In Preaching Articles: "Leadership Listening"

3 Reasons Why I Give My Listeners Homework (And Why You Should, Too)

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 21, 2025

When we ask something more of our congregation we will quickly discover whether we are preaching for spiritual entertainment or spiritual formation.

Tags: Discipleship

12 Things I’d Tell My 25-Year-Old Self (About Life And Leadership)

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jun 19, 2024

There are so many things I would do the same, but there are more than a few things I’d do differently.

Tags: leader, passion, godly character, productivity, Godly Leaders, pastoral leadership, church leadership, Leader, Security  (view more)  (view less)

How Do You Lead Without Being Toxic?

By Rev Mac Mccarthy on Dec 21, 2021

When leadership does not transition to development in a timely way, it becomes toxic.

Tags: leadership, Healthy Church, Leadership General, church leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

5 Signs You Are A Bounce Back Leader

By Charles Stone on Oct 17, 2024

What are the qualities of resilient leaders?

Tags: leadership, resilient, Leadership

6 Do-Or-Die Roles For Every Senior Leader

By Michael D. Warden on Jun 4, 2020

Do you know where to draw the line between your role as a top-level leader and everyone else's role in the church?

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Leadership General, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Problems With Being Too Nice As A Leader

By Ron Edmondson on Jun 15, 2020

Are you too nice as a leader? Maybe it's time to put away the "nice hat," at least temporarily, to address the issues and problems impacting your ministry or leadership team.

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Leadership General, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Really Makes A Spiritual Leader?

By Bob Hamp on Apr 5, 2023

Spiritual leaders influence more than they direct, and they inspire more than they instruct.

Tags: Power, leadership, Counselor, Leadership General, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

5 Qualities To Seek In The Heart Of A Leader

By Ron Edmondson on Jan 29, 2022

Someone asked me recently what I primarily look for in the hiring of a staff position. I said, without reservation, first and foremost, I look for the heart.

Tags: leadership, Integrity, Innovation, pastoral leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

7 Markers Of A Great Leader

By Ron Edmondson on Oct 26, 2023

There are some characteristics which set a great leader apart from mediocre leaders. Do you know what they are?

Tags: Humility, leadership, Integrity, pastoral leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

How To Keep Your Brain Sharp

By Charles Stone on Oct 30, 2023

The brain is a masterpiece of God’s creation. It grows rapidly from birth until the mid-twenties. Unfortunately, it’s downhill from there. Even though you can’t avoid getting older, you can take some simple steps to keep your brain sharp.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19

Tags: leadership, Aging, Health, pastoral leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The Greatest Gift You Give Your Team- Part 1

By Lance Witt on Jul 11, 2024

This week work at paying attention to your soul. Listen to your emotions. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what is going on beneath the surface of all your “doing”.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1, John 16:32, John 16:32

Tags: Approval, personal holiness, Growth in Christ, pastoral leadership, God's Approval, Guarding your heart, motives, soul care  (view more)  (view less)

What To Do With Information Overload

By Ron Edmondson on Oct 25, 2022

"One struggle I’ve witnessed consistently with leaders – including this one – is we drown in information overload. There are more good ideas than we can ever implement."

Tags: pastoral leadership, leadership capacity, good leadership, Leadership, Technology, leadership, organization, effective, productivity  (view more)  (view less)

3 Simple Questions For Better Church Outreach

By Kevin Harney on Mar 18, 2025

Only when a church grafts evangelistic passion onto every ministry will outreach become more than just another program.

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 11:1-30

Tags: Ministry, Outreach, leadership, Leadership General, Leadership, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Leading From Fear: So Many Churches Do It

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 23, 2021

It’s so easy for a preacher to exhibit fear and not faith when standing before the church and calling the congregation to faithfulness and righteousness.

Scripture: Mark 4:40, Luke 14:7-14

Tags: Faith, leadership, Faith and Fear, church leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Keep Learning To Lead: Five Practical Lessons

By Gavin Ortlund on Apr 29, 2022

Leadership is hard. I rank it up there with pain, parenting, and preaching as one of those things in life that we never fully master, but only hope to keep learning over a lifetime.

Scripture: John 13:15-16, John 16:12

Tags: Teamwork, Leadership General, servant leadership, Jesus' leadership