The Post-Pandemic Shift in Evangelical Church Engagement Insights| Church Life & Ministry Research confirms what many pastors are feeling. After the pandemic, church engagement looks different for congregants. By Mike Leake I began my present pastorate in April of 2019. If memory serves, 114 people voted on whether or not I’d be their next pastor. Last … [Read more…]
Insights| Personal Development | Aug 22, 2024 What can pastors learn about their own character development from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount? What are you doing to become more like Jesus? By Steven Blake Reviewing Shepherding Like Jesus: Returning to the Wild Idea That Character Matters in Ministry, two questions came to mind. “Why me? I’m just a small church … [Read more…]
Church Communication for Solo Pastors Insights| Church Life & Ministry | Aug 14, 2024 Church communication for solo pastors can be difficult and time-consuming. Identify the most important areas and learn how to do them well. By Mark MacDonald Most churches have one person in leadership—a busy solo pastor who has to do most, with the help of … [Read more…]
Pain points are inevitable for pastors, but so is joy. The tears will be wiped away one day in heaven, while the joy will last for eternity. By Mark Dance Do you know who originally said, “If you love your job, you will never work a day in your life”? Search engines pin this on … [Read more…]
In many ways, pastors’ wellness is intertwined with their churches. These five church factors play a role in the pastor’s health. By Aaron Earls Many of the contributing factors to a pastor’s health are under the control of the pastor himself. Some congregational attributes, however, can lead to a pastor feeling healthier, according to the … [Read more…]
In a troubling sign for many congregations, half of pastors say they are often or frequently lonely, according to a report of clergy health. By Aaron Earls Pastors may be healthy in many other areas, but most say they struggle with feeling lonely, according to a report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. The U.S. Surgeon … [Read more…]
More pastors are contemplating quitting ministry and leaving their church. Several factors increase the likelihood of those thoughts. By Aaron Earls After enduring the pandemic and reestablishing many of their congregational rhythms, more pastors say they are thinking about leaving their church and maybe even ministry. Lifeway Research studies on the subject found pastors haven’t … [Read more…]
Research shows some of the cultural chaos seems to be settling. We are in a new world, which calls for new skills and a new mindset. By D. Scott Hildreth A couple of months ago, I went to a local shopping mall to have my computer repaired. It had been years since I’d walked through … [Read more…]
For the first time in the history of Gallup’s survey, fewer than a third of Americans trust pastors’ honesty and ethical standards. By Aaron Earls When pastors speak with people in their communities, they may have to overcome an initial distrust. Gallup’s 2023 Honesty and Ethics poll found the ratings of nearly all professions measured to be lower … [Read more…]
Insights| Church Life & Ministry | Jan 12, 2024 As church leaders plan for 2024, they should keep these statistics and trends in mind for their congregation. By Aaron Earls There’s nothing magical about beginning a new calendar year, but it does provide a natural opportunity for reflection and planning. Looking back at recent research can give pastors … [Read more…]