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Most pastors become pastors because of their love for people—not for spreadsheets. But in order to love people well, pastors and church leaders must be able to manage their ministries responsibly. In Managing the Ministry: A Practical Guide for Church Administration, Jody Dean provides an up-to-date and accessible guide to church operations. He covers essential topics such as: How to manage property, programs, and people Challenges of workflow, generational differences, and risk management Approaches to virtual and in-person attendance Leading and developing staff Personal development and devotion Managing the Ministry is the go-to resource for church leaders looking to build their administrative capabilities so they can lead their ministries with efficiency and effectiveness.

When Jeff Simmons started in ministry, he was surprised at how much of his time involved business. Yet business was never a part of his theological education.He's not alone. Most people in ministry receive little or no training in this area. When faced with multiple business decisions and tasks a day, leaders can become discouraged or frustrated.We need help and guidance to become effective and wise stewards of the money and resources entrusted to us by God. Pastor and entrepreneur Jeff Simmons equips you with the training you need to have the greatest kingdom impact. When pastors and nonprofit leaders are good at the business side of their ministry, more people can be blessed and supported.Simmons explores topics such as:The Tension between Faith and BusinessThe Importance of Strategic PlanningFinancial TransparencyResources and BuildingsWork and Life BalanceDeveloping a Community—and moreThis book will help every ministry, church, and nonprofit maximize their resources for greater kingdom impact.

Seminary is the perfect training ground for busyness: full course loads, looming deadlines, too-long-to-read assignments, practical internships, community involvement. Trained to be busy, clergy bring an “above and beyond” attitude of overworking to ministry settings that are also anxious to go (and grow) “above and beyond” to stay relevant. Break the cycle and—as author Liz Miller has done—learn to practice laziness as a spiritual gift.

In difficult times, relationships provide tangible help, advice, resources, and emotional support. This is true not only for individuals but also for religious congregations. U.S. congregations are experiencing many opportunities and challenges because of dramatic shifts in the American religious landscape as well as the lingering effects of the pandemic. For ministers and leaders at congregations, these changes may have sparked feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, and disorientation. Fortunately, relationships with other congregations and religious groups can have a positive impact on how congregations are responding to the opportunities and challenges they face in an uncertain future.In this book, Jennifer McClure draws on conversations with congregational ministers and leaders from central Alabama to share stories about the various kinds of relationships they have and what difference those relationships make, using this case study to make larger points about the broader congregational landscape in the United States. McClure focuses on several kinds of relationships: relationships primarily within religious groups, relationships exclusively within distinctive religious groups, relationships between religious groups, relationships within racial groups, and relationships between racial groups.For ministers and congregational leaders who are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and perhaps bewildered by all the changes that have taken place in their congregations and communities, this book is a timely and important resource to find support, ideas, and collaborations through relationships with other clergy members and congregations.

Reconnect Your Church provides a practical, road-tested vision and process to equip church leaders to reinvigorate their churchHow can churches stay healthy and dynamic over the long-term? What's needed to avoid or reverse church stagnation and decline?While some churches are vibrant and growing, many more are struggling, especially after Covid. The congregation might be declining and ageing, there's little success in reaching out to with the gospel, and more time is spent on inward facing problems than loving God and loving others. But the potential that could be released is huge.David Brown draws on his experience revitalising a church in central Paris to offer a vision and a process for church revitalisation, with a focus on UK and European contexts. Whether you are church planting, in a well-established and thriving church, or looking to turn around a church in decline, Brown provides biblically grounded wisdom along with change management principles for long-term health.When we reapply God's priorities to the church, we unleash new life and energy in following Christ in community.

How can churches do the work of becoming allies for the leaders they call? In belonging to a predominantly white denomination, ELCA members are called to listen and learn from its leaders of color to recognize the assumptions, biases, and harmful actions that result when congregations don't do the work to become allies. Authors offer wisdom, storytelling, and concrete suggestions for churches preparing to call a leader of color. Call to Allyship is a must-read for call committees, church councils, social justice teams, and anyone prepared to do the work of understanding, welcoming, and celebrating these leaders. Chapter 1 How to Read This Book by Rev. Angela T.!Khabeb Chapter 2 Intersectionality by Dr. Kelly Sherman-ConroyChapter 3 The Call Process by Bp. Patricia DavenportChapter 4 Embodied Ministry by Rev. Jenny SungChapter 5 Family Life by Rev. Priscilla Paris-AustinChapter 6 Compensation by Rev. Viviane Thomas-BreitfeldChapter 7 Nonrostered Leaders by Dr. Kelly Sherman-ConroyChapter 8 Allyship by Rev. Dr. Andrea WalkerChapter 9 Gifts of Leaders by Bp. Felix MalpicaChapter 10 What's Next by Rev. Angela T.!Khabeb

Most people would agree that the church is an amazing concept—the idea that people who share faith in Christ can worship and serve together and enjoy sweet fellowship that has love, forgiveness, and mutual support as its hallmarks. But the reality is often quite different.When people who are part of the church behave in ways that are thoughtless, selfish, and even vicious, then that shining ideal dims drastically and people get wounded, sometimes never to recover. Suddenly, the one place in the community that should symbolize hope and light becomes a house of horror. Why does this happen?The easy answer is to point an accusing finger at Satan, but what about our own culpability? Troublemakers in the Church: Dealing with the Difficult, the Dangerous, and the Deadly identifies twenty-five types of troublesome church members and offers insights on how to deal with them, while also offering a specific plan for how to build a church culture that manages and minimizes trouble.

Spurgeon is known for his sermons, but it is a wonderful study to learn from him the theology and practice which drove him and the Metropolitan Tabernacle to plant two hundred churches in and around London. How did they accomplish this? This book presents the story and principles of Spurgeon and his church which God taught and guided them to implement, and how pastors and churches today can apply them. Each of us need a solid model to take heart from and follow. Spurgeon and the Metropolitan Tabernacle meets that need. There is great wisdom and practical encouragement to be received from their example for every Christian, church leader, and pastor to enjoy for Christ's work. This work was written to help make this experience possible and probable under God's good blessings. Read, pray, reflect, grow, and go for the Savior and souls!

The Disciple Dilemma explains the realities and limitations of using classic business logic and strategy within the Christian community and makes the case that Christian leaders must restructure their organizations to conform to Christ's mission.