In Preaching Articles: "Bad Leadership"

The Ultimate Character Test Any Great Leader Passes

By Carey Nieuwhof on Nov 14, 2023

Moral failure takes out more leaders than it should. But real success is deeper than just avoiding the ditch.

Tags: Leadership, pastoral leadership, church leadership, First Things First, Leadership Failure, True Success, e, leadership, Character, Faithfulness, Home Life, Integrity, Popularity  (view more)  (view less)

Becoming An Approachable Leader In Ministry

By Ken Sande on Mar 6, 2025

Approachability is essential for effective pastoral leadership. This guide shows how leaders earn trust, cultivate humility, and gain a “relational passport” with their people.

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Philippians 2:3-4, Matthew 18:12-14, 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, Mark 10:42-45  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church, Peace, leadership, pastor, conflict, relationships, Relational Wisdom, counsel, Communication General, Leadership General, Pastor, Leadership, church  (view more)  (view less)

Move Your Church From Consumers To Disciples

By Bill Couchenour on Mar 22, 2024

"Too often, we have allowed people to settle for giving 2 percent of their income, or attending 4 out of 5 Sundays."

Tags: Commitment, leadership, Body, Attendance, Church Discipline, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

10 Pointers For Preaching On A Touchy Issue

By Peter Mead on Apr 12, 2021

Sometimes we have to preach something that is potentially controversial or that may not go down too well. Here are ten pointers to help when that is necessary.

Scripture: Acts 17:22-32

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Prayer, Self knowledge, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Way A Leader Is Expected To Respond – Determines The Response They Receive

By Ron Edmondson on Dec 30, 2021

The way others expect you to respond often determines the way they respond to you.

Tags: Communication, Perception, Leadership General, pastoral leadership, communication  (view more)  (view less)

8 Reasons Why Most Churches Never Break The 200 Attendance Mark

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jul 14, 2023

While social media and even traditional media are still preoccupied with mega churches and multi-site churches, the reality is that most churches in North America are quite small.

Tags: Small Church, Leadership, leadership, Change, Church Growth  (view more)  (view less)

Without Accountability, Confession And Friendship, ‘we’re Going To End Up Out Of Ministry’

By Michael Duduit on Jan 28, 2022

My friend Clayton King, who has never served as a senior pastor (and had not expected to), suddenly found himself leading one of the nation’s largest congregations as interim pastor of NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina.

Scripture: James 5:16

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Isolation, Leadership General, pastoral leadership

The Affair You Are Most Likely To Have As A Leader

By Carey Nieuwhof on Sep 8, 2023

Obviously, some leaders have emotional or sexual affairs with people to whom they are not married. As heartbreaking, future-altering and faith-shattering as those affairs can be, there’s another kind of affair you’re actually far more likely to have.

Tags: workaholic, Leadership, leadership, Healthy Church, avoiding burnout  (view more)  (view less)

One-Man Band Or Symphony

By Lance Witt on Sep 28, 2023

Whether you are leading a team or you are a member of a team, you must keep your eye on the bullseye of health and productivity.

Tags: Teamwork, team building, pastoral leadership, servant leadership

7 Ways To Help New Staff Members Succeed

By Ron Edmondson on Apr 23, 2022

Getting a new person started in a good way is probably equal to finding the right people – especially if we hope to keep them.

Tags: leadership, staff, church staffing, good start, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

6 Brain Barriers To Healthy Church Change

By Charles Stone on Oct 19, 2023

Leaders often run into invisible brain barriers when they attempt change. Ignoring them can slow or stonewall a progress.

Tags: leadership, Change, Personal Growth, Overcoming Barriers, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

5 Things You Should Never Say To A Small Church Pastor

By Karl Vaters on Oct 24, 2023

Don’t just get the content right. Consider how it might feel to the hurting pastors who need your help the most.

Tags: Pastoral Ministry, Leadership, leadership, advice, Small Church  (view more)  (view less)

Why Was I So Hard On That Church I Visited?

By Karl Vaters on Jul 2, 2022

How might a newcomer view your church? What barriers may they face? What obstacles could be unintentionally in the way of them connecting and finding a place to belong?

Tags: Leadership, leadership, Visitors, church ministry, Welcoming Others  (view more)  (view less)

10 Things Healthy Churches Do Well

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 24, 2025

Healthy churches face problems with wisdom, unity, and Christlike leadership. These ten traits show how congregations grow stronger even through crises.

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Tags: Church Growth, Healthy Church, Pastors, CHURCH LIFE, Church General, Accept, Christian Community, Christian community, church leadership, Biblical wisdom, Church Leadership, Biblical Wisdom, Congregational Health  (view more)  (view less)

Church Members Don't Want A Hero, They Want A Pastor

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 12, 2021

Church members aren’t looking for super-pastors, they want basic pastoral competence, honesty and leadership. That’s what they ought to expect.

Tags: Preaching, pastor, Hero, Pastor