Lewis Center for Church Leadership

A congregation can start becoming more intergenerational by simply inviting one more generation to take part in any congregational event or activity.

11 Simple Ideas to Make Your Church More Intergenerational - Lewis Center for Church Leadership The authors of Intergenerational Christian Formation offer simple possibilities for bringing different generations together in ministry.

A church’s first goal with first-time worship visitors is to get them to come back. So, it’s important to follow up with them in ways that are prompt, personal, and pleasant.

3 Key Components of Effective Visitor Follow-Up - Lewis Center for Church Leadership Yvonne Gentile and Debi Nixon say follow up with first-time worship visitors in ways that are prompt, personal, and pleasant.

Watch Now: “Moving Faith Communities to Fruitful Conversations about Race” is a video study about race in America and may be used to help your church bring people together to talk about moving forward bravely and boldly in the name of Christ.

Moving Faith Communities to Fruitful Conversations about Race - Lewis Center for Church Leadership This dialogue about race in America may be used to help your church bring people together to talk about moving forward in the name of Christ.

How can we respond to Christian nationalism in measured and faithful ways? Church leaders should try to help congregants put their love of country in perspective as people of faith while not expressing judgment or devaluing feelings of loss.

Leading Amidst Christian Nationalism - Lewis Center for Church Leadership Lovett H. Weems Jr. outlines seven ways leaders can respond to Christian nationalism in measured and faithful ways.

Jake McGlothin, author of “The Mission-Minded Guide to Church and School Partnerships,” says it’s only logical that the two most important social institutions in our society should work together. He outlines what churches can share with schools.

The Mutual Benefits of Church-School Partnerships - Lewis Center for Church Leadership Jake McGlothin outlines what churches have to share with schools and how partnerships with schools can benefit a congregation.

What do newcomers see when they visit your church? Pastor Molly Phinney Baskette invites you to see your building through the eyes of a newcomer, noting what’s confusing or unattractive, and identifying ways to make your building more welcoming.

Your Building Has More Signs Than You Think Pastor Molly Phinney Baskette invites you to see your building through the eyes of a newcomer, noting what’s confusing or unattractive, and identifying ways to make your building more welcoming.

How can intergenerational Christian practice foster relationships with God and community by engaging persons of all ages? We speak with Valerie Grissom about the countercultural and community building work of intergenerational practices.

“Being the Body of Christ through Intergenerational Christian Practice” featuring Valerie Grissom - Lewis Center for Church Leadership How can intergenerational Christian practice foster relationships with God and community? Valerie Grissom, editor of All Ages Becoming: Intergenerational Practice and the Formation of God’s People, share about intergenerational practices.

While community outreach is crucial, congregations must also strive to engage with people, fostering genuine relationships and shared efforts in our ministries.

Moving from Ministry FOR the People to Ministry WITH the People - Lewis Center for Church Leadership Doug Powe, of the Lewis Center staff, offers invitation and involvement as two ways congregations can move from community outreach to engagement.

What is AI and how can it enhance ministry? Here are 5 things pastors should know about AI and shares ideas for using to strengthen ministry so you can spend more time cultivating relationships with the congregation and community.

5 Tips for Pastors on Using AI - Lewis Center for Church Leadership What is artificial intelligence (AI) and how can it enhance your ministry? Josh Burnett offers five things pastors need to know about AI including some ideas for using AI to strengthen your ministry.

Looking to maximize your leadership potential? The Lewis Center Certificate Program helps you learn strategic actionable insights that enhance your ability to be effective in your ministry setting. Save $250 on all courses if you purchase today! https://ow.ly/peiV50SiVBb

Tanya Campen describes how practicing respect, preparation, and presence create safe spaces where children are valued and respected. She highlights the importance of preparing ourselves and safe spaces so that we can be fully present.

Creating a Safe Space for Holy Work with Children - Lewis Center for Church Leadership Tanya Campen describes how practicing respect, preparation, and presence create safe spaces where children are valued and respected.

How can bringing different generations together in worship, learning, and community promote faith formation? Read about the benefits of a more intergenerational approach to ministry and strategies for helping young and old journey together in faith.

"The Benefits of Intergenerational Christian Formation" featuring Holly Allen - Lewis Center for Church Leadership Podcast Episode 147 How can bringing different generations together in worship, learning, and community promote faith formation? Holly Allen discusses the benefits of a more intergenerational approach to ministry and strategies for helping young and old journey together in faith. Listen on Apple Pod...

Diversity-oriented churches are some of the fastest growing churches in the U.S. Brian Leander names 7 characteristics that help explain how these churches are able to embrace greater racial, ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic diversity.

7 Key Characteristics of Diversity-Oriented Churches - Lewis Center for Church Leadership Brian Leander names 7 characteristics that explain how diversity-oriented churches embrace greater racial, ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic diversity.

Incorporating lessons from improv comedy into ministry might seem unlikely, but it has profoundly impacted Elizabeth Hurd’s ministry. Through improv classes she’s discovered five key improv skills that enhance effective church leadership: listening, saying “yes, and,” staying grounded, being bold, and supporting from the backline.

5 Improv Skills for Church Leadership - Lewis Center for Church Leadership Elizabeth Hurd highlights five key improv skills that enhance effective church leadership.

Tiredness and burnout in church leadership occur primarily because leaders over-function, micromanage, or can’t use their God-given spiritual gifts. Jaye Johnson says the antidote is to reclaim the passion from leading out of one’s own unique giftedness.

Getting Beyond Ministry Burnout and Tiredness - Lewis Center for Church Leadership Jaye Johnson says leading out of one’s own unique spiritual gifts can counteract the tiredness and burnout common among ministry leaders.

fSustainability is increasingly difficult for the ever increasing number of churches worshipping small numbers each week. Lovett Weems draws from Carey Nieuwhof some reasons why a church may need to close.

Should a Church Close? - Lewis Center for Church Leadership Lovett Weems captures a dilemma for church leaders and draws from Carey Nieuwhof some reasons why a church may need to close.

Why aren’t your members inviting others to church? Maybe you’ve been asking them to invite their friends & neighbors without giving them the tools they need to do it. Here are 13 practical ways to equip people to invite friends to church.

Equip Your People to Invite - Lewis Center for Church Leadership Church members are more likely to invite others to attend worship if you equip them with these 13 practical strategies.

How can church leaders lead in a way that is meaningful, sustainable, interesting, and makes an impact? In this interview, Heidi Brooks shares how everyday leadership brings for humanity.

Everyday Leadership and Hope for Humanity: An In-depth Interview with Heidi Brooks - Lewis Center for Church Leadership How can church leaders lead in such a way that is meaningful, sustainable, interesting and makes an impact? Heidi Brooks speaks about everyday leadership.

Research undertaken by the Lewis Center’s Religious Workforce Project confirms that the over-representation of older people in churches has become more pronounced. Here are 6 ways a church can respond to an aging membership base.

6 Opportunities for Churches with Aging Memberships - Lewis Center for Church Leadership Lovett Weems unpacks factors related to trend of church memberships growing older and identifies six ways congregations can respond.

Strong and growing congregations typically have a very high percentage of people who are actively involved in learning, serving, and leading. Here are 5 ways to help your congregation increase active engagement. Read all 50 ways here: https://ow.ly/xSmP50SJxiM

What do clergy leaders feel their formal training left them unprepared for? The Religious Workforce Project, a study by the Lewis Center, identified 5 areas that leaders felt their training lacked. Shari Finnell delves into all 5 (via Faith & Leadership).

Study reveals clergy leaders often lack adequate training in five key areas Survey respondents identify skill sets they must develop for their complex roles.

How would you assess your personal leadership ability? Dan Reiland explores seven essential requirements for effective leadership, encouraging leaders to reflect on their strengths and areas for improvement.

7 Essential Requirements for All Good Leaders - Lewis Center for Church Leadership Dan Reiland explores requirements for effective leadership, encouraging leaders to develop self-awareness & practice leadership skills.

Teresa Stewart has faith in the future of small congregations because she has faith in a God who shows up even in small and forgotten places. Small churches are critical learning labs as we navigate a future far too complex for one-size-fits-all .

Why Small Congregation Worship Matters - Lewis Center for Church Leadership Teresa Stewart says small churches are critical learning laboratories as they navigates a future too complex for one-size-fits-all patterns of ministry.

How do you effectively share your congregation’s story via social media to reach new people? Tim Welch offers seven tips for sharing your congregation’s story on various social media platforms.

7 Tips for Sharing Your Congregation’s Story on Social Media  - Lewis Center for Church Leadership How do you effectively share your congregation’s story via social media? Tim Welch offers seven tips for sharing your congregation’s story on social media.

One of the key variables in a successful pastoral transition is humility. Lee Kricher says it is difficult but essential that both outgoing and incoming pastors adopt an attitude of humility and respect for each other.

Humility is Critical to Successful Pastoral Transition - Lewis Center for Church Leadership Lee Kricher says successful pastoral transitions happen when both outgoing and incoming pastors adopt an attitude of humility and respect for one another.

By sustaining quality worship and programming, churches can prevent an anticipated drop in summer worship attendance from becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, says Ann A. Michel.

Avoiding a Summer Drop in Worship Attendance Ann Michel of the Lewis Center says by sustaining quality worship and programming, churches can minimize the drop in summer worship attendance.

Robert Schnase writes that a church can impact the number and quality of future pastoral leadership by having an effective youth . Mentors can help youth interpret their calls and support them as their journeys unfold.

Strong Youth Ministry and the Call to Ministry Robert Schbase writes that a church can impact the number and quality of future pastoral leadership by having an effective youth ministry.

How can an innovative exploration of Moses’ biblical narrative offer a more generous leadership model for today’s religious leaders? In this episode of Leading Ideas Talks, we speak with Kathleen McShane and Elan Babchuck authors of "Picking Up the Pieces: Leadership After Empire."

"Moses, Pyramids, and Leadership After Empire" featuring Kathleen McShane and Elan Babchuck - Lewis Center for Church Leadership How can Moses’s biblical narrative offer a more generous leadership model for today’s religious leaders? Doug Powe speaks about leadership with Kathleen McShane and Elan Babchuck, authors of Picking Up the Pieces: Leadership After Empire.

Storytelling is a relatable, memorable way to convey information and engage peoples’ hearts and minds. Justin Irving says effective leaders master the art of to engage stakeholders in the mission of their organizations.

Leaders Tell the Story of Their Organization - Lewis Center for Church Leadership Justin Irving says effective leaders master the art of storytelling to engage stakeholders in the mission of their organizations.

What is God calling your church to do in the near future given your church’s mission and context? Frederick Douglas Powe Jr and Lovett Weems outline key considerations for leaders seeking to innovate while also sustaining what is most essential in their ministries.

A New Model for Leading Change - Lewis Center for Church Leadership Doug Powe and Lovett Weems outline a change model for leaders who seek to innovate while also sustaining what is most essential in their ministries.