Lewis Center for Church Leadership

10/23/2026

Meet Rev. Dr. Ann Michel, one of the newest additions to our Board of Governors at . Her advice is to push through the pain and find ways to work with people we disagree with or find difficult.

Subscribe to our podcast at https://churchleadership.com/podcasts so that you never miss an episode.

10/22/2026

What makes people choose a church and keep coming back? Russ Bredholt Jr. examines research on worship attendance and the factors that shape a meaningful church experience, from preaching and hospitality to community and connection.

He challenges church leaders to look beyond attendance numbers and rethink how the entire worship experience can better serve their congregation.

What makes people choose a church and keep coming back? Explore how preaching, hospitality, and community shape worship and church attendance.

10/21/2026

As with any significant community change, clergy need to help their congregants navigate the personal, ethical and social terrain of AI, writes Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes. She directs the Technology, Innovation & Digital Engagement Lab at Union Theological Seminary.

Clergy can help congregants navigate the personal, ethical and social implications of AI as technology reshapes communities and everyday life.

10/20/2026

Rethink your analytics! Rev. Dr. Matt Rawle challenges us to rethink our church analytics. What if instead of counting how many children are at the children's moment, we counted how many were laughing?

Check out Matt's new book---cowritten by Rev. Dr. Rachel Billups---entitled "Dream, Dare, Disrupt: How Experiments, Risk, & Embracing Failure Can Build Life-Giving Ministry" at https://bit.ly/4yVHDQZ

Bookmark our podcast at https://churchleadership.com/podcast/ so that you never miss an episode.

10/20/2026

What does sustainable leadership look like when ministry leaders are navigating constant demands, anxiety, and competing expectations?

This episode of featuring Margaret Marcuson explores how clergy can lead with greater clarity, manage relationships and anxiety, establish healthy boundaries, and create space for rest and renewal.

Margaret Marcuson explores sustainable ministry, leadership, burnout, anxiety, boundaries, prayer, rest, and how clergy can lead effectively.

10/16/2026

What kind of reputation does your church have in the community? Laura Heikes suggests the answer may have less to do with your worship service or programs and more to do with how you show up in the life of your neighborhood.

Drawing on examples of churches turning overlooked resources into opportunities for hospitality, she offers a simple framework for discovering what God has already placed in your hands and the impact it can have on ministry.

Laura Heikes offers a simple framework for discovering what God has already placed in your hands to unlock the positive impact it can have on ministry.

10/16/2026

Lead with grace and pray often! Rev. Dr. Veronice Miles, Wesley Theological Seminary's Dean of Students and Professor of Preaching, admits that her pet peeve is when church leaders speak negatively about the people they are leading. If we lead with grace, we must bring out the best in others!

10/14/2026

Church leaders have a responsibility to advocate for children’s well-being and inspire their congregations to do the same.

Through the 2026 National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths, Trevor Beauford challenges faith communities to listen to children, advocate for their needs, and take meaningful action to address the challenges they face.

Children's Defense Fund

Read the full article here:

Trevor Beauford explains how church leaders can use Children’s Sabbaths to center children’s voices, advance justice, and turn faith into practical action.

10/13/2026

Motivation must come from within! Church leaders often try (unsuccessfully) to put insights into unmotivated volunteers. Margaret Marcuson reminds us that you cannot motivate people through external pressure alone.

View the full episode at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agNpezhNKKY

10/12/2026

Grants, Grants, and more Grants! 📝

Foundations and religious organizations are doing meaningful work to address community needs, yet too often, leaders on both sides don’t know how to connect with one another.

Foundations can benefit from the expertise, relationships, and community access that religious organizations bring. Religious organizations can benefit from the resources, connections, and perspectives that funders can offer.

In our latest blog, the Lake Institute team explores what can happen when these two sectors get to know one another and discover opportunities to work together.

Read the full blog on our website (link in bio)