider ways to divide responsibilities among two or more individuals. Job sharing makes it easier for people to say “yes” and gets more people involved. Ask| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Podcast Episode 115 How can church leaders better reach Gen Z? In this episode, Josh Packard shares findings from the Springtide Research Institute on what faith leaders need to know about Gen Z’s religious beliefs and mental health. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube Related Resources The State of Religion & Young People 2022: Mental| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
What are the unique characteristics of young people coming of age today? Rock Jones, president of Ohio Wesleyan University, describes a generation of digital natives who are highly connected but also lonely and anxious. Dr. Jones describes Gen Zers’ life questions, the perspectives they bring to spiritual engagement, and ways church leaders can meet them where they are.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
What are the unique characteristics of young people coming of age today? Rock Jones, president of Ohio Wesleyan University, describes a generation of digital natives who are highly connected but also lonely and anxious. Dr. Jones describes Gen Zers’ life questions, the perspectives they bring to spiritual engagement, and ways church leaders can meet them| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
How can church leaders better reach Gen Z? Doug Powe, Director of the Lewis Center, speaks with Josh Packard about Springtide Research Institute’s research including what faith leaders need to know about Gen Z’s religious beliefs and mental health. Listen to this interview, watch the interview video on YouTube, or continue reading. Doug Powe: What is| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Effective leaders are skilled listeners. C. Kavin Rowe offers three practices that center on developing our attention and improving our ability to listen. Leaders need to know how to listen well. It seems so obvious. Why bring it up? Because the truth is that many leaders are more focused on telling people what to do| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Podcast Episode 116 How can church leaders address conflicts? We speak with attorney and mediator Charlie Pillsbury about mediating conflicts in congregations. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube Related Resources 5 Suggestions for Managing Conflict in Polarized Contexts by David R. Brubaker Eight Strategies for Managing Conflict by the Lewis Center 9 Ways Leaders Can| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
How can church leaders address conflicts? Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center staff speaks with attorney and mediator, Charlie Pillsbury, about mediating conflicts in congregations. Listen to this interview, watch the interview video on YouTube, or continue reading. Jessica Anschutz: Welcome, Charlie. I'm grateful for your willingness to share some of your conflict mediation wisdom| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
David Woolverton says there are two types of church conflict — conflict that destroys teams, ministries, and congregational vibrancy and conflict that cultivates growth by driving toward a transformative end. The key variable is a leader who sees their leadership role as not merely resolving the conflict but rather developing healthier ways for the congregation| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Craig Gilliam has found that poor communications is often the root problem of conflict in churches.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Pastors in small-membership churches often face frustration when trying to implement change, but these churches also possess unique adaptability. Allen Stanton notes that small churches can be surprisingly nimble, responding quickly to needs and opportunities. He identifies four practices to help small churches stay flexible. By nurturing these practices, small churches can remain adaptable, leveraging [...] The post 4 Practices to Help Small Church Stay Nimble and Open to Change first appear...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Dan Hotchkiss writes that churches need to ask themselves “What’s good about that?” in relation to established programs and ministries. He shares an example of a church with a strong music program whose purpose was rooted in the past instead of the present. This article was originally published on June 18, 2014. It’s good to [...] The post What’s Good about That? first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The post What’s Good about That? appeared first on Lewis Center f...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
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 ...
Podcast Episode 127 What new approaches to youth ministry are emerging in our post-Covid era? Deech Kirk of the Center for Youth Ministry Training describes some of the common challenges confronting youth ministry today and some of the characteristics of the newer, innovative ministry models that are taking shape. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Are you longing to connect with youth in relevant and faithful ways? In this episode we speak with Jen Bradbury about fresh approaches to youth ministry and how to conduct youth mission trips with integrity and purpose.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
What new approaches to youth ministry are emerging in our post-Covid era? Ann Michel interviews Deech Kirk of the Center for Youth Ministry Training. He describes some of the common challenges confronting youth ministry today and some of the characteristics of the newer, innovative ministry models that are taking shape. Listen to this interview, watch the| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
What types of churches attract young people? Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Brad Griffin, the authors of Growing Young, dispel a number of common myths. Their research indicates that size, location, denominational tradition, worship style, and several other variables don’t matter as much as imagined and that congregations of all types have the potential to “grow| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Michael Adam Beck and Stephanie Moore Hand say that if we take from Jesus’s Great Commission only the call to “make disciples” we are omitting one small but important word. GO! The Great Commission isn’t about bringing people into the church building and properly Christianizing them. It’s about a community of learners, going out together,| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Kenneth H. Carter and Audrey Warren describe a simple, step-by-step process for making disciples and mentoring friends to be closer to Jesus — a process of faith formation that is increasingly important as more and more nontraditional expressions of church emerge. For the unchurched, or “nones,” the language of becoming a disciple is entering a| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Ralph C. Watkins writes about priorities for pastors who are new to a congregation.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
A new pastor moving to her first appointment describes how she used her first day to reach out to congregants and community leaders. .| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
The post Online Certificate Program from Wesley Pathways for Ministry appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Podcast Episode 171 How can bivocational ministers and the congregations they serve thrive? In this conversation, 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 [...] The post “Thriving in Bivocational Ministry...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
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
Pastor Hannah Bonner offers wisdom she’s gleaned in beginning ministry in some dramatically different places, highlighting the need for emotional engagement and interpersonal honesty.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
New Testament professor Bill Brosend says that preaching in the age of fake news and alternative facts can be like walking a tightrope. But it’s when the stakes are highest that it’s most important to be disciplined, humble, and aware that actions speak more eloquently than words. How are we to proclaim good news in| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Pastor Carey Nieuwhof believes the church is uniquely positioned to respond to the political tension and division that characterize our age. He discusses four ways Christians can bring hope to the increasingly fragile culture around us. You don’t need to be anything more than a casual observer of American (and Western) culture to know that| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
A Lewis Center Video-based Adult Christian Study Curriculum Church leaders have always looked to scripture for wisdom on how God’s leaders are to fulfill their callings. One such leader is Nehemiah, who led the effort to rebuild Jerusalem after the Babylonian conquest. Nehemiah accomplished this amazing feat through the exercise of leadership that was smart and savvy while also deeply grounded in devotion to God. This six-session video-based study curriculum lifts up key themes in Nehemiah...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
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
What should congregations consider when launching a social venture? In this in-depth interview, Jaleesa Hall shares how Raising A Village grew from a college initiative into a thriving nonprofit serving underserved children and families in Washington, D.C. She offers church leaders practical guidance on launching social ventures, emphasizing discernment, sustainable capacity-building, and the power of| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Anthony Hunt reflects on how Martin Luther King Jr. would address today’s social challenges by reimagining King’s 1963 “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Hunt posits a contemporary version of King’s letter that emphasizes the right and responsibility of voting and the need to continue to dream and hope for a better tomorrow. This year marks the| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
C. Anthony Hunt explains how Martin Luther King Jr.’s prophetic witness was grounded in four principles—call, conviction, courage, and commitment. Even 50 years after King’s assassination, these principles are still relevant to leaders engaging in prophetic witness and public ministry. Este artículo está disponible en español. — This article is available in Spanish. This article| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
