Sabbaticals: An Exploration on the What, Why, and How of Pastoral Sabbaticals

When I mentioned the idea of taking an extended sabbatical to our elder chairman, a man of proven character and wisdom, he hesitantly said, “Huh, okay . . . I […]
Help! I’m Lonely: Good News for Lonely Leaders

I once heard Tim Keller say, “Wise leaders know that leaders are lonely, and they escape the trap of self-pity about it.” True, but Keller’s talk provided no answer to […]
The Unintended Consequences of the Modern Church

It’s a good season to reexamine the effectiveness of the modern church. Our commitment, as RENEW.org leaders, is to continually go back to Scripture, to restore and prioritize what it […]
Pastoral Burnout: Beating Burnout Before it Begins

Being a minister is hard. Being a lead minister in 2024, post-COVID in the United States, is harder than ever. Barna Research Group’s 2022 research revealed that 41% of lead ministers […]
Beyond the Headlines: Recognizing the Faithful Shepherds

The recent news that Robert Morris, pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, was involved in a serious offense against a twelve-year-old girl over thirty years ago is exceptionally troubling. […]
Revitalized Churches Start Listening

*Editor’s Note: In this series on church revitalization, Adam Jones, senior minister of Connect Christian Church in Carl Junction, MO, walks through important steps a declining church can take. Revitalization […]
Perspectives in Leadership: Leadership Is Stewardship

I prayed that God would give me wisdom to lead. In return, I was led down a path toward a special kind of slavery. I was initially intrigued when I […]
Summary of 1 Timothy: Understanding the Basics of 1 Timothy in the Bible

Here is a short summary of 1 Timothy: First Timothy is a personal letter from the apostle Paul to his friend and colleague in ministry, Timothy. Paul had traveled to […]