Pastors

The older I get and the longer I lead, the more I become convinced that what sets the most effective leaders apart is intangible.

The simple truth is that we don’t like to talk about God’s wrath. It makes us moderately uncomfortable. We prefer to talk about how God is loving, kind, and merciful, all of which are gloriously true. The wrath of God is just as glorious as his love and mercy.

Here are 10 traits of post-pandemic churches with growing in-person attendance I have gleaned from incredible leaders.

Unlearning false narratives when they’re discovered is important, especially for leaders.

When choosing leaders, keep these four ideas in mind: Look for people who think, look for people who act, look for people whose lives you can observe, and look for people who deeply depend on God.

“My friend,” John Adams wrote to Thomas Jefferson toward the end of both their lives, “you and I have lived in serious times.”

So, what’s wrong with preparing sermons alone? If almost everyone does it this way, how could it be so bad?

Among these questions for church leaders the longest list will be the second one – what needs tweaking. The shortest will be the third – what needs killing.