Leveraging Community Strengths: Engaging with Local Needs and Voices

by Chris Goldman   The definition of a good church facility is simple: it facilitates the ministry of the church. If it doesn’t, you will quickly find yourself exhausted trying to make things work. In 2016, NWChurch decided to “build a community center where a church happens to meet.” The intention was to make the […]

Leading a More Faithful Church: Why Diversity in Leadership Matters

by Sean Palmer Church leaders have a sacred responsibility—not just to guide their congregations, but to partner with God in the in-breaking of God’s kingdom. Leadership influences everything from teaching and discipleship to outreach and community engagement. And one of the most pressing challenges facing the church today is a leadership structure that often lacks […]

Creating Safe Spaces: Encouraging Open Dialogue and Participation

by Patrice Lorick   Can you recall a time when you were in an uncomfortable or unsafe space? I can recall a time or two. I have been the wife of a minister for 18 years. We have been a part of interviews where I was the only woman in the room with my husband […]

Building a Diverse Leadership Team: Strategies for Inclusion

Shannon Rains   In Acts 6, a situation arose that caused some widows to receive inadequate care. The Hellenistic Jewish widows spoke Greek and were shaped by Roman customs. In contrast, the Hebraic Jewish widows were shaped by the cultural practices and language in and around Jerusalem, much like the apostles leading the church. The […]

Leaders with the Skill of Adaptability

by Becky Burroughs   “A bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make the turn.”  Helen Keller  Born in 1880, Helen Keller, author, political activist, and lecturer, was the first person born blind and deaf to earn a Bachelors Degree. Her exquisite ability to adapt set her […]

Navigating Change with Compassion: Supporting Your Congregation

by  Grady D. King, D. Min   Okay. Admit it. Change is okay if you are in favor of the change. Then reality hits as people react. Navigating change in a congregation requires a thoughtful, compassionate approach. Change often brings uncertainty and anxiety, but with intentionality and care, leaders can manage change well. Of course, […]

Vision and Strategy in Times of Transition: Leading with Purpose

by Steven Carrizal   Transitions have a way of disrupting what church leaders tend to value most—continuity, constancy, and predictability or perhaps in another word, peace. With transitions come a sense of uncertainty and reactivity that is often soothed by seeing a problem to solve and looking for a quick fix that has long term […]

Leading Through Constant Change

by Jason Locke   Change is an unavoidable part of life. People buy new clothes. They swap jobs. Kids graduate from one level of education to another. Folks switch homes or move to a new city. Someone gains weight, opts for a new hair style, or finds themself with a new boss. Constant changes face […]

Balancing Technology and Personal Touch in Ministry

by Taylor Sather Throughout history, technological advances have consistently sparked debates about their impact on our intelligence, relationships, and emotional health. In ministry, this conversation is particularly relevant as pastors seek to balance the efficiency of technology with the deeply personal nature of spiritual care. These concerns are not new. In the 16th century, Swiss […]

Invite AI to Your Church

by Marvin Smith When I was invited to write a 300-word article on AI in church administration, my first response was, “Why not have AI write the article? It would only take 30 seconds.” I was wrong; it only took 18 seconds. Instead of using the AI-generated article, I selected a more traditional path to […]

X