Leading the Small Membership Church
Small membership churches thrive on self-reliance, requiring leaders with strong relational skills. Lew Parks writes that preaching in these churches reinforces corporate identity, tells the…
Browsing: Pastoral Ministry
Articles
8 Adjustments Needed as Bivocational and Covocational Pastoral Roles Become the Norm
The shift to bivocational work is reshaping expectations in the church as many pastors now rely on multiple income sources. As bivocational and covocational roles…
7 Trends Impacting Church Leadership for 2025
As the landscape of ministry continues to shift, the Lewis Center sees congregations adapting in creative new ways. Jessica Anschutz, Ann Michel, and Doug Powe…
Part-time Pastors and Gift-filled Congregations
Lovett H. Weems Jr. describes the growth of part-time pastoral leadership, particularly in older and established traditions where part-time ministry has not been considered the…
Does an Aging Population Explain High Clergy Ages?
For most traditions, the disproportionate aging of clergy is a crucial challenge. Lovett H. Weems Jr. highlights some of the findings in the National Congregations…
Reading Between the Lines: Navigating Church Politics with Insight and Wisdom
Effective church leadership involves navigating the politics of ministry beyond practical skills. Doug Powe and Jessica Anschutz emphasize that leaders must learn to read between…
Remembering 9/11, Leadership During a Disaster: An In-depth Interview with Terry Bradfield
How can we lead in times of disaster? As we remember 9/11, Terry Bradfield, a retired Army chaplain who was assigned to the Pentagon on…
“Remembering 9/11: Leadership During a Disaster” featuring Terry Bradfield
Podcast Episode 154 How can we lead in times of disaster? As we remember 9/11, Terry Bradfield, a retired Army chaplain who was assigned to…
“Remembering 9/11: Leadership During a Disaster” featuring Terry Bradfield
Podcast Episode 154 How can we lead in times of disaster? As we remember 9/11, Terry Bradfield, a retired Army chaplain who was assigned to…
Clergy Health and Wellness in the Post-Pandemic Era: An In-depth Interview with Allison Norton
What is the state of clergy health and wellbeing coming out of the pandemic? What factors and practices influence the emotional wellbeing of clergy? Allison…
“Clergy Health and Wellness in the Post-Pandemic Era” featuring Allison Norton
Podcast Episode 148 What is the state of clergy health and wellbeing coming out of the pandemic? What factors and practices influence the emotional wellbeing…
What Does Declining Attendance Portend for Congregations and Their Leaders?
A sustained decline in worship attendance is afflicting most American congregations. Drawing on findings from the Lewis Center’s Religious Workforce Project, Lovett H. Weems Jr.…
11 Questions for Getting to Know a New Congregation
Robert Harris shares a method for interviewing congregational leaders and others to help an incoming pastor learn about a new congregation. He recommends interviewing a…
New Pastors Should Make Time to Listen
Sidney Williams writes that a top priority for a new pastor needs to be listening to the stories of congregants to discern needs, learn who…
Community Transformation and Justice Require More Than Preaching
Community transformation and justice require more than preaching. Kevin Slayton calls preachers to put their faith in action by cultivating relationships and establishing partnerships with…
Build Resilience. Reduce Burnout.
Are you feeling underchallenged, neglected, or overloaded? Diane Owen shares three pillars that provide the fuel to avert these three types of burnout. She offers…
Number of Young Elders in the United Methodist Church Reaches a Record Low Number in 2023
Lovett H. Weems Jr. highlights the decline in numbers of young clergy in the Lewis Center’s annual Clergy Age Trends Report. A dramatic decline in…
Clergy Age Trends in the United Methodist Church: 1985-2023
Download the 2023 Clergy Age Trends Report. Highlights of the 2023 Report Young Elders Reach New Record Low Number The recent decline in the…
Building Inclusive Communities: An In-Depth Interview with Brandan Robertson
How can church leaders build an inclusive community of faith? Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center staff interviews Brandan Robertson, the “TikTok Pastor,” about social…
“Building Inclusive Communities” featuring Brandan Robertson
Podcast Episode 132 How can church leaders build an inclusive community of faith? In this episode Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center staff speaks with…
Improve Your Time Management and Enhance Your Ministry: An In-Depth Interview with Nicole Reilley
How can church leaders improve their time management and maximize ministry? Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center staff interviews Nicole Reilley about time management, saying…
“Improve Your Time Management and Enhance Your Ministry” featuring Nicole Reilley
Podcast Episode 131 How can church leaders improve their time management and maximize ministry? In this episode we speak with Nicole Reilley about time management,…
The Power of Holy Friendships: An In-Depth Interview with Victoria White
How can holy friendships sustain pastors and church leaders? Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center staff speaks with Victoria White about her book Holy Friendships:…
“The Power of Holy Friendships” featuring Victoria White
Podcast Episode 129 How can holy friendships sustain pastors and church leaders? In this episode we speak with Victoria White about her book Holy Friendships:…
8 Key Questions to Shift Pastoral Counseling Encounters from Reflection Toward Action
Alan T. Baker identifies eight questions that help shift pastoral counseling encounters from reflection toward action. While written for use by chaplains, these questions can…
Keep Your Bucket Full of Energy and Compassion
Alan Baker highlights the importance of self-care for pastoral care providers to keep their personal buckets filled so that they are not emptied by burnout…
Who will be God’s Agents of Pastoral Calling?
Many pastors recall that it was another pastor who first invited them to consider their call to ministry. Yet it seems fewer and fewer pastors…
Effective Pastoral Transition: An In-Depth Interview with Lee Kricher
How can a seamless pastoral transition lead to a more effective leadership transition? Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center staff speaks with Lee Kricher, author…
“Effective Pastoral Transition” featuring Lee Kricher
Podcast Episode 124 How can a seamless pastoral transition lead to a more effective leadership transition? We speak with Lee Kricher, the author of Seamless…
Humility is Critical to Successful Pastoral Transition
Lee Kricher says that one of the key variables in a successful pastoral transition is humility. It is difficult but essential that both outgoing and…
