By Sam S. Rainer III I am in the third year of serving as lead pastor at West Bradenton. Thankfully, my first two years were more joy than angst, defined by encouragement and not disillusion. But even in a healthy church, the third year can bring frustration — for both pastor and congregation. In the […]
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By Tim Spivey The most overlooked and underrated trait of people who serve in healthy, growing churches is a positive attitude. This isn’t to be mistaken for blindness to obstacles or a “yes man/woman” posture. I’m talking about one’s primary attitude, and whether it is oriented toward self/others and criticism/encouragement. What weather do they produce […]
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By Carey Nieuwhof So you want to lead better. The question, always, is how. There are thousands of small tips and strategies that make us better as leaders, but some insights become the Archimedes Lever of leadership. For me personally, these principles are in that category. If I keep these 5 insights close, I always […]
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By Scott Charbonneau Effective ministry leaders are committed to investing in their staff. You nurture their faith and provide the tools they need to carry out the mission. However, caring for your staff runs deeper than ministry basics. You should also consider providing benefits like group health insurance to support them and their families from […]
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By Vincent Schera and Rev. Dr. Perry J. Hopper Whether it is by phone, in person — either one-on-one or with a search committee — interviewing is one of the most important steps in the hiring process. You can increase the likelihood of hiring the person who is right for the position by thinking ahead […]
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By Mike Bonem “And all other duties as may be assigned.” This is commonly the last line in a job description. But, the practical reality for many second chair leaders is that this is their first responsibility. This simple truth can be frustrating and confusing. It’s confusing when you’re not sure what your priorities should […]
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By Mike Bacile The most frequent question I get from churches is, “How do we know if our church should build a café / coffee bar?” A café has so many positive possibilities to offer a church community. However, it should meet three important criteria in order to really produce the fellowship and revenue most […]
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Proactive, proven strategies for protecting the kids in your care Q: What are the biggest risks and liabilities facing churches in the area of protecting children? D’Ambrosio: The days are over when ordering a background check on a new volunteer was the ultimate ‘extra-mile’ effort of an ultra-careful church. Today, a background check is […]
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10 ‘R’s that will help you be a better steward of the leadership opportunity God has (temporarily) provided By Monty Kelso Leadership is temporary stewardship. Leadership is temporary, because no matter how much we try to preserve our position, role or authority, there will come a day when we’re no longer the first or best […]
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Many churches recruit interns as a way to provide ministry experience for students. Guidelines for unpaid internships have changed.
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