church leadership
The Cycle of Religious Disillusionment and Hope
Americans are navigating a cycle of disillusionment with religion, and more specifically, the Christian church. But new research shows why
June 13, 2025
Category: research
church leadership
The Importance of Being Dad
In Eighth Grade, writer/director Bo Burnham’s quiet sledgehammer of a film, Kayla is a socially awkward girl with her own
June 6, 2025
church leadership
The Power of Our Incarnational Magnet
At an international gathering of ministry leaders called Simply Jesus, I interviewed 15 leading Christian influencers, all of them well-known
May 30, 2025
church leadership
Dirt-y Ministry
Soil matters in botany… And it matters even more in ministry. At least, that’s what Jesus believes… 🙂 Consider the
May 23, 2025
church leadership
What We’re Learning: Ministry Lessons from a Mama Bluebird
We have a bluebird house in our backyard, left over from the previous owners. In the three years since we
May 15, 2025
church leadership
The Magnet of Belonging
New York Times reporter Lauren Jackson has spent a year deep-diving into America’s religious landscape, publishing regular updates through the
May 9, 2025
church leadership
Warriors for Parents In a Family-Unfriendly Culture
A quarter-century ago I worked with family ministry pioneer Ben Freudenburg on his groundbreaking book The Family-Friendly Church. Together, we
April 10, 2025
church leadership
The Superglue In Relational Ministry
Last fall, at a gathering of ministry leaders who are all part of a Lilly Endowment grant program called “Christian
April 4, 2025
church leadership
What We’re Learning: What Parents Bring With Them Into Church
Parents, even in ever-decreasing numbers, are the lifeblood of the church. Their children help us keep our standard programs running
March 7, 2025
faith formation
What We’re Learning: Pop-Up Conversations With Parents
What’s it like for parents to raise children today, especially if a growing relationship with God is important to them? And
August 28, 2024