Author: Administrador

Denny Müller photo – Unsplash By Mark Croston Somewhere along the way, many Christians—pastors and lay people alike—have developed a notion that pastors are to be holy superhumans rather than simply humans striving for holiness. Holy superhumans work 24/7, and they never take all their vacation days. They don’t know failure, grief, frustration, disappointment, depression, … Continue reading “Why Pastors Must Acknowledge Their Own Needs”

Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona photo – Unsplash By Marissa Postell Much like the economy and the health care system, your church is likely still recovering from the effects of the pandemic. Part of that recovery is seeing the return of your pre-COVID attendees, many of which still have not come back. “The Ripple Effect: Congregations, COVID, … Continue reading “The Group Most Likely to Still Be Missing From Your Church”

By Scott McConnell Certain measures can help pastors maintain a long, fruitful ministry. Unfortunately, fewer pastors and congregations are making those steps a priority. A recent updated study of evangelical and Black Protestant pastors reveals that fewer pastors and congregations are practicing 8 of 12 preventative actions that have been shown to help pastors remain … Continue reading “Fewer Pastors and Churches Take Steps to Help Pastors Stay in Ministry”

RODNAE Productions photo – Pexels By Daryl Crouch “Why are you doing this?” his wife asked as discouragement swelled up in his eyes. God called him, that’s why. And currently that’s the only answer he has. “I told myself if I’m as tired when I get back from vacation as I was when I left, I’m done. … Continue reading “3 Uncommon Habits Pastors Need to Build Friendships”

Samantha Borges photo – Unsplash By Marissa Postell Everything affects something. Nothing happens in a vacuum. And COVID-19 certainly didn’t happen in a vacuum. It landed in the pond of our world with a splash that caused ripples far beyond itself as more people began working from home, pursuing online education, joining video calls, and … Continue reading “Are Online Church Services Here to Stay?”

A Christian believer in Afghanistan – IMB photo By Aaron Earls While churches in the U.S. attempted to recover from the pandemic in 2021, many Christians around the world were trying to survive increased persecution. According to Open Doors’ World Watch List 2022, last year more Christians were detained or killed for their faith and … Continue reading “1 in 7 Global Christians Faced Persecution in 2021”

Jack Stapleton photo – Unsplash By Aaron Earls As you serve in your local church, it can be easy to forget the global nature of Christianity. Even connections to missionaries or trips to other countries don’t fully display the magnitude of the modern-day church. And if your church has plateaued or is even shrinking, you … Continue reading “7 Encouraging Trends of Global Christianity in 2022”

Tanner Yould photo – Unsplash By Skylar Spradlin One of the great pastoral struggles of recent days is the common volatility that has transpired in American society and seeped into the life of the church. Lifeway Research’s 2022 Greatest Needs of Pastors study found 63% of pastors highlighted stress as an issue they needed to … Continue reading “3 Truths About Jesus Calling His Followers “Sheep””

Drew Murphy photo – Unsplash By Aaron Earls  Most pastors know the individuals in their congregations who are missing. They don’t need research to tell them. Each week they look out from the pulpit and see the empty spot where someone used to regularly sit. What research can tell pastors is whether their church is … Continue reading “5 Current Church Attendance Trends You Need to Know”

Simone Secci photo – Unsplash By Mark Dance What were you doing on March 12, 2020? I spoke at a pastor luncheon in Wewoka, Oklahoma that day, and they surprised me by singing “Happy Birthday” as the server brought out a giant piece of cheesecake. An even bigger surprise that day was news that COVID-19 … Continue reading “5 Self-Assessment Questions Pastors Need to Ask Right Now”